Orono, Maine — The University of Maine women’s basketball team has been selected second in the America East Preseason Coaches Poll, as announced on Thursday morning.
Adrianna Smith, the reigning America East Player of the Year, and Anne Simon each were selected to the Preseason All-Conference Team.
The Black Bears earned 58 points in the poll and a pair of first-place tallies. Maine trailed 2023 America East champion Vermont in the poll as the Catamounts were selected first with 63 votes and seven first place selections. Following Maine in the poll was UAlbany (48), Binghamton (39), NJIT (38), and UMBC (32). Bryant (18), New Hampshire (17), and UMass Lowell (11) rounded out the nine team field.
Maine returns all five starters from last year’s team which finished the year third in the America East with a 16-14 overall mark and an 11-5 conference record. The Black Bears will welcome back 97% of its scoring from a year ago including each of its top eight point scorers including Smith who led the America East in both scoring (17.9) and rebounding (9.5) while adding 16 double-doubles on the season. Simon, a two-time America East first team selection, also returns a year after averaging 13.6 points and 4.1 rebounds in an injury shortened season. Three-point threats Caroline Bornemann (9.1 ppg) and Olivia Rockwood (6.8 ppg) also return to bolster Maine’s offensive output. The Black Bears will also welcome back Anna Kahelin who started the first game of the 2022-23 season before suffering a season-ending injury in the opener.
Four-time America East Coach of the Year Amy Vachon returns at the helm of the Black Bears as she will look to guide Maine to its fifth regular season championship and third America East tournament title in her eighth year as head coach.
Maine opens its season on Nov. 6 with a trip to Quinnipiac before meeting La Salle on Nov. 9. The Black Bears host UMass on Nov. 12 in the home opener at Memorial Gymnasium.
Season packages and single game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting GoBlackBears.com/tickets, by phone at 207-581-BEAR, or in-person at the Alfond Arena box office.
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