CCC Coaches Select Women's Basketball to Finish Eighth

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The University of New England, the 2013-14 defending Commonwealth Coast Conference champion, has been unanimously voted as the favorite to win the 2014-15 women's basketball championship after receiving all 10 first place votes for a total of 100 points in the CCC preseason poll. The 2013-14 runner-up Roger Williams University earned second place with 82 points, while Endicott College claimed third with 80 points and Salve Regina University was selected fourth after receiving 73 points to round out the top billing. Wentworth Institute of Technology, which finished eighth a season ago, was picked to finish in that same spot for this upcoming season.

Voting for the preseason poll was conducted among the league's head women's basketball coaches.

Three CCC teams competed in the postseason in either the NCAA Tournament or the ECAC Tournament a season ago. After the Nor'easters captured their third consecutive, fourth overall CCC title, a 61-50 victory over No. 2 seeded Roger Williams, their postseason continued with an 80-77 first round victory over New York University in the NCAA Tournament. This was the second time in program history that the UNE women advanced to the second round. The Nor'easters were handed a 57-54 overtime loss in the second round by fourth-ranked Tufts. Roger Williams University received an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament and was eliminated in a tough 67-56 loss to Plattsburgh State in the first round.

Endicott College also competed in the postseason and claimed the 2014 ECAC Championship with a 79-76 win over fourth seeded Smith College.

Seven letterwinners return for second-year head coach Matt Phippard as the Wentworth Institute of Technology Leopards look to improve their standing within the Commonwealth Coast Conference after a second straight eighth-place finish. Junior Rachael Camara returns after averaging 10.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. Classmate Carly Rogers 9.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, while junior Megan McLaughlin returns after averaging 6.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.

The Leopards open the 2014-15 season against St. Catherine's at the Emerson College Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday.

2014-15 CCC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll