NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. -- After some six months of building, the Merrimack College women's basketball team is ready to get things started.
First-year head coach Missy Traversi, who was hired in April, recruited 13 new players to Merrimack this offseason with two players returning for another season at Lawler Arena.
"We are a brand new team and still have a lot to learn with 13 new players," Traversi said. "We want to work hard every day and come into the gym with the right attitude. For us to do that on the court in a real-time situation, it starts on the practice court."
The Warriors open their season against the Florida State Seminoles on Monday night. It marks the first time the two program's have met, and one of the many non-conference challenges Merrimack will face. The Warriors, who will be on the road for six of their first eight games, travel to Villanova before Boston College, Brown and Northeastern. Their non-conference will conclude in early December against Dartmouth.
Joi Williams and Kristen Kelley represent the two returners from the 2025-26 campaign. The 13 newcomers represent seven countries.
Merrimack, which advanced to the conference tournament semifinals in each of the last two seasons, was picked to finish ninth in the Metro Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll.
"We are ready to get the ball tipped in the air and start a brand new season here in North Andover, " Traversi said. "We are getting better every day."
Metro Conference play begins Dec. 19 against the Siena Saints.
