Maine’s Adrianna Smith, right, dribbles the ball against Ohio State guard Rikki Harris during the first-round of the NCAA Division I women’s basketball tournament in March. Smith suffered a knee injury this week in practice and will miss the season. Aaron Doster/Associated Press

University of Maine senior forward Adrianna Smith will miss the upcoming season following a left knee injury suffered in practice, women’s basketball coach Amy Vachon announced Friday.

“We are heartbroken for Adi,” Vachon said in a statement provided by the school. “She came into this year in the best shape of her career. Words cannot express how much we will miss Adi’s presence on the court for us this season. Whatever Adi does, she does so fiercely, and that is evident to anyone who has watched her play the game she loves. I know she’ll attack rehab with the same passion. Although we will not have Adi as a teammate on the court, she will continue to be a great leader and an important part of our team this season.”

The 6-foot Smith was a dominant presence in the low post for the Black Bears over the last two seasons. Last season, Smith averaged 16.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game to help Maine win the America East championship and earn a spot in the NCAA Division I tournament. Smith also had 25 blocks and 160 assists as she earned her second all-conference first team honor.

As a sophomore in the 2022-23 season, Smith was named America East Player of the Year after averaging 17.9 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.

Smith is the second Maine player lost for the season to a knee injury. In August, incoming freshman Maddie Fitzpatrick of Cumberland suffered a knee injury during summer workouts and will miss the season. The winner of last season’s Miss Maine Basketball, Fitzpatrick led Cheverus to a pair of Class AA state championships. As a senior, she averaged 25.5 points, 11.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 4.9 steals per game.

Maine opens the season Nov. 4 at home against La Salle.