DUDLEY, Mass. (10/23/2026) - The Nichols College women's basketball team enters the 2026-27 season with a new look under first-year head coach Jacque Rivera, combining a veteran returning core with nine newcomers as the Bison prepare for another competitive campaign in the Conference of New England (CNE).
Nichols looks to build on a 2025-26 season that saw the Bison finish 13-12 overall and secure their first back-to-back winning seasons since 2009-10. The Bison opened last season with three wins in their first four games and closed the regular season on a strong note, winning three of their final four contests, including victories over Suffolk, Gordon and Curry.
Nichols welcomes nine newcomers to their lineup this winter, including freshmen guards Carley Fernandesz, Raine Upchurch and Sophie Derochea, along with forward Haley Burnett. Five transfers also join the program, adding depth as the Bison prepare for the upcoming season. Leading the 10 returning players is senior forward Angie Coletti, who averaged 5.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game last season. Coletti also ranked sixth in the Conference of New England (CNE) with 0.8 blocks per game and will look to anchor the Bison in the paint. Seniors Rylee Barrieault and Adison Whitty, along with sophomores Dakoda Correia and Jaelize Rivera also return after contributing to the Bison's rotation last season. The returning group will look to take on expanded roles following the graduation of key contributors Alyvia Smith, Adriana Romano and Summer Klein.
With a new coaching staff, a blend of returning experience and incoming talent, Nichols will look to maintain its recent success and compete in the CNE throughout the 2026-27 season. The Bison will begin the 2026-27 campaign on Friday, November 6th with an 8:00 PM tilt against Clark University as part of the Worcester City Tournament, hosted by WPI at Harrington Auditorium. After three more non-conference appearance to follow, Nichols will then turn its attention to conference play, opening its CNE schedule against Curry College on Wednesday, November 18th at 5:00 PM inside the Nichols Athletic Center.
