Posted: Nov 10, 2016

Women's Basketball Tabbed Second In NECC Preseason Poll

Chris Kendrick (@CKendrick86)

ATTLEBORO, Mass. – The Elms College women's basketball team has been selected to finish second in the 2016 New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Women's Basketball Coaches' Poll, announced by the league office Thursday.

The Blazers received 83 points to finish behind unanimous favorite Regis College. Elms will be bringing back six players from the 2015 squad, who finished with a 15-13 overall record and a 13-5 mark in conference play. Third-year head coach Michelle Proulx returns three starters, including 2015 All-NECC Second Team selection senior Emily Burr (East Hartford, Conn.). Burr led the Blazers offense with a team-high 12.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists in a team-high 30.6 minutes per game. Senior Alexandra Marques (Newington, Conn.) will look to build on a solid junior campaign where she average 6.0 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, collecting a pair of double-doubles on the season. Junior Mackenzie LaRochelle (Chicopee, Mass.) earn NECC All-Tournament Team honors after the Blazers run to the 2015 NECC Championship semifinals. LaRochelle posted career-highs in points (222), rebounds (112), field goals made (83), assists (44), steals (30), and blocks (6) during her sophomore campaign.

The Blazers will open the 2016-17 season at Picknelly Arena in a non-conference season opener against Castleton Tuesday, November 15^th at 7:00 p.m.

Regis College was unanimously tabbed to win the NECC Women's Basketball title. The Pride took home all the first place votes for a total of 100 points in the coaches' preseason poll. Regis will look to their strong returning presence to finish at the top of the NECC this season. The Pride return two 2016 All-NECC first team members, including the 2016 Player of the Year Amanda Hawkesworth. They are led by the 2016 NECC Coach of the Year, Angela Santa Fe, who is also bringing in some standout newcomers to compliment her returning talent.

Wheelock finished just behind with 77 points, good for third in the poll. Four of the Wildcat starters are back from last season and will hope to have a strong showing in 2016-17. Michelle Woods earned 2016 All-NECC First Team honors and will be looked to throughout the season. Wheelock will look their new head coach for guidance throughout the season.

Fourth in the standings was Mitchell College with 72 points. The Mariners have two returning starters and eight returners from last seasons team. They will look to their rookies to step up this season under fourth year head coach MaryLynn Skarzenski.

Fifth in the polls was Daniel Webster College with 49 points, while Newbury College finished just behind in sixth with 48 points.

Closing out the polls is Southern Vermont College (42 points), Becker College (37 points), Bay Path University (23 points), and Lesley University (19 points).

Most NECC teams will begin their seasons with nonconference match ups on Tuesday, November 15^th. NECC play begins for all teams on Tuesday, November 29^th.

2016-17 NECC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll