BOSTON, MASS. - Bryant women's basketball junior
Mia Mancini was named to the America East Women's Basketball Preseason All-Conference team, while the Black and Gold were picked third in the preseason coaches poll on Monday afternoon.
The Bulldogs enjoyed a successful season last season, in Lynne-Ann Kokoksis' second year as head coach. Bryant hosted Binghamton in the Quarterfinals for the second consecutive year and made the Semifinals for the first time in DI program history. The Bulldogs also hosted Army in the first round of the WNIT. This was the second time in DI program history that Bryant has made a postseason, and the first time they participated in the WNIT. Bryant went 17-15 and 10-7 in conference, this is the second straight season of 15+ wins, and the mark of 10 AE wins was the most in DI program history.
Vermont was picked first with seven first-place votes, while defending champion Maine was selected second with two first-place votes. The Bulldogs were selected third, followed by UAlbany, NJIT, Binghamton, New Hampshire, UMBC, and UMass Lowell. The Black and Gold's third-place selection is the highest preseason ranking as members of the AE.
Mia Mancini earned preseason honors for the second consecutive year. Mancini has been named America East Rookie of the Year and made the All-Rookie, Third, and Second teams in her two seasons with the Black and Gold. Mancini registered seven 20+ point games and 18 games of 10+ points in 32 games. She recorded her first two career double-doubles against CCSU and UMBC. Mancini had a career-high 3.2 assists per game and tied her career-high of nine assists twice, while posting 25 games of two-plus assists. She registered her second consecutive season of averaging 10+ points (10.9) and shooting 30% from deep.
The Bulldogs are returning six players Mancini,
Martina Boba,
Maranda Nyborg, Oliva Fernandez,
Nia Scott, and
Mimi Rubino. The Black and Gold then added three transfers,
Abbey Lindsey,
Rose Nelson, and
Madara Liepniece, while also bringing in four freshmen (
Jaida Guerra,
Azanah Campbell,
Izzy Adams, and
Giselle Davis) this offseason.
The Black and Gold will begin the season at the Chace Athletic Center on November 3rd against Central Connecticut with a 6:00 p.m. start time.
2025-26 Preseason Poll
1. Vermont 63 (7)
2. Maine 55 (2)
3. Bryant 46
4. UAlbany 42
5. NJIT 37
6. Binghamton 26
7.UNH 24
8. UMBC 23
9. UMass Lowell 8
2025-26 Preseason All-Conference Team
Mia Mancini G Jr. Bryant
Eva DeChent G Jr. New Hampshire
Catherine Gilwee G Sr. Vermont
Nikola Priede F Sr. Vermont
Adrianna Smith F Sr. Maine
Alejandra Zuniga G Sr. NJIT
