The women’s basketball team was picked third in this season’s Metro Conference preseason coaches’ poll, after finishing seventh in the conference last season. The Pioneers received 134 points in the poll, right behind Metro champion Fairfield University with 169 points and Siena College with 141.
Nalyce Dudley shooting a basketball in a game vs Iona University.
| Jayden Hunter, Photo Editor|
“I feel really grateful that the coaches in the Metro have placed our team so high. I think we returned a really strong pool of talent. We added some excellent transfers to the roster and obviously incoming freshmen,” said head coach Jessica Mannetti.
The preseason ranking has also brought increased expectations.
“The noise we talk about, we address the elephant in the room sometimes, like guys it’s still us vs. everybody. We’ve earned the respect, but our motto this year is that we gotta keep people’s respect,” said Mannetti.
“Obviously everyone sees Fairfield as the top of the league and I feel like our team especially this year we can compete with them just as much even if people outside of our team don’t see it,” said sophomore guard Sophie Nascimento.
Despite the increased expectations, the team’s approach has remained the same.
“I think by just controlling the controllables. We feel great together as a team, so it’s just about focusing on us,” said senior forward Oralye Kiefer.
The Pioneers had three players receive All-Metro preseason honors. Kiefer was selected to the first team, senior forward Nalyce Dudley earned second team honors, and Nascimento was named to the third team.
“I would definitely say it’s an honor and a blessing, and I’m very proud of Sophie and Oralye,” said Dudley.
“It feels good to be recognized by the league. I think more importantly I am proud of our team for being ranked in the top three in the conference, as I think it really reflects our skill and our work ethic,” said Kiefer.
The team has been working throughout the offseason to build a strong chemistry.
“The chemistry is just amazing, and I feel like we just had a great foundation that was built in the summer,” said Dudley.
“I think this team is probably one of the most connected teams that I’ve had in a while. And this team prides itself on work, so walking in every day makes it fun to coach,” said Mannetti.
Mannetti has the team read a book each summer as part of its offseason preparation.
“Coach Mannetti brought in the book for the summer, which was like the power of positive energy. And I think our energy this year has surpassed any team I have ever been on,” said Nascimento.
Before joining the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), the Pioneers won five Northeast Conference (NEC) tournament championships in 2006, 2009, 2012, 2023, and 2024.
“As a senior, I definitely want to win another championship,” said Dudley.
The Pioneers open the season on the road against Syracuse University on Nov. 3 at the JMA Wireless Dome.
Athletic Communications contributed to this article.
