Posted: Nov 13, 2014

Women's Basketball Selected Third in NECC Preseason Poll

CHICOPEE, Mass. – The Elms College women's basketball team was picked third in the 2014-15 New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Women's Basketball Coaches Preseason Poll, released by the league office Thursday morning.

The Blazers received 66 total points, with three second-place votes and seven third-place selections. Elms will returning eight players, including NECC Player of the Year senior forward Denisha Parks (Fall River, Mass.), from a squad who finished with a 18-10 overall record, and a 15-3 mark in conference play.

"I'm really excited about our team this year," said Elms Head Coach Michelle Proulx. "We have a great mix of new and veteran faces that are meshing really well together under our new system offensively and defensively. We have great leadership from our upperclassmen and some of our younger kids are starting to emerge as leaders. We are excited about our potential and where we can be by the end of this season if we continue to put the work it."

Regis College was the unanimous top pick for the number one spot after posting a perfect 18-0 record in the NECC en route to a conference championship. The Pride finished 23-5 overall and fell to Montclair (N.J.) in the NCAA Division III Championship tournament.

Mitchell College checked in at second with 77 total votes, garnering seven second-place selections and three third-place votes. The Mariners were 15-3 in the NECC last season, and clipped by the Blazers in the conference tournament to wrap a 16-10 campaign.

Daniel Webster College was selected fourth, followed by Becker College in fifth, Bay Path University at sixth, Wheelock College in seventh, Newbury College at eighth, Southern Vermont in ninth, and Lesley rounded out the conference field in tenth.

The Blazers will tip off their 2014-15 season with a trip to Castleton State College for the Rutland Herald Tip Off Classic this weekend. Elms will open the season against Bates Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m., followed by a game against Mount Holyoke Sunday at noon.

2014-14 NECC Women's Basketball Coaches Preseason Poll

1. Regis College (90 points, 9 first-place votes)

2. Mitchell College (77 points)

3. Elms College (66 points)

4. Daniel Webster College (47 points)

5. Becker College (44 points)

6. Bay Path University (33 points)

7. Wheelock College (30 points)

8. Newbury College (29 points)

9. Southern Vermont College (26 points)

10. Lesley University (8 points)

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