Swimming & Diving

New Hampshire Picked First in 2026-27 Women’s #AESD Preseason Poll

BOSTON – After coming up just short of the program’s sixth title in the last seven seasons, New Hampshire was picked first in the 2026-27 America East women’s swimming & diving preseason poll, which was released on Wednesday afternoon.
 
The Wildcats have finished as the champion or runner-up for 15 consecutive years, led by head coach Josh Willman. This year they had two first place votes and 22 points overall, just edging out 2025-26 champion Bryant who had 21 points and three first place votes. Vermont was third with 18 points and one first place vote. UMBC (13), Binghamton (9) and Maine (7) rounded out the poll.
 
Women’s #AESD Preseason Poll
1. New Hampshire 22 (2)
2. Bryant 21 (3)
3. Vermont 18 (1)
4. UMBC 13
5. Binghamton 9
6. Maine 7
 
Last season the Bulldogs captured their first-ever conference championship 775-660 over New Hampshire, while Vermont was close behind in third with 613 points. Those three teams have finished 1-2-3 in some order over each of the past four championships.
 
This year Binghamton is the first team to hit the pool in a dual meet, facing Le Moyne on Sept. 26 at 1 p.m. Vermont and UMBC compete on Oct. 3, while Bryant, New Hampshire and Maine compete later in the month. Click here for the full schedule.
 
Follow the @AmericaEast channels on Twitter and Instagram to stay up-to-date on America East volleyball news all season long and use #AEVB to join the conversation.
 
ABOUT AMERICA EAST
Founded in 1979, the America East Conference is an elite NCAA Division I athletic conference that fosters an environment for student-athletes to become champions. Comprised of academically renowned, like-minded member institutions located in the Northeast region of the United States, America East is committed to broad-based excellence and progressive in its approach to supporting its more than 3,500 student-athletes across 18 sponsored sports. For more information, visit www.AmericaEast.com and follow the America East Conference and its social media channels, @AmericaEast.
 
- America East Conference – Where Champions Rise -