Bethany Tighe and the Skyhawks open the 2008-09 season ranked No. 8 in the USA Today/ESPN Preseason Coaches Poll.

Skyhawks Preseason No. 8 In USA Today/ESPN Poll

Easton, Mass. - With three starters returning from Northeast-10 Conference regular season and tournament championships, Stonehill opens up the 2008-09 campaign ranked eighth in the USA Today/ESPN Division II preseason coaches' poll, which was released on Wednesday.

The Skyhawks, who finished 2007-08 ranked 13th in the final poll, move up five spots and join conference rival Franklin Pierce (No.4) in the top 10, making the NE-10 the only conference with two teams in the top 10.

Stonehill, picked second in the Northeast-10 preseason coaches poll behind the Ravens, will rely heavily on their inside combination of junior Kelsey Simonds (Middleboro, Mass.) and senior Bethany Tighe (North Easton, Mass.). That duo combined to average 27.5 points and 15.6 rebounds a season ago.

On the perimeter, the Purple and White return sharpshooter Megan Methven (Corning, N.Y.) who is creeping up on the school's all-time three-pointers made list. Joining Methven on the wing is sophomore Kristen McWhirter (Melvin Village, N.H.) who earned a spot on the conference's all-rookie team a year ago

Fans won't have to wait long for a matchup between the Skyhawks and Ravens as Franklin Pierce visits Merkert Gymnasium on Saturday November 22 at 1:30 p.m.