J.S. Carras/The Record

The Siena women's basketball team held its media day event on Monday afternoon at the ARC.

Second-year coach Ali Jaques (left) is optimistic that the team can have a good season, despite losing leading scorer Lily Grenci to graduation.

The Saints are picked seventh in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference preseason poll, but do have some intriguing pieces. If they come together, they may be able to finish near the top.

Marist has won eight straight tournament titles and newcomer Quinnipiac finished 30-3 last season and went to the NCAA tournament.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Siena women's basketball team is just one half from the semifinals.

Lily Grenci scored 15 points in the first 20 minutes, as the Saints lead Fairfield 31-27.

Katie Cizynski led the Stags with 10 points.

Siena shot 50 percent (13-26) from the field and led by as many as 11 points.

Below senior O.D. Anosike talks about the team's 1-point loss to Vermont.



Below women's coach Ali Jaques and senior Lily Grenci talk about their 76-56 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson.

ALBANY – Ali Jaques was almost speechless following her first victory as Siena women's basketball head coach.

“It's been a little bit of an emotional week,” she said, following the team's 76-56 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson. “So it's nice to have this one over with and get out with the win.”
 

The Saints (1-0), who only surpassed 70 points five times last season, did so with ease, getting a game-high 19 points from senior Lily Grenci.

“It feels great to get one under the belt,” said Grenci, who also grabbed 12 rebounds.

Clara Sole Anglada added 14 points, while Kate Zarotney finished with 10 points.

“I'm really, really proud of our team tonight,” said Jaques.

Siena was picked seventh in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference preseason poll, which was released Friday evening.

“I don't care where they pick us,” Jaques said. “It just matters where we finish.”

The Saints extended to their largest lead, when Ciara Stewart made two free throws in the final minute, to give the team its final margin of victory.

On Tuesday, Siena held a Midnight Madness-style event, on campus, for the first time since 1998.

Here is a link to my story on the event.

Below is video of Siena women's basketball player Lily Grenci, speaking about the event.

Video of the final play of Siena's 34-33 quarterfinal victory over Manhattan.



Junior Lily Grenci talks abuout the victory. Siena plays Fairfield, at 9:30 a.m., on Saturday morning.

Iona's Scott Machado and Marist's Corielle Yarde have been named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference's men's and women's Players of the Year, respectively.

Machado's victory ends a three-year Siena run. Kenny Hasbrouck, Alex Franklin and Ryan Rossiter were the last three award winners.

Siena's OD Anosike and Lily Grenci were candidates for the awards, after being named All-MAAC first team on Monday.

Loyola (Md).'s Jimmy Patsos and Marist's Brian Giorgis were named the men's and women's Coach of the Year respectively.

Niagara's Juan'ya Green was named the MAAC Rookie of the Year, an award that Siena's Evan Hymes was in the running for.

In my mind, Hymes was more valuable, but Green's offensive numbers were better. 

OD Anosike and Lily Grenci both earned 1st team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference honors, on Monday.

Anosike and Grenci are both in the running for the Player of the Year awards, which will be announced on Thursday evening.

Evan Hymes was named to the All-Rookie team, and he is a candidate for Rookie of the Year.

Cristina Centeno was named to the All-MAAC third team, on the women's side. 


FIRST TEAM ALL-MAAC
Rakim Sanders, Fairfield R-Sr.
Mike Glover, Iona Sr.
Scott Machado, Iona Sr.
Erik Etherly, Loyola Jr.
George Beamon, Manhattan, Jr. 
OD Anosike, Siena Jr.

SECOND TEAM ALL-MAAC 
Harold Washington, Canisius Jr.
Derek Needham, Fairfield Jr. 
Lamont Jones, Iona Jr.
Dylon Cormier, Loyola So.
Brandon Penn, Rider Sr.

THIRD TEAM ALL-MAAC
Justin Drummond, Loyola So.
Robert Olson, Loyola Jr.
Michael Alvarado, Manhattan So.
Devon Price, Marist Jr.
Juan'ya Green, Niagara Fr.
Darius Conley, Saint Peter's Jr.

ALL-ROOKIE
Juan'ya Green, Niagara
Antoine Mason, Niagara
Evan Hymes, Siena
Chavaughn Lewis, Marist
Emmy Andujar, Manhattan