BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The LIU Brooklyn women's basketball team has been picked to finish fifth in the Northeast Conference in 2016-17, according to the league's coaches' poll that was released Wednesday at the annual Social Media Day at Barclays Center. Sacred Heart earned six first place votes as the preseason favorite to win the NEC, while Robert Morris earned three first place votes to finish second, and Saint Francis earned one to finish third in the voting. Bryant came in the fourth slot, just ahead of LIU.
Senior Shanovia Dove was selected as a member of the Preseason All-NEC Team, after earning third-team All-NEC honors in 2015-16. Dove finished her junior season averaging 14.5 points per game, ranked eighth in the conference. She was also a league-leader in 3-point field goals made, free throw percentage, steals and rebounding. Dove finished the NEC season with four games scoring 20 points or more against league teams.
Dove is one of four starters and eight letter winners who return for LIU in 2016-17. She, along with classmate Brianna Farris, lead a young team that welcomes six newcomers, along with two transfers who will be dressing for LIU for the first time this season.
The Blackbirds open the 2016-17 season at home, Saturday, November 12, hosting Army at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through LIU Athletics by calling 718-488-1030.
2016-17 NEC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Sacred Heart (6)
2. Robert Morris (3)
3. Saint Francis U (1)
4. Bryant
5. LIU Brooklyn
6. St. Francis Brooklyn
7. Central Connecticut
8. Mount St. Mary's
9. Fairleigh Dickinson
10. Wagner
2016-17 NEC Women's Basketball Preseason All-NEC Team
Ivory Bailey, BRY, G, 5-7, Jr, Wyomissing, PA/Wilson
Shanovia Dove, LIU, G, 5-8, Sr, Palm Beach, FL/Palm Beach Lakes
Hannah Kimmel, SHU, F, 6-0, R-Sr., Harpursville, NY/Harpursville
Jessica Kovatch, SFU, G, 5-9, So, Phillipsburg, NJ/Phillipsburg
Anna Niki Stamolamprou, RMU, G, 5-9, Sr., Thessaloniki, Greece/Aristotelio College of Thessaloniki