Maine Maritime and SUNY Cobleskill claim top spots in NAC women’s basketball preseason polls

Maine Maritime and SUNY Cobleskill claim top spots in NAC women’s basketball preseason polls

WATERVILLE, Maine – 2022 North Atlantic Conference champion Maine Maritime Academy was tabbed to repeat atop the NAC East Division standings while SUNY Cobleskill, who advanced to last year’s West semifinal game, were picked to win the West Division, in preseason voting among the conference’s head coaches. 
 
Maine Maritime received four first-place votes in the NAC East Division poll, earning 46 points. Close behind the Mariners and earning the remaining three first-place votes was Husson with 45 points. UMaine-Presque Isle rounded out the top three in the East with 35 points. Thomas College (22 points) and VTSU Lyndon (21 points) came in fourth and fifth respectively, with Lesley (14 points) and UMaine-Farmington (13 points) completing the East preseason poll rankings. 
 
In the West Division, SUNY Cobleskill earned six first-place votes, acquiring 47 points to receive the top spot in the poll. NAC newcomer SUNY Morrisville came in second with 36 points. SUNY Canton and SUNY Poly (one first-place vote) tied for third place with 35 points. Rounding out the West poll is Eastern Nazarene (20 points), VTSU Johnson (15 points), and SUNY Delhi (8 points). 
 
The 2023-24 regular season kicks off on Wednesday, Nov. 8, with the first set of conference matches to take place in the West division on Tuesday, Nov. 28 with SUNY Cobleskill hosting Eastern Nazarene and SUNY Poly traveling to SUNY Morrisville. The rest of the conference will begin conference play Dec. 1-2. 
 
The 2023-24 Women’s Basketball Tournament will begin on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 and end with the championship game on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024. The women’s East Division champion will host the West Division winner. 
 
Complete poll results and capsule previews for the North Atlantic Conference’s 14 teams are below: 
 
EAST DIVISION 
 
1.  Maine Maritime – 46 points (4 first-place votes)
Head Coach: Craig Dagan (373-194 (.658)/22 seasons)
2022-23 Record: 22-7 overall, 9-1 / T-1 in NAC East 
Top Returning Players: 
Erianna Moore – G, junior, Fitchburg Mass., 11.34 PPG, 6.03 RPG, NAC Second Team All-Conference and MWBCA Second Team All-State.
Maria Barela – G, junior, Albuquerque, N.M., 13.27 PPG, 5.62 RPG, NAC Second Team All-Conference and MWBCA Second Team All-State.
Grace Huntwork – G, sophomore, Gretna, Nebraska, 7.52 PPG, 2.83 RPG, NAC Sportsmanship Team and MWBCA All-Rookie Team.
Top Newcomers 
Sydney Loring – F, sophomore, Bradley, Maine, 3.09 PPG and 3.05 RPG. Earned NAC Winter/Spring All-Academic Team honors.
Hailey Blanchard – G, first year, Colorado Springs, Colo, Competed for Colorado Basketball Club, Four years of basketball at The Vanguard School and All-time leader in multiple statistical categories: 1,229 points / 431 assists / 303 steals / 97 blocks. 
 
2.  Husson University – 45 points (3 first-place votes) 
Head Coach: Kissy Walker (570-288/32 Seasons)
2023-24 Record: 20-7 overall, 13-1 / T-1 in NAC East
Top Returning Players: 
Bailey Donovan – C, Gr., Island Falls, Maine, 15.2 ppg, 13.5 rpg - NAC player of the year, NAC defensive player of the year, All-State first team, All-Region third team. d3hoops.com second team.
Hannah Richard – G, Jr. Bradley, Maine, 9.4 ppg, 1.9 rpg
Lauren Cook – G, Jr. Charlotte, Maine, 6.4 ppg
Makaelyn Porter – G, Sr., Smyrna Mills, Maine, 6.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg
Trinity Montigny – G, Sr. Mariaville, Maine, 5.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg
Top Newcomers: 
Sofia Torres-Reyes – G, Jr. Ventura, Calif.
Danielle Dow – G, So., Pittsfield, Maine
Elizabeth Wyman – F, So. East Millinocket, Maine
Callaway LePage – F, Fr. Skowhegan, Maine
 
3.  UMaine-Presque Isle – 35 points 
Head Coach: Gavin Kane (42-61/6 seasons  525-117/35 seasons high school)
2023-24 Record: 15-11 overall, 8-6 / 3rd in NAC East 
Top Returning Players: 
Emily Wheaton – PG, Grad, Presque Isle/ME, 19.3 PPG, 4.2 APG, 1st Team All-North Atlantic Conference
Alexis Ireland – F, Senior, Howland/ME, 12.5 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 3rd Team All-North Atlantic Conference
Aleia Milano – G, Senior, Lake County/CA, 11.5 PPG, 3.1 APG
Top Newcomers: 
Indya Smith – SO, Fresno/CA, 14.6 PPG, 9.6 RPG as a High School Senior
Lindsay Hamilton – FR, Benton/ME, 19 PPG, 10.3 RPG as a High School Senior
 
4.  Thomas College – 22 points 
Head Coach: Jason Coleman (4-21/1 season)
2023-24 Record: 4-21 overall, 2-8 / 5th in NAC East
Top Returning Players: Has 11 players returning from 2022 roster
 
5.  VTSU Lyndon – 21 points 
Head Coach: Brennen Morton (0-0, First Season)
2023-24 Record: 10-15 overall, 5-5 / T-3rd in NAC
Top Returning Players: 
Sage Smith – G, Junior, Colebrook, NH, 12.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3rd Team All-Conference
Riann Fortin – F, Junior, Newport, VT, 12.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg
Saleena Porter – F, Graduate Student, St. Johnsbury, VT, 6.5 ppg, 8.8 rpg
Kerigan Disorda – G, Senior, Benson, VT, 3.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg
Top Newcomers: 
Leilani Medina – G, Freshman Laredo, TX, 3-time All-District selection
Gray Hoselton – G, Freshman, Fargo, ND
Briona Graham – G, Freshman, Port Arthur, TX
Riley Webster – G, Freshman, Upton, MA, 2nd Team All-conference selection
 
6.  Lesley University – 14 points 
Head Coach: Martin Rather (0-0, First Season)
2023-24 Record: 4-20 overall, 0-7 in NECC
Top Returning Players: 
Jordain Blair – Shooting Guard, Sr., Melbourne, FL, 3.3 PPG 
Alex Kerley – C, Sr., Boca Raton, FL, 366 total points, 7.8 REB/G
Top Newcomers: 
Savannah Gravitt – G, Fr. Richmond Hill, GA - All Region Team
Saniyyah Phillips – Point Guard, Fr., Boston, MA
 
7.  UMaine-Farmington – 13 points 
Head Coach: Nate Carson (12-31, 2 seasons)
2023-24 Record: 2-21 overall, 0-10 / 6th in NAC East
Top Returning Players: 
Grace Dwyer – G, Sophomore, Manchester, Maine - 8.6 ppg, 2.8 apg, 3.8 rpg
Jaycie Stevens – G, Senior, Pittston, Maine - 5.7 ppg, 2.8 apg, 3.8 rpg
Maddy White – G, Senior, Waldoboro, Maine - 8.4 ppg, 1.9 rpg,
Ruby McMinis – G/F, Sophomore, Wells, Maine - 4.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg
Jacqui Hamilton – F, Senior, Gorham, Maine - 8.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg
Top Newcomers: 
Jessica Dow – G/F, Freshman, Saco, Maine 
Melissa Mayo – G, F, Bridgton, Maine
Sarah Poli – F, Junior, Benton, Maine
 
 
WEST DIVISION 
 
1.  SUNY Cobleskill – 47 points (6 first-place votes) 
Head Coach: Megan Bowman (43-36/Four Seasons)
2023-24 Record: 16-10 overall, 8-2 / 2nd NAC West
Top Returning Players: 
Emily Satterday – F/C So. Latham N.Y.: 10.5 PPG, 12.6 RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.0 SPG-NAC Rookie-of-the-Year/Third Team All-NAC
Talia Washington – G, So. Schenectady NY, 9.9 PPG, 3.1 APG, 2.9 RPG, 1.2 SPG 
Annie Canales – G. Jr. North Adams MA, 8.7 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.9 SPG
Taylor Meacham – G, Jr. Berne NY, 7.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.7 BPG
Top Newcomers: 
Cara Walker – G/F Jr. Phelps N.Y.: Transfer from Morrisville State 13.3 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Antonia May – G, Jr. Amsterdam N.Y.: Transfer from UMBC 0.6 PPG, 0.8 RPG
 Kyra Pence – G, First-year, Randolph N.Y.:  CCAA West I Co-Player of the Year
 
2.  SUNY Morrisville – 36 points 
Head Coach: Erin Rotchford (119-71, 7 seasons)
2023-24 Record: 20-8 overall, 14-2 United East, Regular season / Tournament Champions
Top Returning Players: 
Brooke Hammersley – G/F, Sr., 13.8 PPG, 7.6 RPG, United East All-Conference
Top Newcomers: 
Anyssia Ingersoll - (first year, Mexico, NY)
Hannah Bonczkowski - (first year, Gilbertsville-Mount Upton, NY)
Morrisville graduated more than half of their scoring (55%) and 40% of their rebounding from last year’s roster, including three starters. 
 
T-3. SUNY Canton – 35 points 
Head Coach: Chris Klassen (27-28, 3 Seasons)
2023-24 Record: 14-12 overall, 6-4 / ­­­3rd in NAC West
Top Returning Players: 
Hope Aniceto – Sophomore G - Bolingbrook, IL | NAC Third Team, 3x NAC Rookie of the Week
Samantha Dayter – Senior G - Cohoes, NY | Led team with 127 assists (4.8/game); Averaged 7.8 PPG & 6.8 RPG
Emma Perez – Sophomore Point Guard - Austin, TX; averaged 5.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.3 APG
Jayda Pina – Junior C - Tuscon, AZ - started 13 of 26 games; averaged 6.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG
Top Newcomers: 
Natalie Bartle – Senior G – Negaunee, MI | Averaged 22.3 PPG (8th in D-III), 7.1 RPG, 4.8 APG, 3.7 SPG last year at Finlandia; Conference POTY & DPOTY, 2nd Team All-Region
Torie Moore – Junior G – Harrisville, NY | Averaged 15.4 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.6 APG, 2.6 SPG at Jefferson Community College last season; Named NJCAA Region III D-III All-Region Team
Sierra Pabo – Freshman G – San Jose, CA | Averaged 20 PPG, 7 APG, 3 RPG; League MVP
 
T-3. SUNY Poly – 35 (1 first-place vote)
Head Coach: Jessica Skelton (298-158, 18 seasons)
2023-24 Record: 15-13 overall, 10-0 / 1st in NAC West
Top Returning Players: 
Kiera Conner – C, Sr, Blossvale, N.Y. 8.6ppg, 9.6rpg
Kelsey Meca – So., Mayfield, N.Y., 4.5ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.8a/g
Top Newcomers: N/A
 
5.  Eastern Nazarene – 20 points 
Head Coach: Didier Dinh (24-24/Two seasons)
2023-24 Record: 11-15 overall
Top Returning Players: 
Delaney Walker – G, Sr., Nampa, Idaho, 13.3 PPG, 1.1 RPG
Anaira Ayala – G, So., Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, 10.7 PPG, 1.4 RPG
Top Newcomers: N/A
 
6.  VTSU Johnson – 15 points 
Head Coach: Greg Eckman (75-207/Twelve Seasons)
2023-24 Record: 12-14 overall, 4-6 / 4th in NAC West
Top Returning Players: 
Gabby Wardwell – C, Sr, Springfield, VT, 15ppg, 19rpg.  NAC 3rd team all-conference
Top Newcomers: 
Sasha Khomutetsky – PG, FY, Hollywood, CA, 28ppg
 
7.  SUNY Delhi – 8 points 
Head Coach: Rasul Jackson (9-42 Two Seasons, first season at SUNY Delhi)
2023-24 Record: 2-22 overall, 0-10 / 6th in NAC West
Top Returning Players: 
Jayda Allen – F, Sr., Brooklyn, NY, 10.6 PPG, 5.2 RPB
Top Newcomers: 
Rylee Falcone – F, Fr., Oneonta, NY 
Kyra Richards – G, Fr., New York, NY