GORHAM, Maine – The Little East Conference announced the results of its annual preseason coaches' poll for women's volleyball on Wednesday afternoon with the University of Southern Maine placing eighth with 15 points. Plymouth State University placed first in the poll with 63 points and seven first place votes.
The Huskies return several statistical leaders from last season including senior
Kylee Eubanks-Hemme (Rosamond, Cali.), senior
Amelia Beatty (Rochester, N.H./Spaulding), sophomore
Reese Helisek (Halifax, Mass./Silver Lake Regional) and sophomore
Scarlett Squires (Mount Desert, Maine/Mount Desert Island).
Eubanks-Hemme led the team in kills with 184 and points with 230, and was one of two Huskies to play in every match. The outsider hitter also ranked fourth in both digs (148) and total blocks (21). Beatty paced the team in digs with 275 and aces with 49. Helisek posted a team-leading 584 assists in addition to ranking second in aces with 46. Squires led the lead in blocks with 37.
Additional key returners include sophomores
Taylor Joyal (Nashua, N.H./Nashua North) and
Lizzy Harbester (Plympton, Mass./Silver Lake Regional). Joyal finished second on the team in digs (220) and points (175) last season. Harbester had the second-most kills on the team with 142.
Head coach Diane Newell, now in her 13th season leading the Huskies, led the team to eight wins in 2025, the team's most since 2021.
The Huskies begin the 2026 season by hosting the Maine Classic, a two-day event which features the Huskies taking on the University of New England, Saint Joseph's College of Maine, Maine Maritime Academy and Dean College. The Huskies will face Dean on Friday, September 4 at 4:00 pm. They will then play UNE (10:00 am) and Maine Maritime on Saturday (4:00 pm).
| 2026 Little East Conference Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll |
| 1. |
Plymouth State |
63 points |
7 FPV |
| 2. |
UMass Dartmouth |
57 points |
2 FPV |
| 3. |
UMass Boston |
46 points |
|
| 4. |
Western Connecticut |
43 points |
|
| 5. |
Eastern Connecticut |
38 points |
|
| 6. |
Keene State |
32 points |
|
| 7. |
Rhode Island College |
21 points |
|
| 8. |
Southern Maine |
15 points |
|
| 9. |
Vermont State Castleton |
9 points |
|
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