POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – Marist Women's Basketball has been tabbed first in the 2019-20 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, the conference announced during the 2019-20 MAAC Basketball Preseason Awards Show on Tuesday evening.
 
In addition, Senior captains Alana Gilmer and Rebekah Hand were named to the Preseason All-MAAC First Team, while senior captain Grace Vander Weide was selected to the Preseason All-MAAC Second Team.
 

PRESEASON RANKING

• Marist had a conference-best nine first-place votes, and 119 total.
• This is the first time since the 2014-15 preseason that the Red Foxes were picked first. That year, Marist shared the top ranking. In 2013-14, Marist solely occupied the top preseason rank.
• Three-time defending champion Quinnipiac placed second with two first-place votes and 104 overall.

Cool. Now let's be at this same spot on March 15, 2020 in AC. #MAACHoops #GoRedFoxes pic.twitter.com/L1gR0YgBrx

— Marist WBB (@MaristWBB) October 22, 2019

PRESEASON ALL-MAAC FIRST TEAM

• Gilmer is one of two unanimous selections to the First Team (Stella Johnson – Rider).
• This is the second-consecutive season Gilmer is represented on the Preseason First Team.
• In 2018-19, the Massachusetts native earned All-MAAC First Team and MBWA All-Met Third Team honors after averaging 15.4 points per game.
• Rebekah Hand earns her second-straight Preseason First Team honor. She has garnered preseason recognition for three years.
• Hand totaled 15.7 points per game and six rebounds per contest to secure MBWA All-Met First Team and All-MAAC First Team honors.

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Alana Gilmer and Rebekah Hand nab Preseason #MAACHoops First Team accolades! #GoRedFoxes

A post shared by Marist Women's Basketball (@maristwbb) on Oct 22, 2019 at 4:11pm PDT

PRESEASON ALL-MAAC SECOND TEAM

• Vander Weide gains Second Team recognition after being named to the MAAC All-Championship Team and All-MAAC Third Team a season ago.
• This time last year, Vander Weide was on the Preseason Third Team.
• She averaged eight points, 4.9 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game while shooting 52 percent from the field.

Last year: Preseason Third.

This year: Grace Vander Weide is named to the Preseason All-MAAC Second Team! #GoRedFoxes pic.twitter.com/bYYT2p7Is0

— Marist WBB (@MaristWBB) October 22, 2019

HEAR FROM THE TEAM

• The Red Fox Network caught up with Gilmer, Hand, and Vander Weide to discuss their sentiments about the preseason rankings.
• The MAAC also interviewed Head Coach Brian Giorgis about the preaseason and discussed keys to the 2019-20 campaign.

 

 

TICKETS

• Tickets are on sale for all 14 games at McCann Arena this season.
• Red Fox Club season tickets and Women's Basketball Junior Hoop Club are also available.

  

LOOKING AHEAD

• The Red Foxes open up the 2019-20 season on Friday, November 8 against Boston at 6 p.m.
• Marist makes its home debut on Wednesday, November 13 at 7 p.m. vs. Albany.

 

FULL MAAC PRESEASON RESULTS

Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Marist (9) - 119
2. Quinnipiac (2) - 104
3. Rider - 103
4. Manhattan - 85
5. Monmouth - 74
6. Fairfield - 60
7. Niagara - 53
8. Canisius - 47
9. Iona - 35
10. Siena - 33
11. Saint Peter's - 13

Preseason All-MAAC Teams

First Team
Stella Johnson* - Rider
Alana Gilmer * - Marist
Rebekah Hand - Marist
Jai Moore - Niagara
Sierra Green - Monmouth
Courtney Warley - Manhattan

Second Team
Grace Vander Weide - Marist
Amari Johnson - Rider
D'Jhai Patterson-Ricks - Canisius
Taylor Herd - Quinnipiac
Lou Lopez-Senechal - Fairfield

Third Team
Gabby Cajou - Manhattan
Lucy Thomas - Monmouth
Shaq Edwards - Quinnipiac
Lea Favre - Rider
Juana Camilion - Iona
Paige Warfel - Quinnipiac

* = Unanimous selection

Preseason Player of the Year
Stella Johnson – Rider