2024 Women’s Basketball Team Previews
Stonehill
Mercyhurst
FDU
Le Moyne
Saint Francis
Central Connecticut
Chicago State
Wagner
LIU
Le Moyne Dolphins Women’s Basketball Season Preview: 2024-25
Change is both eternal and inevitable in college basketball. Le Moyne had an impressive debut in Division I last season, earning a spot in the WNIT as an automatic qualifier. In this sport, though, even success- rare success, like Le Moyne enjoyed during a transitional year- merits change. Head Coach Nick DiPillo, who’s had experience as the head man at Scranton and previously worked for the WNBA’s New York Liberty, will be the leader for Le Moyne as they continue to change. It’ll be his first year with the program, and he’ll be the architect of the program that’ll determine if they continue to grow and develop into a consistent force in NEC play. Located in the basketball-obsessed metropolis of Syracuse, NY, there can be no doubt that when Le Moyne makes noise, people will hear it.
Coach DiPillo welcomes two true freshmen and a redshirt freshman transfer from Youngstown State, alongside three other transfers who will immediately contribute to the team’s success. Their rotation will primarily consist of experienced players, with Siera Linnin and Haedyn Roberts leading the way. In fact, it’s likely their 7 most active players will all be upperclassmen. Change is certainly the theme of the season for Le Moyne, but the maturity this squad has will be a huge boost with navigating that change as they embark on the year.
The Dolphins excelled last season and will look to remain in the upper echelon of the NEC. With the right chemistry, this team is poised for another strong year near the top of the NEC.
Projected Rotation
Siera Linnin (G, Junior) – As the top returning scorer, Linnin is the star of this team, averaging 8.1 points per game while logging over 27 minutes per game. Expect her to play a crucial role offensively and continue to lead from the guard position. Her minutes per game and opportunities should increase, and with the experience gained from the last two seasons with the Dolphins we expect her points per game to take a jump into the double digits.
Haedyn Roberts (F, Grad) – Roberts had 6.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game last season. As with Linnin, Roberts should see an expanded role this season. Her numbers will improve as she becomes a leader in Le Moyne’s frontcourt.
Brianna Williams (F, Senior) – A solid contributor who played over 18 minutes per game, Williams' versatility and rebounding will be vital for the team’s success. The Dolphins will need multiple frontcourt players to step up this season if they’ll remain at the top of the conference, and along with Roberts, Williams appears to be the most likely candidate to do so.
Emily Florvil (G, Senior) – Florvil brings experience, defensive skills, and an ability to fill up the stat sheet, with 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.
Megan Bodziony (G, Grad) – We project the transfer from Bryant by way of Fordham to be a solid addition to the starting five, adding depth and experience.
Michelina Lombardi (G, Junior) – Likely to be the 6th player, Lombardi’s energy and defensive contributions will be valuable off the bench.
Mia Yanogacio (G, Senior) – The transfer from Delaware adds depth to the guard position, and her 12 minutes per game at her former school could increase this season with her experience. Yanogacio could easily play her way into the starting lineup for the Dolphins this season. Her role will be something to watch as we approach tipoff.
Amya McLeod (F, RS Freshman) – McLeod comes in as a redshirt freshman from Youngstown State and could be a valuable piece of the rotation and frontcourt as she adjusts to Division I play. She’s had a season to watch in the Horizon League and should have opportunities to see the court this season in Syracuse, NY.
Team Preview
The Dolphins enjoyed an almost dream season in their NEC debut, making the transition from being a D2 contender to a D1 NEC contender almost seamlessly. They came up just short in the NEC Championship Game, but while lots of change is coming to Le Moyne, the change looks more like a reload than a rebuild. Linnin will have to develop into a star, and if she and Roberts can become a two-headed monster, the Dolphins will be in prime position to repeat their performance from a year ago. The roster is bolstered by transfers and only features two freshmen. There will be no lack of seasoning at Le Moyne, and minimal patience should be needed for players to develop- only for the new players to gel into a cohesive unit with the returning players.
The final regular season match-up against FDU in Syracuse, NY may go a long way towards determining home field advantage in the NEC Tournament.
FDU Knights Women’s Basketball Season Preview: 2024-25
FDU made an impressive run last season, finishing as the #3 seed in the NEC despite having no returning starters and featuring nine newcomers, including six first-year players. Under the leadership of first year head coach Stephanie Gaitley, who was previously at Fordham and LIU, the Knights outperformed expectations (preseason #4). Entering her second year, Coach Gaitley has built a strong foundation, and this year’s FDU squad, with six returning players who averaged over 17 minutes per game, is primed to make another leap. FDU is favored to finish even higher than last year and will contend for the top spot in the NEC. The flip side is that for the second consecutive season, the Knights will have six freshmen to break in again. It’s an intriguing blend of youth and experience.
Projected Rotation:
Teneisia Brown (F/C - Grad): The centerpiece of FDU’s attack, Brown nearly averaged a double-double last season (12.6 PPG, 8 RPG) and is a candidate for NEC Player of the Year. She should be a shoo-in for pre-season all-NEC. Expect her to be the focal point on both ends of the court with her scoring and rebounding ability. Whenever Brown can get inside, whether on offense or defense, the Knights have a chance.
Lilly Parke (F - Junior): A consistent contributor, Parke averaged 9.9 PPG and 5.2 RPG while playing 27.8 minutes per game. She'll be a key part of the frontcourt rotation alongside Brown, offering versatility and experience.
Abby Conklin (G - Grad): The leader in minutes last season at 37.3 MPG, Conklin contributed 9.8 PPG and 2.7 APG. Her ability to distribute the ball and score will be critical to the team's success.
Abaigeal Babore (G - Grad): Another returning veteran, Babore averaged 30.6 MPG, 7 PPG, and 2.6 APG. She adds a steady presence in the backcourt and is known for her defensive contributions.
Staci Williams (G - Sophomore): Williams saw substantial playing time last year, averaging 8.2 PPG and 20.5 MPG. She will be relied on to take on a bigger role in her second season as a solid scorer and defender.
Bella Toomey (F - Sophomore): Toomey provides depth in the frontcourt with 17 MPG and 3.8 RPG. She'll be a valuable asset in giving the Knights additional rebounding and defense.
Team Preview:
This season, FDU is bringing back a much more experienced core. Last year, they had to take time to integrate a large number of new players. That learning curve shouldn’t be a problem this year and with the experience in the front part of the rotation, there should be plenty of time to bring the freshmen along at their own pace. Teneisia Brown is expected to be the team's top player, potentially the best in the NEC, and the offense will flow through her. With experienced returners like Parke, Conklin, and Babore, the Knights have both the leadership and skill to build on last year’s success. Look for Coach Gaitley to continue her winning ways as the team looks to exceed last year’s third-place finish. They should finish in position to host at least two NEC tournament games. Once in the tournament, Brown scored 30 points in the first round in 2023-24; if she can maintain that production, the squad should go further in the postseason than just the league tournament.
FDU enters the season with the perfect blend of experience and youthful potential, positioning themselves to be one of the top teams in the NEC again this year.
Mercyhurst Lakers Women’s Basketball Season Preview: 2024-25
Mercyhurst enters their first season in Division I with plenty of excitement and optimism under head coach Brooklyn Kohlheim. The Lakers are coming off a successful Division II season, finishing 18-11—Kohlheim’s best season to date with the program. As they transition to the NEC, the team will look to carry over the momentum from last year, despite being ineligible for the NCAA tournament this season. Even with the challenges of moving up divisions, Kohlheim has proven she knows how to build competitive teams, and the Lakers should be confident that they’ll continue to compete at a high level.
The offense will undoubtedly run through star junior forward Bailey Kuhns, who has 28 of the Lakers’ 39 returning starts from last season. Kuhns, who averaged 14.3 points per game and scored as many as 23 in a single contest, has the ability to take over a game on offense. Her performance will be key as the Lakers adjust to tougher Division I competition.
While Kuhns will be the focal point, Mercyhurst will need contributions from their supporting cast to complement her production. Players like Allyson Ross, Jenna Van Schaik, and Grace Clary are poised to step up and help lead the team through this transition.
Projected Rotation
Bailey Kuhns (Junior, Forward)
The team’s cornerstone, Kuhns brings with her an impressive resume. She started 28 games last season and averaged 14.3 points per game. She had a high of 16 rebounds in a game, and also showed her defensive versatility with 4 steals and 2 blocks in total. As Mercyhurst steps into Division I play, Kuhns will be expected to elevate her game further and continue to anchor the Lakers’ offense and defense.
Allyson Ross (Senior, Guard)
Ross is a sharpshooting guard who will play a significant role this season. Known for her efficiency from beyond the arc, Ross shot 48.6% from three-point range last season, making her one of the best shooters on the team. With her ability to stretch the floor, Ross will open up the offense and give Kuhns more space to operate inside.
Jenna Van Schaik (Junior, Guard)
Van Schaik’s versatility on both ends of the floor makes her a key contributor. She’s second on the team in returning steals and grabbed 8 rebounds in a game last season, showing her ability to do a little bit of everything. Her defensive intensity and rebounding prowess will be important as the team competes against stronger Division I opponents.
Grace Clary (Graduate, Guard)
Clary comes in as the team’s active leader in rebounds and blocks and also brings experience as a three-point specialist. With 321 career points and 31 blocks to her name, Clary’s leadership and experience will be invaluable to the Lakers as they navigate their first season in Division I.
As Mercyhurst transitions to Division I, contributions from the freshman class will be essential. Erica Hall and Cici Hernandez are among the six freshmen expected to see playing time, as the Lakers will need new talent to complement their more experienced players. The freshmen committed knowing they'd be part of this exciting new chapter for the program, and their development will be something to watch closely as the season progresses.
Team Preview
Although Mercyhurst is ineligible for postseason play this year, their focus will be on building a foundation for the future and making a strong impression in their NEC debut. With a proven coach in Kohlheim and a star player in Kuhns leading the way, the Lakers have the potential to surprise teams in the conference. If their supporting cast, especially the sharpshooters like Ross and Clary, can step up, and if the freshmen can adjust to the pace of Division I play, Mercyhurst will have the tools to remain competitive.
The Lakers’ success this season will hinge on their ability to translate their Division II accomplishments into the faster, more physical Division I game. Coach Kohlheim’s track record of building winning teams gives plenty of reason to believe they’ll rise to the challenge.
Stonehill Skyhawks Women's Basketball Season Preview: 2024-25
As the Stonehill Skyhawks prepare for another transitional season in the NEC, there's reason for optimism that this young and developing squad can improve on last year’s 4-12 conference record (4-26 overall). Head Coach Trisha Brown, who has been at the helm since 2001, faces a unique challenge as she guides her team through its transitional phase to Division I play. The Skyhawks won’t be eligible for the NCAA Tournament, but they have their eyes set on making noise in the NEC tournament and building momentum for future seasons.
Projected Rotation
Maureen Stapleton (F, Sr.) - The senior forward is the anchor of this team, playing nearly 30 minutes per game while leading the team in rebounds (7.8 RPG) and providing a solid inside presence with 16 blocks last season. Her 3.9 points per game may not pop, but her hustle, defense, and leadership are invaluable. Expect her to continue to dominate the glass and improve offensively as a focal point in Stonehill's attack.
Brooke Paquette (G, Soph.) - After an impressive freshman campaign, Paquette looks ready to take another step forward. She averaged 5.8 PPG, grabbed 3.3 rebounds per game, and showed potential as a strong defensive guard with 15 steals. With more experience, Paquette could see a bump in her scoring and playmaking as she handles a larger role in the backcourt.
Sharn Hayward (G, Sr.) - Hayward is projected to be Stonehill’s best player this season. She played the most minutes on the team last year (35.1 MPG), averaging 8.3 PPG, 2.4 APG, and contributing solid defense with seven steals. My statistical model predicts Hayward will increase her scoring to 12 PPG this year, making her the go-to offensive option for the Skyhawks.
Molly Lynch (G, Grad.) - Lynch, the Rider transfer, projects to be a key addition to the starting lineup. Last season, she averaged 3.5 PPG and 1.4 APG in just over 14 minutes per game. Lynch brings valuable experience and should provide stability in the backcourt alongside Paquette and Hayward. Her ability to score and distribute the ball will help space the floor.
Open Slot - TBD - The final spot in the starting five remains a question mark. Candidates include Paige Martin (F, Jr.), who averaged 12.6 minutes per game and provided solid rebounding (2.5 RPG) with some scoring potential (2.2 PPG), and Bella Mallory (C, Soph.), a young center who could step into a larger role with more minutes. Mallory’s shot-blocking ability could give the Skyhawks a stronger defensive presence inside.
Chelsea Graiver (G, Jr.) - Graiver saw action last year, averaging 9.5 minutes per game, but her scoring ability (2.5 PPG) and defense will be valuable off the bench. She’ll be called upon to provide relief for the starters and may even compete with Molly Lynch for minutes.
Team Preview
Stonehill’s record will likely slide upwards this season with Mercyhurst’s addition to the league as a promising but transitioning program and Chicago State also entering the league with a lack of familiarity to the NEC. The Skyhawks will be favored to win a non-conference game this season against Emmanuel College and should be able to be a more competitive team in NEC play.
They are a very young squad, with five freshmen this season. However, the Skyhawks have had good success as recently as last season with their young players. Brooke Paquette as a significant piece for Stonehill all season in 2023-24 as a freshman, and it’s reasonable to expect at least one of the newcomers to also play a significant role. This is in addition to bringing in grad transfer Molly Lynch from Rider. While Lynch played 14 minutes per game with the Broncs last season, she could be arriving to Stonehill with the expectation that she’ll be playing more minutes with the Skyhawks. If Lynch proves to be a revelation in NEC play and the Skyhawks get the kind of production they enjoyed from Paquette from at least one member of their large freshman class, the Skyhawks should be able to improve on their 4-26 mark from a year ago. Stapleteon, Paquette, and Hayward make up the nucleus of a team that will be competitive in conference.
