University of Maryland, Baltimore County women’s basketball received two first-place votes and was picked to finish second in the America East Preseason Coaches Poll.
Binghamton led the poll with six first-place votes, while Vermont received the remaining first-place vote and was picked third. The announcement came Sept. 28, 2026, in Boston, with UMBC head coach Candice Hill scheduled to join America East Media Day presented by The Field of 68 at noon.
UMBC builds on 17-15 season
UMBC finished the 2025-26 season with a 17-15 overall record and went 10-6 in conference play. The Retrievers defeated NJIT in the opening round of the America East tournament before losing to eventual champion Vermont in double overtime in the semifinals.
UMBC then competed in the WNIT, defeating Ohio before losing at Marshall in the second round.
Six players return after multiple starts
The 2026-27 UMBC team returns six players who started multiple games during the 2025-26 season. Tiara Bellamy made 25 starts, while Alaina Williams made 24 and Heidi Williams made 20.
Kennedy Austin made 12 starts, Gabby Scott made 11 and Dagny Slomack made two. Bellamy, Williams, Williams, Austin, Scott and Slomack give UMBC six returning players with multiple starts from last season.
Heidi Williams earns preseason honor
Heidi Williams was named to the America East Preseason All-Conference Team before her sophomore season. She averaged 9.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game as a freshman while finishing second on the team with 56 steals.
Williams also was named to the America East all-rookie team after her freshman season. Her preseason recognition adds an individual honor to UMBC’s second-place selection in the America East preseason poll.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
University of Maryland, Baltimore County women’s basketball enters the 2026-27 season with a second-place preseason selection after reaching the America East semifinals and competing in the WNIT last season. The poll places UMBC behind Binghamton and ahead of Vermont, while the return of six players with multiple starts gives the Retrievers an experienced group from the previous season.
Source: Original report
