(TCCC Release)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Coming off a 12-14 season that saw an appearance in The Commonwealth Coast Conference Women's Basketball Tournament for the first time in four seasons, the Wentworth women's basketball team has been picked to finish seventh in 2010-11 TCCC Pre-Season Women's Basketball Poll, as conducted by the league's 14 head coaches.

The Leopards garnered 100 of a possible 196 points, which placed them 21 points below Western New England's projected sixth-place finish (121 points) and seven points ahead of Nichols' projected eighth-place finish (93 points).  Defending champion the University of New England picked up 13 of a possible 14 first-place votes and 194 total points to be picked to repeat, with Endicott and Regis each earning 166 points to tie for second.  Salve Regina (164 points – one first-place vote) and Colby-Sawyer (147) round out the top five.

Under the direction of fourth-year head coach Amanda Rodgerson, Wentworth returns three players from last year's squad, including two-time All-TCCC selection, senior Kirsten Vallone (Avon, N.Y.), who averaged 11.0 points and 9.0 rebounds as a junior.

The Leopards open the 2010-11 season with a home game against MIT on Tuesday, November 16.

2010-11 TCCC PRESEASON WOMEN'S BASKETBALL POLL