BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Coming off a pair of highly competitive victories over previously unbeaten teams, the Navy women's basketball program was at the forefront of Monday's Patriot League weekly awards announcement. The backcourt duo of Zanai Barnett-Gay and Zoe Mesuch were recognized as the Patriot League Player and Rookie of the Week, respectively for their effort versus Longwood and Florida this past week.

The 2025-26 Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year, Barnett-Gay has continued the fast start to her campaign as she averaged a double-double in wins over Longwood on Wednesday and the University of Florida on Sunday. The Glenn Dale, Maryland native began her week with 25 points and 13 rebounds to go along with six assists on Wednesday before coming back on Sunday and clinching Navy's first win over an SEC team since 1998 with 17 of her game-high 22 points in the second half against the Gators. She added eight boards, two assists and two steals in action against Florida. For the week, she averaged 23.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals, while shooting 50.0% (14-28) from the field, 50.0% (6-12) from three-point range and 76.5 percent (13-17) from the foul line.

Mesuch was equally as key to Navy's 2-0 week as she paced the Mids' outside shooting marksmanship as she knocked down a team-high eight three-pointers in action versus a 2-0 Longwood team and a 4-0 Florida squad. On Wednesday against the Lancers she tallied 15 points on 6-15 shooting with three three-pointers to go along with three assists in 31 minutes of action. On Sunday when facing an SEC foe, the Clintondale, New York native sparked Navy's upset win over Florida with a nearly perfect 5-6 showing from three-point range in the opening half. The Gators changed up their defense to focus more heavily on her in the second half, but it was too late and the Mids went on to win 69-54 and capture the just the program's fourth-ever win versus a Power 4 team. For the week, Mesuch averaged 15.0 points, 4.0 three-pointers, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, while shooting 40.7 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from long range.

These are the first weekly honors for the Navy program in 2025-26. For her career, Barnett-Gay has now earned six Patriot League Player of the Week nods during her first three years with the Mids. She now is in sole possession of number one all-time in program history for the most Patriot League Player of the Week awards as she surpassed Adria Schneck, who was recognized five times during the 1994-95, 1995-96 and 1996-97 seasons.

Barnett-Gay and Mesuch will be back in action with their Navy teammates on Wednesday evening with a non-conference matchup versus Rider University. The Mids and Broncs will tip off at 7 p.m. at Alumni Hall.