BOSTON - After a successful 2025-26 campaign in year two of the Candice Hill era, UMBC women's basketball has been picked to finish second in the America East Preseason Coaches Poll. 

The Retrievers received a pair of first-place votes, finishing second behind Binghamton with six first-place votes in the poll. Vermont received the final first-place vote in the poll, placing third. 

UMBC went 17-15 overall in 2025-26, posting a 10-6 record in conference play. The Retrievers were victorious in their opening-round matchup versus NJIT before falling to eventual champion Vermont in double overtime in the semifinals. UMBC would go on to compete in the WNIT, defeating Ohio before losing a tight contest at Marshall in the Second Round. 

The 2026-27 Retrievers return six players who started multiple games last season, led by senior Tiara Bellamy, who made 25 starts. Alaina Williams (24), Heidi Williams (20), Kennedy Austin (12), Gabby Scott (11), and Dagny Slomack (2) also saw time in the starting lineup. 

Entering her sophomore campaign, Heidi Williams was named to the Preseason All-Conference Team after a standout freshman season with UMBC. Williams was named to the league's all-rookie team after averaging 9.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while finishing second on the team with 56 steals. 

Tune into America East Media Day presented by The Field of 68 this afternoon as Coach Hill joins the show at 12 p.m. 

2026-27 Preseason Poll
1. Binghamton 60 (6) 
2. UMBC 57 (2) 
3. Vermont 48 (1) 
4. Maine 41 
5. Bryant 40 
6. NJIT 29 
7. UAlbany 25 
8. New Hampshire 16 
9. UMass Lowell 8