Simmons Basketball is gearing up for the start of the 2009-10 season. Led by tenth year Head Coach Tony Price, the Sharks return to action after finishing the 2008-09 season with an overall record of 17-9, 8-4 in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference—the second-highest win total in program history. Stephanie Fox (West Springfield, Mass.) became only the third Shark named to the GNAC All-Conference First Team at the conclusion of the season.

Simmons begins the 2009-10 season ranked fifth in the GNAC pre-season coaches' poll, and will face a vastly improved conference as they aim to secure their eighth straight playoff appearance. Simmons once again will play a competitive non-conference schedule against schools such as Trinity, Fitchburg State, MCLA, New Jersey City University and John Jay in preparation for conference play.

Returning to captain the Sharks are Fox, senior Julianna Eagles (Quincy, Mass.), who reached her 1,000th career point in 2009, and senior Aubree Giarrosso (Rockport, Mass.). The three will join junior Liane Lantagne (Haverhill, Mass.) and sophomores Jessica Thomas (East Sandwich, Mass.) and Alexandrah Acloque (Canton, Mass.).

The Sharks graduated Lauren Kreckie and Sarah Clayton last year, whose replacement will be no easy feat. Kreckie and Clayton, both all-purpose guards and team captains, were named to the GNAC All-Conference Team during each of their four years.

New faces to the program are sophomore guard Brittany Dolloff (Hollis, N.H.), a transfer from Mt. Ida, freshman guard Liz O'Connor (Milton, Mass.), freshman guard Ashley Donaghey (Framingham, Mass.) and freshman forwards Emily Thomas (Cheshire, CT) and Meaghan Troiano (Norwood, MA).

"The first thing people will notice are the new faces and the youthfulness that comprises a good portion of this year's team," said Head Coach Tony Price. "We'll continue to play our brand of basketball and compete night in and night out. The athletes are working hard this preseason, and we'll go through some growing pains for sure, however we will not back down."

Simmons will open the season when they travel to Gordon College on Tuesday, November 17 at 7:00pm. The Sharks' first home contest will be held Tuesday, November 24 at 6:00pm when Simmons hosts Wheelock College, and raises awareness and funds for the Lupus Foundation.