Photo by: Katie Moyes
Women's Basketball selected fourth in America East preseason poll
9/28/2026 11:30:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Black Bears open the season Nov. 5 at home against Siena
ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team has been selected fourth in the America East Preseason Poll, as announced as part of the America East Media Day on Sept. 28.
Binghamton was selected by the league's head coaches as the preseason favorites after garnering 60 total votes and six first place tallies. UMBC was selected second with 57 votes and a pair of first place predictions while defending champion Vermont earned the third slot with 48 votes and a single first place mark. Maine earned 41 votes in fourth following by Bryant (40), NJIT (29), UAlbany (25), New Hampshire (16), UMass Lowell (8).
The Black Bears, who return 10 from last year's team which finished as the America East runner-ups with a 12-4 conference mark and 19 total wins, begin the season on Nov. 5 when they host Siena at 6 p.m. as part of the America East-Metro Basketball Challenge.
Lala Woods is Maine's top returning scorer after averaging 8.4 points with a 30.4-percent clip from downtown. The Black Bears also welcome back Kaliyah Sain who averaged 8.4 points in eight games before suffering a season-ending injury. Starting guard Olivia Alvarez enters her sophomore season after starting 23 of the 32 games while Lizzy Gruber, who also appeared in all 32 games, returns after featuring 4.3 points and 2.7 rebounds.
Limited season tickets for the 2026-27 campaign are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting GoBlackBears.com/Tickets or by calling 207.581.BEAR. Single game tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 8:30 a.m.
2026-27 Preseason Poll
1. Binghamton (60 votes) - Six first place selections
2. UMBC (57) - 2
3. Vermont (48) - 1
4. Maine (41)
5. Bryant (40)
6. NJIT (29)
7. UAlbany (25)
8. New Hampshire (16)
9. UMass Lowell (8)
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Binghamton was selected by the league's head coaches as the preseason favorites after garnering 60 total votes and six first place tallies. UMBC was selected second with 57 votes and a pair of first place predictions while defending champion Vermont earned the third slot with 48 votes and a single first place mark. Maine earned 41 votes in fourth following by Bryant (40), NJIT (29), UAlbany (25), New Hampshire (16), UMass Lowell (8).
The Black Bears, who return 10 from last year's team which finished as the America East runner-ups with a 12-4 conference mark and 19 total wins, begin the season on Nov. 5 when they host Siena at 6 p.m. as part of the America East-Metro Basketball Challenge.
Lala Woods is Maine's top returning scorer after averaging 8.4 points with a 30.4-percent clip from downtown. The Black Bears also welcome back Kaliyah Sain who averaged 8.4 points in eight games before suffering a season-ending injury. Starting guard Olivia Alvarez enters her sophomore season after starting 23 of the 32 games while Lizzy Gruber, who also appeared in all 32 games, returns after featuring 4.3 points and 2.7 rebounds.
Limited season tickets for the 2026-27 campaign are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting GoBlackBears.com/Tickets or by calling 207.581.BEAR. Single game tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 8:30 a.m.
2026-27 Preseason Poll
1. Binghamton (60 votes) - Six first place selections
2. UMBC (57) - 2
3. Vermont (48) - 1
4. Maine (41)
5. Bryant (40)
6. NJIT (29)
7. UAlbany (25)
8. New Hampshire (16)
9. UMass Lowell (8)
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Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Center
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's BasketballMonday, July 13
Monday, March 09
Thursday, March 05
Saturday, February 28
