Bates
Last year: 17-8, lost in NESCAC quarterfinals.
Top Returning Players: Sr. G Lauren Dobish, So. G Meredith Kelly, Sr. G Kelsey Flaherty, Jr. G Allie Beaulieu, Sr. G Annie Burns, Jr. C Brianna Hawkins, Jr. F Taryn O’Connell.
Overview: Last year’s 17 wins were the most for Bates since 2005-2006. The Bobcats return much of last year’s roster, including Dobish (9.3 ppg), Beaulieu (11.3 ppg) and Burns, a MWBCA first-team pick. Flaherty also returns after missing the last nine games of the season to injury.
Bowdoin
Last year: 24-6, were NESCAC finalists and reached the NCAA’s Sweet 16.
Top Returning Players: Sr. G Jill Henrikson; Jr. G Kaitlin Donahoe, Sr. F Nicole Coombes, Sr. F Alexa Barry, Soph. G Kirsten Prue.
Overview: The Polar Bears are ranked 11th in the ESPN/USA Today Division III poll released by the WBCA. D3Hoops.com ranks Bowdoin 14th in its preseason poll. Bowdoin returns four of its top five scorers from last year, including Henrikson (11 ppg), Donahoe (8.5 ppg) and Coombes (8.5 ppg). The Polar Bears are 70-18 the last three seasons.
Colby
Last year: 22-6, reached the NCAA Division III tourney for the second straight year.
Top Returning Players: Sr. F Rachael Mack, Soph. G Diana Manduca, Sr. G Aarika Ritchie, Sr. F Jill Vaughan.
Overview: Former Maine standout Julie Veilleux takes over as coach of the Mules. Colby returns four starters and were ranked 16 in the D3hoops.com poll and 20th in the USAToday/ESPN poll. Mack Led the NESCAC in rebounding (8.2) and was fourth in scoring (12.5) last year. Ritchie chipped in 10.5 points while Vaughan averaged 9.0 and 5.5 rebounds.
Husson
Last year: 16-12, won NAC Championship and lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Top Returning Players: Sr. G Amanda Gifford, Sr. G Brianne Hanscom, Soph. F Stephanie Comstock.
Overview: Husson are the two-time defending NAC champs but were picked to finish second this year in a preseason poll. The squad returns nine players from last year, led by Gifford, the NAC Tourney MVP, who averaged 10 points per game. Hanscom (9.1 ppg) and Comstock (8.1) are also returning regulars, but Husson still has to replace the double-digit scoring of Bethany Sevey.
Maine Maritime Academy
Last year: 17-10
Top Returning Players: Sr. F Sam Goda, Sr. G Brittany Green, Sr. G Kayley Rodriguez, Sr. Maggie Smith.
Overview: Goda was an All-NAC first team player with 13 points and 8.5 rebounds last year. Smith added 11 points per game for MMA. The Mariners, picked fourth in the NAC preseason poll, have plenty of experience returning. Mt. Blue’s Jillian Perron is one of three freshman on the squad looking to contribute.
Saint Joseph’s College
Last year: 18-9, lost in GNAC semifinal
Top Returning Players: Sr. F Ashley Geel, Sr. G Megan McDevitt, Sr. G Allie Parent, Soph. G Mackenzie Dufour.
Overview: The Monks return four starters and their top six scorers, led by Geel (11.6 ppg) and McDevitt (9.8 ppg). Former Oxford Hills guard Melanie Cloutier returns after missing last year with an injury.
Thomas
Last year: 8-15
Top Returning Players: Sr. G Karin Bird, Jr. G Ashley Matchett, So. G Katie Thibodeau, So. G Morgan Hutchins.
Overview: Thomas has a new coach in Ted Rioux, who coached Waterville High School last year. The club was picked eighth in the NAC preseason poll. Thomas has just four returning players, led by Bird, who averaged 20 points a year and Hutchins, a former Dirigo veteran.
University of Maine at Farmington
Last year: 12-14, lost in NAC semifinals
Top Returning Players: Jr. G Kenni Norton, Sr. G Emma Morrison, Sr. F Paige Saunders, So. G Holly Oliver,
Overview: The Beavers graduated the bulk of its scoring. Norton is the only double-digit scorer returning, and she may not be ready to play until next month. UMF was picked fifth in the preseason NAC poll.
University of New England
Last year: 24-7, won ECAD Division III New England Championship
Top Returning Players: Sr. G Kari Pelletier, Jr. G Liz LeBlanc, Sr. G Kelley Paradis, Sr. F Margo Russell, Jr. F Beth Suggs.
Overview: UNE was picked first in the CCC preseason poll after posting a school-record 24 wins last year. Paradis (15.9 ppg) was a CCC first-team all-star while Russell (12.9 ppg) was a second-team pick. Pelletier, from Oxford Hills, is also a returning starter while LeBlanc, from Jay, was a regular off the bench.
University of Southern Maine
Last year: 18-11, lost in ECAC Division III New England Women’s Basketball Championship
Top Returning Players: Sr. G Nicole Garland; Sr. F Courtney Cochran; Sr. G Renee Nicholas; Soph G Erin McNamara; Jr. G Haley Jordan.
Overview: Coach Gary Fifield is just 20 wins shy of 600. Cochran averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds to earn All-Little East Conference and Maine Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (MWBCA) honors. Cochran was also selected to the New England Women’s Basketball Association (NEWBA) All-Region second team. Nicholas was an All-LEC Defensive team pick and averaged 8.7 points.
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