BOSTON — The Vermont women's basketball team was selected third in the 2026-27 America East Preseason Poll, announced late Monday morning. The Catamounts earned 48 points and one first-place vote. In addition to the preseason poll, America East released its Preseason All-Conference Team, which featured UVM guard Malia Lenz.
RELATED LINKS
America East Release
2026 Schedule
2026 Roster
Voting was conducted by the conference's head coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own team. Binghamton was selected to win the conference with 60 points, finishing three points ahead of second-place UMBC, which received 57 points. Vermont and Maine rounded out the top four with 48 and 41 points. Bryant placed fifth with 40 points, followed by NJIT (29), UAlbany (25), New Hampshire (16), and UMass Lowell (8).
Lenz was selected to the Preseason All-Conference Team following a breakout junior season. She started all 35 games, averaging 7.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game while dishing out 0.9 assists. She also shot 45.2% from the field. Last season, Lenz pulled down 258 rebounds, which is tied for the seventh-most in a single season in program history.
2026-27 Preseason Poll
1. Binghamton 60 (6)
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
2026-27 Preseason All-Conference Team
Name Pos. Yr. School
Kendall Bennett F Sr. Binghamton
Malia Lenz G/F Sr. Vermont
Mia Mancini G Jr. Bryant
Bella Pucci G Sr. Binghamton
Nia Scott F Sr. Bryant
Heidi Williams G So. UMBC
Vermont opens the 2026-27 regular season Monday, Nov. 2, against Keene State. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. at Patrick Gym. Before the regular-season opener, the Catamounts will host Saint Michael's College in an exhibition game Wednesday, Oct. 28, at Patrick Gym. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.
For news and updates about the Vermont women's basketball program, follow @UVMwbb on X and Facebook, @Catamountsbb on Instagram, and visit UVMathletics.com.
