“As a coach, it’s kind of nice that I don’t have to dictate that. Our players are dictating how we’re going to work in the offseason. They’re setting our goals, they’re setting what they want in this program. We have high standards and we challenge them, but it’s nice when they’re challenging themselves. If anything, I’m now that coach who has to kick players out of the gym because they’re overworking. It’s really a credit to our players—being bought in, wanting to be successful, and putting in the work.”
— Vermont Women’s Basketball Head Coach Alisa Kresge.
That work ethic was on full display as Vermont opened America East conference play with a convincing win over Albany in a rematch of last season’s America East Championship.
The 2026 conference opener brought together two of the league’s top programs, and although it was the first meeting of the season, the matchup felt familiar. Vermont entered the game fresh off a 61–59 win over Dartmouth and riding a 5–1 December record, looking to begin conference play with momentum. Albany was equally hot, also finishing December at 5–1, though the Great Danes had not played in ten days following their last win against Hofstra.
From the opening tip, the game looked like a potential March preview.
First Half: Vermont Takes Control
The first quarter was tightly contested, with both teams trading baskets. Vermont jumped out to a 3–0 lead before Albany responded, trailing by just two midway through the period at 8–6. Catamounts guard Maila Lenz knocked down a three-pointer to push the lead to five, but Albany answered and tied the game at 11 with under a minute remaining. Lenz closed the quarter with another three, giving Vermont a 14–11 edge.
Both teams continued to go back and forth early in the second quarter, tying the game at 19 midway through the period. That’s when Vermont began to assert itself. Guard Jayden Weltz sparked a run with a three-pointer to make it 22–19, then followed it up with another from deep to extend the lead to six. Keira Hanson added a three of her own near the end of the half, pushing the advantage to 32–21, before Nikola Priede finished the half with a layup that sent Vermont into the break up 34–21.
Vermont’s lead was fueled not only by efficient guard play, but by stifling defense. Albany managed just 10 points in the second quarter and scored only two points over the final four minutes of the half. Delanie Hill carried the offense for Albany with 15 first-half points, while the rest of the team combined for just six.
Albany Pushes Back, Vermont Responds
Albany showed resilience coming out of halftime. The Great Danes chipped away at the deficit in the third quarter, cutting the lead to six at 40–34 and then to four at 42–38 with under three minutes remaining. They closed the quarter down seven at 47–40, outscoring Vermont 19–13 in the period and holding the Catamounts to just one three-pointer. Hill continued to lead the charge, finishing the quarter with 25 points.
Any momentum Albany had built, however, was quickly halted in the fourth quarter.
Weltz opened the final period with another three to make it 50–40, and Hanson followed on the next possession with a three of her own, pushing the lead back to 13. From there, Vermont never looked back.
Fourth Quarter Dominance
Vermont controlled the remainder of the game on both ends of the floor. The Catamounts maintained a double-digit lead throughout the fourth quarter, shot an impressive 69 percent from the field, and went 5-of-7 from three. Four Vermont players finished in double figures, showcasing the team’s balance and depth.
Defensively, Vermont limited Albany’s options. Although Hill finished with a game-high 33 points, no other Great Dane scored in double figures. Albany went 0-for-4 from three in the fourth quarter and shot 46 percent overall, never reclaiming the lead after the second period.
Looking Ahead
With the win, Vermont begins the 2026 America East season at 1–0 and gains an early edge over a conference rival they are likely to see again in March. The victory reinforced Coach Kresge’s praise of her team’s commitment and discipline, traits that continue to fuel the Catamounts’ success.
Despite the loss, Albany remains firmly among the conference’s top contenders. Even after being projected by some analysts as a middle-of-the-pack team, the Great Danes continue to prove they belong in the top tier of the America East.
Albany will get another chance to face the defending champions in just two weeks.
Stay tuned.
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