PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Plymouth State University women's basketball team was picked to finish eighth in the Little East Conference (LEC), as the league announced its Preseason Coaches' Poll on Tuesday.
 
Plymouth State collected 19 points to finish ahead of VTSU Castleton (8). Southern Maine earned eight first-place votes to lead the poll with 64 points, while Rhode Island College (one first-place vote, 53 points) and Keene State (47) rounded out the top three.
 
Head coach Curtis Arsenault returns to the sidelines for his third season and will lean on the senior core of Sophie George (Meredith, N.H.), Hailey Malozzi (Maynard, Mass.), Elli Cox (Deerfield, N.H.) and Raegan Peck (Dudley, Mass.) to lead a roster with eight newcomers.
 
George, a former LEC Rookie of the Year, worked her way back from injury appearing in 13 of the team's final 15 contests last year. Malozzi led the team in scoring and rebounding, while Cox provided an interior presence, averaging 6.6 rebounds per game. Peck was the Panthers' top threat from distance, knocking down a team-best 49 three-pointers.
 
Plymouth State opens the season at the Terriers Tip-off Classic, hosted by Thomas College, this weekend. The Panthers face Saint Joseph's College of Maine on Saturday (Nov. 8) at 5 p.m., then wrap up the tournament against Elms College on Sunday (Nov. 9) at 1 p.m.
 
The home opener is scheduled for Nov. 14 against Norwich, while the LEC slate begins Dec. 6 against Rhode Island College.