FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University Women's Basketball team received three votes in the Associated Press (AP) Preseason Top-25 poll for the first time in program history. The reigning MAAC Champions, and the unanimous preseason favorites, will return 91 percent of its scoring from last year's historic season which includes four starters.
 
"We are grateful to be receiving votes to be amongst the best teams in the country," Head Coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis said. "This only fuels our fire to prove that we belong as one of the best teams in the country. With 90% of our scoring returning and some great new additions to our roster, we are confident in what we have in our locker room, while also understanding the work that is ahead of us."
 
The Stags were unanimously chosen as the MAAC Preseason favorites after enjoying one of the most historic seasons in conference history with a 31-2 overall record and a perfect 23-0 clip against MAAC opponents which culminated in a MAAC Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. The record was highlighted by a conference-record 29-game winning streak which was the second-longest in the nation behind only No. 1 South Carolina.
 
This season, the Stags will return the bulk of that success with 91 percent of their scoring and 90 percent of their assists. Fairfield netted 2,391 points last season which was the second-most in program history and their 72.5 points per game average led the MAAC and ranked in the top-60 in the country. On the defensive side, the Stags held opponents to just 55.2 points per game which was in the top-10 in Division I.
 
Individually, the Stags return four starters including the reigning MAAC Player of the Year in Janelle Brown and the reigning MAAC Rookie of the Year in Meghan Andersen.
 
Brown was the most efficient guard in the country last season with a .572 shooting percentage, which was the third highest in program history. She also set the program record with a .451 3-point shooting percentage. Brown hoisted several personal awards after leading the Stags to a MAAC Championship, including being voted the MAAC Player of the Year and the MAAC Championship MVP.
 
Andersen had one of the best rookie seasons in program history, breaking the rookie scoring mark with 497 points. In her first collegiate season, she led the MAAC in points, field goals (195), 3-point percentage (.359), and blocks (46). 
 
Both players were named to the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Watch List. The duo joins Emina Selimovic and Kaety L'Amoreaux as Fairfield's four Preseason All-MAAC selections.
 
Along with the talent returning, the Stags add five newcomers with three transfers and two freshmen – Cyanne Coe and Julia Karpell. Fairfield will also welcome Jillian Huerter from Rutgers and Sydni Scott from Marshall. The duo combined for 484 points and 118 made 3-pointers. The Stags also bring in Division II All-American Raiana Brown who netted 2,070 points in her career, the fifth-most among active players in the country.
 
"In a world of turnover in college sports, this team chose to stick together in order to chase greatness," Coach Carly said. "It's a huge part of what makes Fairfield so special and we are excited to get the journey started."
 
Fairfield was ranked in the Associated Press Top-25 poll last season, the first time in program history they were placed in the national poll.