Providence, R.I.—Rhode Island College was picked to finish first in the 2026-27 Little East Women's Basketball Preseason Poll after a vote of the league's nine coaches.
The Anchorwomen received five first place votes and outdistanced second place Southern Maine, which received four first place votes, by one point (61-60).
"Being selected No. 1 is nice, but finishing No. 1 is the goal," Head Women's Basketball Coach
Jenna Cosgrove said. "The preseason recognition reflects the work our returning players have put in and this group's commitment to continuing RIC's tradition of success. We're eager to bring a championship back to RIC, and if we can finish the season with a healthy roster, we'll put ourselves in a good position to make that happen. I'm excited about the play and leadership of seniors
Emma Tenters (Jaffrey, N.H.) and
Maggie McKitchen (Seekonk, Mass.). We'll rely on the experience of our junior class, sophomore forward
Eva Monahan's (Woodstock, Conn.) post play and our growing guard depth."
The Anchorwomen are coming off a '25-26 campaign that saw RIC post a 21-6 overall record and a 14-2 (second place) mark in the Little East.
RIC returns senior guard
Abby Wager (Mansfield, Mass.) who was named Third Team All-Region by the New England Women's Basketball Association (NEWBA), Second Team All-Region 2 by D3hoops.com, the 2025-26 Little East Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Little East and a member of the league's All-Defensive Team. She played in 26 games, starting all of them. Wager averaged 14.2 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.1 bpg and 1.9 spg.
Monahan had an outstanding rookie campaign, which saw her average 9.3 ppg and 7.6 rpg last winter. Junior guards
Shalyn Smith (Middletown, Conn.) and
Jaina Yekelchik (North Scituate, R.I.) will be counted upon to lead the backcourt. Smith averaged 10.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.2 apg and 1.1 spg. Yekelchik contributed 8.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.2 apg and 1.2 spg.
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will open the 2026-27 season at home vs. Brandeis on Wednesday, Nov. 11 (5:30 p.m.).
