Women’s Basketball Slotted Third in GNAC Coaches’ Preseason Poll

GNAC Release 

BOSTON – Coming off a runner-up finish a year ago, the Suffolk women's basketball team was predicted to finish third in 2018-19 the conference announced via the GNAC Coaches' Preseason Poll, which was released Thursday afternoon.  

Suffolk garnered one first-place nod for 145 points finishing just nine points shy of second, which went to Emmanuel, who garnered one first-place vote, for 154 points. Three-time defending conference champ Saint Joseph's (Maine) has been projected to four peat by eight head coaches with the Monks topping the poll with 139 points.  

Entering his 25th season at the helm of Suffolk's women's basketball program Ed Leyden will call open reining GNAC Rookie of the Year Jenni-Rose DiCecco and last season's third-team honoree Alexis Hackett to anchor the Rams back to the conference championship contest this Year.  

DiCecco, who also garnered a spot on the NEWBA All-Rookie Team a year ago, lead the Rams' offense with 14.6 ppg and 3.8 apg, while playing 35.5 minutes per outing. Hackett, meanwhile, averaged a double-double effort of 11.4 ppg and 11.0 rpg to contribute on both ends of the hardwood. 

The pair are joined by fellow starter sophomore Jordan Hipwell, who chipped in 8.4 ppg and 5.7 rpg in her first collegiate run, while senior co-captains Marissa Gudaukas and Shannon Smith would like to end their collegiate campaigns with an exclamation point and garner GNAC glory for not only the first time in their careers, but in program history.  

Suffolk is just over a week away from its first official action of the year as the Rams will tip-off the 2018-19 campaign at home Saturday, Nov. 10 when Western New England stops by Regan Gymnasium for a 1 p.m. showdown.