Women's Basketball tabbed sixth in MASCAC preseason poll

North Adams, MA- The MCLA Women's Basketball garnered a first place vote and was selected to finish in sixth place in the MASCAC preseason poll following a vote of the league's coaches.  The Trailblazers advanced to the MASCAC semifinal round a year ago under head coach Loren Stock.

The Westfield State Owls and Framingham State Rams have been selected by the seven coaches around the league to win the 2017-18 MASCAC Women's Basketball Championship. Westfield State, the 2016-17 MASCAC Regular Season and Tournament Champions received three first place votes for 31 points.

The Owls were 11-1 during MASCAC action last season. With the departure of Jill Valley to graduation, the team will look to Lucy Barrett who averaged 10.5 points per game with 73 rebounds, 48 steals and 40 assists last season.

Earning the other top spot with two first place votes for 31 points is Framingham State. The Rams were 10-2 during league action last season. Returning for the team is All-Conference honoree Raegan Mulherin. During the 2016-17 season, she netted 13.5 points per game, including a 37.8 three-point percentage with 103 rebounds, 80 assists and 59 steals on the year.

Bridgewater State is next in third with a first place vote for 27 points. The Bears finished 6-6 during conference play last season. Last season, Rhiana Page averaged 10.8 and 5.7 rebounds per game plus 50 assists and 36 on her way to earn All-Conference accolades.

Coming in fourth is Worcester State with 20 points. The Lancers had an 8-4 mark during MASCAC play in 2016-17. All-Conference honoree Britt Herring returns after tallying 12.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game with 56 blocks, 37 assists and 19 steals.

Sitting in fifth with 14 points is Fitchburg State. 

Rounding out the preseason poll are MCLA and Salem State in sixth and seventh, respectively. The Trailblazers took home the final first place vote with 13 points. They finished with three wins during the 2016-17 league season. Karina Mattera returns for the team after averaging 7.7 points per game with 54 rebounds, 25 assists, 17 steals and six blocks last season.

The Vikings tallied 11 points in the poll and had three wins last season. All-Conference honoree Norma Waggett returns for the team. She averaged 18.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while also collecting 32 assists, 31 steals and 10 blocks on the season.

The MASCAC women's basketball season kicks off next week with the opening slate of non-conference contests. Follow along at mascac.com.