2025-26 CAA preview

Many other talented players throughout the conference like Jayda Angel of Elon University, Chaniya Clark of North Carolina A&T, Gianni Boone of Campbell University and India Johnston of Towson University are preparing to provide thrilling moments this upcoming season as well.

Three of four CAA programs won a postseason game last season, and as the 2025-26 season approaches, the conference remains balanced, talented, and unpredictable — especially in March. The College of Charleston earned the nod as the CAA preseason favorite, but it will be challenged by Drexel, which was picked second, North Carolina A&T, picked third, and Campbell, picked fourth.

The following is an in-depth look at all 13 CAA programs for the upcoming season. Many statistics, including those below the team names, are from the teams’ websites; all other data sources are hyperlinked.

Read about every team, or skip to your favorite using the following links:

College of Charleston | Drexel | North Carolina A&T | Campbell | Elon | William & Mary | Towson | Monmouth | Hofstra | UNCW | Hampton | Stony Brook | Northeastern

College of Charleston

2024-25 record: 25-8 (14-4 in CAA, beat Howard University and lost to Rutgers University in WNIT)

Preseason ranking: 1

2024-25 CAA rankings: 1 in offense (74.7 points per game), 2 in defense (57.8 points allowed per game)

Percentage of minutes returning: 53.9% (third in the league)

Percentage of points returning: 59.2% (third in the league)

That chip on Taryn Barbot’s shoulder is a little bigger as the College of Charleston enters the 2025-26 season. No, it’s not because she feels disrespected. The 5’10 junior guard, rather, is grateful that her Cougars are the preseason favorites and that she was selected as the CAA Preseason Player of the Year.

Still, the 2025 CAA Player of the Year is driven by unfinished business. Stung by a surprising setback in the CAA semifinals to Campbell, Barbot’s focus this season is clear: help the Cougars hoist the CAA championship trophy and earn a trip to the NCAA Tournament. Under seventh-year head coach Robin Harmony, Charleston is coming off a 25-win campaign — the most in its Division I era.

“[Being named CAA Preseason Player of the Year] means a lot because I’ve been working to get preseason player of the year again,” Barbot said to reporters during the CAA media day Zoom call. “I feel like my work has shown, so this is nice. … I’ve also been working on being more consistent with my three-point shot. I’ve been trying to work on some more of my mid-range add that more as well as finishing stronger around the hoop.”

Barbot is also motivated to rewrite recent CAA history, which has seen a string of upsets. Three straight tournaments have been won by lower seeds: No. 7 Monmouth in 2023, No. 7 Drexel in 2024, and No. 9 William & Mary in 2025. The rest of the league knows Barbot is returning as a more complete, confident and dangerous player.

She wants everything. This season, Barbot knows that each shot, each steal, and each extra sprint is one step closer to a trophy in her hands.

She’s not satisfied with last year’s success, even after leading the CAA in eight statistical categories. Barbot averaged 17.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and shot 38.1% from the field, while hitting 87 three-pointers (ranked 20th nationally). She tied the program record with 40 points against the University of North Carolina Wilmington on March 2 and, earlier that season, matched the single-game mark with 10 made threes against Charleston Southern on Dec. 3.

Defensively, she collected 75 steals, helping Charleston lead Division I in turnover margin (9.85). Already the fastest player in program history to reach 1,000 career points, doing so in just 64 games, Barbot enters this season with 1,051 points and an even sharper edge.

And fortunately, for Charleston, she’s not doing this alone. Barbot’s twin sister, 5’9 junior guard Taylor Barbot, was an All-CAA Third Team selection last season. She averaged 11.8 points per game and reached double figures in 24 games to go along with three double-doubles. Barbot’s 11.8 points per contest are the fifth-most among returnees in the CAA from 2024-25.

Also looking to play larger roles this season will be 5’8 sophomore guard Leah Philpotts, 6′ senior guard Marissa Brown, 6’1 redshirt senior guard Sophia Tougas, and 5’10 senior wing Naylee Cortes. Before a season-ending injury, 5’11 junior guard Jami Hill contributed 7.0 points per contest, and she plans to come back stronger this year.

Last season, Tougas averaged 5.2 points, Cortes added 5.0 points, and Philpotts chipped in 2.6 points, all gaining valuable experience in Harmony’s high-energy, pressing system. The Cougars also welcome back 5’8 sophomore guard Alana Philpotts, sister of Leah, who missed last season due to injury.

Harmony’s program also reloaded with key transfers: 6’1 junior forward Grace Ezebilo (from Tyler Junior College), 6’1 graduate forward Chynell Mitchell (from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley), 5’11 junior guard Tyja Beans (from Western Carolina University), 6′ redshirt senior forward Dani McTeer (from Coppin State University), and 5’7 sophomore guard Camila De Pool (from Fordham University).

Ezebilo averaged 11.2 points and 12.8 rebounds while shooting 49.4%. Mitchell contributed 6.2 points and 5.4 rebounds at UTRGV, bringing experience from both the WAC and SWAC. Beans started all 30 games for Western Carolina, averaging 12.4 points and 8.1 rebounds with eight double-doubles. McTeer, a former William & Mary standout who earned a spot on the All-CAA Rookie Team, helped Coppin State reach the WNIT, and De Pool appeared in 17 games for Fordham.

With Barbot’s edge, Harmony’s leadership, and a roster built to run, press, entertain fans, and score in waves, the Cougars have everything they need to transform preseason promise into a championship reality.

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Drexel University

2024-25 record: 17-13 (12-6 in CAA)

Preseason ranking: 2

2024-25 CAA rankings: 8 in offense (59.2 points per game), 4 in defense (59.0 points allowed per game)

Percentage of minutes returning: 68.4% (first in the league)

Percentage of points returning: 70.0% (first in the league)

It’s easy to take the consistent excellence of the Drexel women’s basketball program for granted. Over the past four seasons, the Dragons have made two NCAA Tournament appearances and extended their streak of 11 straight winning campaigns.

Under veteran head coach Amy Mallon, that standard of success remains the expectation, which is possibly one reason why Drexel — in an era of nonstop player movement — was one of the few programs in the country with zero women’s basketball players entering the transfer portal. 

With a strong core returning, highlighted by the triumvirate of 5’7 graduate guard Amaris Baker, 6’2 sophomore forward Deja Evans, and 5’7 senior guard Grace O’Neill, the Dragons are poised to stay among the CAA’s contenders once again and enjoy another winning season. They combined to score 52.2% of Drexel’s points last season.

Baker, a preseason first-team All-CAA selection, is one of the premier mid-major players in the country. She ranked second in the CAA last season in scoring (17.0 points per game), 12th in field goal percentage (40.2%), and 13th in three-pointers made per game (1.5).

A first-team All-CAA performer, Baker scored in double figures 27 times and has tallied 902 points in just two seasons at Drexel across 64 games. Even as she draws defensive attention, Baker continues to thrive thanks in part to Evans’ strong interior presence.

Evans, who started 29 of Drexel’s 30 games, is poised to take another positive step forward after a stellar campaign that saw her average 9.4 points per game. Evans was also third in the CAA in field goal percentage (46.8%) and 15th in rebounds per game (6.1). Evans made her mark on the defensive side of the ball as she was second in the conference in blocked shots (2.3).

She was named to the CAA All-Defensive Team after blocking 66 shots, which is seventh all-time in program history. She nearly notched a triple-double (18 points, 11 rebounds, and a school-record nine blocked shots) against Temple University.

Starting 63 of Drexel’s last 64 games, O’Neill has been a steady force. She averaged 5.2 points per game in 35.8 minutes and scored in double figures in four games. A primary facilitator in Drexel’s balanced offense, O’Neill helped the Dragons lead the CAA in assists, finishing first in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.2) and eighth in assists per game (3.6).

Mallon is also welcoming back 5’10 junior guard Lanie McGurk, 6’2 senior forward Molly Lavin, 5’10 sophomore guard/forward Emilee Jones, 6’ sophomore forward Iriona Gravley, 5’9 senior forward Jalyn McNeill, and 6’ sophomore guard Mariah Watkins.

McGurk played in every game last season and averaged 4.3 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. Lavin started two of the 27 games she appeared in, averaging 4.0 points and 2.3 rebounds. Gravley saw action in 22 games and averaged 2.5 points per game.

The Dragons added one transfer in 5’7 junior guard Julia Garcia Roig, who played at Xavier University last season. Roig started six of 30 games and averaged 2.9 points in 13.7 minutes per game.

Watkins will have the unique opportunity to play alongside her younger sister, 6’ freshman guard Bria Watkins. Following in family footsteps, 5’11 freshman guard Molly Rullo, daughter of Drexel alum and former standout Maureen Michaels (1,220 points, 1997–2000), joins the program after helping Cardinal O’Hara High School capture two Pennsylvania state championships.

As always, Drexel’s focus remains on the details, which has been the foundation of its success. The Dragons know that if they stay true to their habits, they can enjoy a 12th straight winning campaign and be right where they want to be when the last of the confetti falls in Washington, D.C., in March.

North Carolina A&T State University

2024-25 record: 19-12 (15-3 CAA, lost to Virginia Tech in WBIT)

Preseason ranking: 3

2024-25 CAA rankings: 4 in offense (63.5 points per game), 1 in defense ( 55.5 points allowed per game)

Percentage of minutes returning: 40.0% (ninth highest in the league)

Percentage of points returning: 40.9% (eighth highest in the league)

North Carolina A&T begins a new chapter this season, one that looks different but feels familiar. The Aggies may have said goodbye to two generational players, but the foundation those athletes helped build still runs deep. The reigning CAA regular-season champions return with the same hunger, pride, and purpose.

Under veteran head coach Tarrell Robinson, the championship standard remains firmly in place.

Entering his 14th season, the 2024–25 CAA Coach of the Year has built one of the most consistent programs in the country. He owns a 248–143 record with three conference tournament titles, three NCAA Tournament appearances, four WNIT appearances, and eight total postseason berths while guiding the Aggies through transitions across the MEAC, Big South, and CAA.

The Aggies have seven returning players who have experienced plenty of winning, led by their preseason All-CAA trio of 6’4 redshirt senior center Chaniya Clark, 6′ junior forward Paris Locke, and 5’11 graduate guard D’Mya Tucker. The Aggies were the only program with three players receiving preseason honors. 

An inside force throughout her career, Clark enters the season with 797 career points and 617 rebounds. Clark, who has played in 86 career games, is a double-double machine, with 18 over the last two seasons. She was a preseason first-team All-CAA selection, too.

Clark averaged 10.2 points per game and 7.9 rebounds last season, which was seventh in the CAA. She had plenty of bright spots last year, including a game-winning 3-pointer to help A&T win a road game at Towson, and she ended the year with a 19-point, 13-rebound performance against Virginia Tech in the WBIT. She also ranks seventh on the program’s all-time leaders list for blocks, with 103.

Locke earned preseason second-team All-CAA accolades after averaging 7.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game last season. Locke has been a significant contributor since A&T entered into the CAA. She started 14 games her freshman year and all 31 games A&T played during her sophomore season. 

Robinson is thrilled to have Tucker back after she missed last season with an ACL injury suffered during the 2023–24 postseason. A preseason All-CAA honorable mention selection and the only Aggie with NCAA Tournament experience, Tucker brings leadership and toughness. Before her injury, she averaged 11.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, giving A&T a steady, two-way presence.

Another key returnee is 5’11 junior forward Darrionna Howard, who played in 30 games last season and averaged 3.4 points per game. Expected to take on larger roles this season are 6’3 sophomore forward Rachel Griffin, 6′ sophomore forward Elliott Jessup, and 5’8 sophomore guard Eva Andrews, all of whom gained valuable experience last year.

The Aggies’ newcomers include five freshmen and two transfers: 5’9 graduate guard Jordan Brown (from Langston University) and 6′ graduate forward Shimei Muhammad (from Charleston Southern University).

Brown, who also played at Northwestern State, averaged 13.4 points per game for a Langston program that won 31 games and advanced to the NAIA round of 16 last year. Muhammad appeared in 29 games and started 17 games for Charleston Southern. She averaged 4.9 points and 3.7 rebounds per game while also tying for second on the team with 27 three pointers.

In Aggieland, the names may have changed, but the standard has not. With a battle-tested and talented core, the Aggies are eager to replicate last year’s success. They’re built to contend and motivated to enhance their legacy with another banner.

Campbell

2024-25 record: 22-13 (12-6 CAA, postseason beat Coastal Carolina and lost to Southern Indiana in WNIT)

Preseason ranking: 4th

2024-25 CAA rankings: Offense (2nd, 64.9 points per game), Defense (3rd, 58.5 points allowed per game)

Percentage of minutes returning: 58.1% (2nd-highest in the league)

Percentage of points returning: 65.9% (2nd-highest in the league)

Fresh off a memorable season that saw Campbell win 22 games, tied for the second-most in program history, capture a postseason victory, and advance to the CAA tournament championship game, under veteran head coach Ronnie Fisher, the Camels have built a culture that expects to compete deep into March. Yes, they’ll miss a few familiar faces, but what remains is more than enough: depth, chemistry, and a collective hunger to keep the momentum of excellence rolling.

Campbell welcomes back three players who earned All-CAA recognition last season: 5’11 senior guard Gianni Boone, 6′ sophomore forward Ciara Alexander, and 5’11 sophomore guard Jasmine Felton. Boone was named third team All-CAA, while Felton and Alexander were selected to the All-Rookie team, forming an excellent foundation for the Camels to continue their winning ways.

Boone, who earned preseason first-team All-CAA recognition, is one of the conference’s most reliable and efficient performers. She averaged 11.0 points and 4.7 rebounds in 35 games last season. Boone was fourth in the CAA in field-goal percentage (45.7%). Boone recorded three 20-point games last year, two of which came against conference opponents. She has appeared in every game during her Campbell career, entering this season with 829 points.

Felton, who was named CAA Rookie of the Week three times, appeared in 33 games, made 19 starts, averaging 8.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.3 steals. She scored in double figures 12 times and had a pair of double-doubles, showcasing her versatility and poise. She was one of three impactful freshmen last season for the Camels.

Along with Alexander and 5’7 sophomore guard Olivia Tucker, Felton was part of a dynamic freshman class that accounted for 28.7% of Campbell’s scoring.

Alexander was a ball of energy, averaging 8.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in 35 games. A two-time CAA Rookie of the Week, she scored in double figures 17 times and posted two double-doubles. Tucker, who earned CAA Player of the Week recognition, played in 35 games and made nine starts, averaging 7.9 points and 2.1 assists. She scored in double-figures 12 times, including two games of 20 or points. Tucker’s career-best 24-point performance in a win over East Tennessee State was the most scored by a freshman in the Fisher era.

Campbell is also excited to have 6′ junior guard Hadleigh Dill return. She’s looking to build her strong finish to the season when she scored 12 points in a CAA semifinal win over the College of Charleston and 10 points in the WNIT win over Coastal Carolina. Overall, she averaged 5.2 points and 2.0 rebounds in 34 games. Dill, who started 10 games, scored in double figures in seven games.

Additional returners include 5’7 junior guard Jessica Woods, 5’10 sophomore guard Emerson Thompson, and 6’3 sophomore forward Mikayla Taborn, all of whom gained valuable experience last season. They are expected to take on larger roles. Fisher also welcomes back 5’6 senior guard Logan Nuckols and 6’2 junior forward Peris Smith, both returning from injury and eager to make an impact.

The Camels welcome four newcomers to the program in 5’2 junior guard Ashleigh Battle, 5’10 freshman guard Jasmine Nivar, 6’3 freshman forward Nina Konate, and 5’7 freshman guard Keaton Rikard.

Battle, who played at Eastern Florida State College from 2023-25, was named 2025 FCSAA All-Citrus Conference after averaging 8.0 points, 3.6 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game last year. Meanwhile, Nivar and Konate bring valuable international experience to Campbell. Nivar competed with the Puerto Rico Women’s National Team at the GLOBL JAM event, and Konate played in the FIBA U20 Eurobasket with the Switzerland National Team.

With experience at nearly every position and a core of proven scorers, rebounders, and playmakers, Campbell has the tools to once again challenge for the CAA crown. If the Camels’ young stars continue to mature and their veterans provide steady leadership, another deep postseason run is possible.

Elon

2024-25 record: 15-15 (9-9 CAA)

Preseason ranking: 5th

2024-25 CAA rankings: Offense (11th, 58.5 points per game), Defense (6th, 61.7 points allowed per game)

Percentage of minutes returning: 52.1% (4th-highest in the league)

Percentage of points returning: 48.2% (5th-highest in the league)

Veteran Elon head women’s basketball coach Charlotte Smith is excited about the talent that will take the floor this season.

The Phoenix has four key returnees, including two starters in 5’4 junior guard Maraja Pass and 5’7 senior guard Laila Anderson. Pass averaged 4.3 points per game and ranked 13th in the conference in assists (2.8 per game). She ran the team with poise and precision, and with another year of experience, Smith looks forward to seeing her continued growth.

Anderson was the recipient of a lot of Pass’ assists last season as she averaged 7.0 points per game. Her speed and sharp shooting made her a consistent scoring threat. She led the Phoenix in free-throw percentage at 79.5% and scored in double figures 11 times. Anderson started 29 of the 30 games she appeared in and had a season-high 23 points against Kent State.

A preseason first-team All-CAA selection, 5’8 sophomore guard Jayda Angel enters her second season at Elon after earning both CAA Rookie of the Year and Sixth Player of the Year honors in 2024–25. An explosive scorer and defensive disruptor, Angel is the Phoenix’s top returning scorer at 9.9 points per game.

She added 1.3 assists per game and reached double figures 12 times, leading Elon in scoring on eight occasions. Angel also collected a league-best five CAA Rookie of the Week honors.

Expected to play an expanded role this season will be 5’5 redshirt senior guard Kamryn Doty, who tied for the team lead with 25 3-pointers. Doty appeared in 30 games, making nine starts, and averaged 16.1 minutes, 4.1 points, and 1.2 rebounds.

Smith is happy about the growth in leadership among players like Doty, Pass, and 5’10 senior guard Ruby Willard. Also returning for Elon are 5’10 sophomore guard Kierra Morrow, 5’9 sophomore guard Samira Khalil, 5’7 sophomore guard Ashlee Shaw, and 6’2 senior center Aly Wadkovsky. They will all be counted on to play a bigger role this season.

Optimism is high in Elon, thanks in part to a strong group of newcomers: 6’ sophomore forward LaNae’ Corbett (Hofstra), 5’10 redshirt junior guard Tyana Walker (Howard), and 6’3 graduate center Quinzia Fulmore (Memphis). Corbett and Fulmore bring valuable CAA experience, while Walker arrives with a proven record of success in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).

Elon’s roster also features two true freshmen in 6’2 center/forward Tamia Watkins and 5’7 junior guard Ashanti Fox.

Corbett was named to the All-CAA rookie team after averaging 10.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Corbett, who scored in double figures 10 times, was selected as CAA Player of the Week on Dec. 30 and Rookie of the Week twice. Meanwhile, Walker was the 2024 MEAC Rookie of the Year. She helped Howard advance to the MEAC title game in two straight years and earn a WNIT bid last season. Walker averaged 4.8 points and 2.2 rebounds per game last season in 34 games that featured 16 starts. During her freshman season, Walker averaged 11.3 points per game.

Fulmore started Memphis’ first seven games of the season before suffering a season-ending foot injury. Before her injury, Fulmore averaged 6.4 points and 7.6 rebounds in 22.3 minutes per game. She played 74 games for Towson. In her sophomore year at Towson, she averaged 10.1 points per game while shooting 52.7% and was named to the CAA All-Tournament team. She helped Towson post consecutive seasons of 20 or more wins.

With the additions of Walker, Corbett, and Fulmore, Elon now features two former conference Rookies of the Year and an All-Rookie Team selection. While talented with impressive accomplishments before coming to Elon, Smith emphasized that they are still learning.

Elon enters this campaign grounded in experience, united by purpose, and determined to rise together thanks to a roster blending proven returners and promising transfers.

William & Mary

2024-25 record: 16-19 (8-10 CAA, postseason beat High Point and lost to Texas in NCAA tournament)

Preseason ranking: 6th

2024-25 CAA rankings: Offense (7th, 61.9 points per game), Defense (12th, 67.1 points allowed per game)

Percentage of minutes returning: 48.0% (5th-highest in the league)

Percentage of points returning: 44.6% (7th-highest in the league)

In one fantastic week in March, William & Mary captured the country’s attention with its memorable run to winning the CAA tournament championship, prevailing in its first NCAA tournament game in program history, and battling a top-seeded Texas squad that advanced to the Final Four tough.

The banner celebrating that magical season now hangs inside Kaplan Arena, a proud and permanent reminder of what was. Now, it’s a clear signal that it’s time to turn the page and focus on what’s ahead. Fourth-year head women’s basketball coach Erin Dickerson-Davis, who is the first coach in W&M history to win at least 15 games in each of her first three seasons, has plenty to look forward to with nine players returning.

Leading the returnees are 5’7 junior guard Cassidy Geddes and 5’3 junior guard Monet Dance, one of the top backcourts in the conference. They are a fearless pair that can score, defend, and will ensure the Tribe retains its championship mindset. Each player had some big moments during the Tribe’s postseason.

Geddes was named preseason second-team All-CAA. She has continued to rack up the accolades as she was a preseason honorable mention last year and was a member of the CAA All-Rookie Team in 2023-24. In averaging 30.8 minutes per game last season and playing in all 35 games, Geddes finished the year as the team’s second leading scorer at 9.7 points per game, scoring double figures on 16 occasions and 20-plus four times.

She averaged 12 points per outing during the Tribe’s CAA title run, landing her on the All-Tournament Team. Geddes also averaged 2.2 assists per game and led the squad in helpers in 10 games.

Dance also made her mark last season, starting 32 games and appearing in all 35. She was named to the CAA All-Tournament Team after averaging 15.3 points per game during the championship stretch. A sharpshooter from long range, Dance set a program record for single-season three-point percentage at 43.6%.

Though she averaged 5.6 points per game overall, she caught fire late, averaging 14.0 points over the Tribe’s six postseason contests. Her signature performance last season was tying the CAA tournament record for 3-pointers made in a game and scoring a career-high 27 points in the Tribe’s quarterfinal upset of top-seed North Carolina A&T.

In the frontcourt, 6’2 sophomore forward Marley Long, 6’4 sophomore forward Natalie Fox, and 6’3 junior center Jana Sallman will anchor the Tribe’s interior attack. Long appeared in 26 games and provided reliable minutes off the bench.

Fox, who played 27 games, was the Tribe’s leading rebounder at 4.3 per game while also averaging 5.3 points. She had the first double-double in William & Mary NCAA Tournament history with a season-high 12 points and 12 rebounds in the First Four win over High Point. Fox also shot 46.8% from the floor, which was third on the team.

Sallman added size and strength inside, averaging 5.4 points and 3.7 rebounds across 26 games. She scored double figures six times. Sallman had a monster double-double of 20 points and 17 rebounds in CAA opener against Hampton, good for career-highs in both categories and W&M’s first 20 and 15 game since 2017.

Depth and experience continue throughout the roster. Returning players expected to take on larger roles include 5’8 senior guard Alexa Mikeska, 6’2 junior guard Aislinn Gibson, 6’1 sophomore guard Sophia LeGoullon, and 5’10 sophomore guard Emma West.

Dickerson-Davis is excited about the addition of 5’9 junior guard Kyah Smith, a transfer from Navy, who has averaged 9.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists during her collegiate career. She scored in double figures 12 times last season. The freshman class includes 5’8 guard Jordyn Steindl, 5’5 guard Ari Mercado, 6′ forward Dynasti Pierce, and 6’1 forward Amelia Best.

With depth, leadership, experience, and confidence, William & Mary embraces the expectations that come with being the reigning conference tournament champions. The Tribe knows every opponent will bring its best, but with Geddes and Dance leading the way, the focus remains on growth and consistency rather than the pressure to repeat past achievements.

After all, the banner hanging inside Kaplan Arena serves as a daily reminder of the work it took to achieve something lasting.

Towson

2024-25 record: 12-20 (8-10 CAA)

Preseason ranking: 7th

2024-25 CAA rankings: Offense (9th, 59.2 points per game), Defense (7th, 62.1 points allowed per game)

Percentage of minutes returning: 45.0% (7th-highest in the league)

Percentage of points returning: 40.0% (9th-highest in the league)

Fourth-year head Towson women’s basketball coach Laura Harper believes the Tigers will bounce back from last season’s challenging campaign, in which significant injuries to key players forced a shift in roles. Yet amid the adversity emerged 5’8 senior guard India Johnston, who was named to a preseason second-team All-CAA selection.

One of four rotational players returning for the Tigers, Johnston led Towson with a 12.5-point per game average. Despite playing 34.3 minutes per game last season and being the focus of opposing defenses, Johnston still finished sixth in the CAA in 3-point field goal percentage (34.7%) and 11th in 3-pointers made per game (1.6). She was also 14th in assists per game (2.5).

Even with increased responsibilities — including leadership and adapting her game — Johnston delivered several standout performances. She made a game-winning basket in a road game at UNCW. Johnston, who scored in double figures 22 times, offered a 24-point performance in a CAA tournament victory over Elon. Johnston closed last year by scoring in double figures in nine of Towson’s final 10 games, where she averaged 14.8 points over that span.

In addition to Johnston, returning for the Tigers are 5’11 senior guard Semaya Turner, 5’6 sophomore guard Shariah Baynes, and 6’2 redshirt senior forward Kayla Morris. Each had key moments for the Tigers last season and showed steady growth as the season progressed.

Turner started 29 games, averaging 5.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest. She had four double-digit scoring games. Morris started 11 of the 19 games she played in, averaging 4.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Morris was a solid defensive presence, leading Towson with 37 blocks, averaging 1.9 per game. She had 11 multi-block games, including three with four blocks.

Baynes played in every game and made 14 starts. She averaged 3.6 points and 1.5 rebounds. Baynes was second on the Tigers with 67 assists. Baynes and Johnston combined for 43.5% of Towson’s assists. Other returnees for Towson include 5’8 senior guard Masyn Marchbanks, who missed all but the first two games of the season, and 6’2 forward/center freshman Jaymee Wadey, who joined mid-way through the season last year but did not play.

The Tigers also welcome several key newcomers. Among them are 5’7 senior guard Tilda Sjökvist (Missouri), 6’ junior guard Zoli Khalil (VCU), and 5’9 junior guard Thalia Shepard (Merrimack).

Sjökvist brings valuable experience from the SEC and Big South. She enjoyed a decorated two-year career at Presbyterian before playing at Missouri, where she averaged 1.6 points per game. Sjökvist scored a season-best 13 points to help Missouri beat Arkansas and scored five points in the first round of the SEC Tournament. Sjökvist helped Presbyterian qualify for the 2024 NCAA tournament after earning Big South Tournament MVP honors.

Khalil adds backcourt depth and shooting to the Tigers. She played in all 31 of VCU’s games, making 23 starts. In addition to shooting 44.6% from 3-point range to lead the Rams, she was also second on the team, averaging 8.5 points per game. Khalil scored a career-high 21 points against George Washington. Shepard, who started 30 of 31 games at Merrimack, led the Warriors with 13.6 points per game and brings proven scoring ability.

Also expected to contribute to the Tigers this season are 5’8 redshirt freshman guard Viki Matulevicius, a transfer from South Dakota, and 6’ freshman guard Asya Lara Barnes. They both played in the FIBA EuroBasket tournaments this summer, representing Lithuania and Turkey, respectively.

With Johnston blossoming into one of the CAA’s elite players, a mix of seasoned returners and dynamic newcomers, Towson has the depth and experience to be a contender in the CAA because of its collective belief that its best is yet to come.

Monmouth

2024-25 record: 16-15 (10-8 CAA)

Preseason ranking: 8th

2024-25 CAA rankings: Offense (6th, 62.3 points per game), Defense (9th, 63.2 points allowed per game)

Percentage of minutes returning: 28.1% (13th-highest in the league)

Percentage of points returning: 23.0% (12th-highest in the league)

Monmouth head coach Cait Wetmore led the Hawks to a winning season in her first year in West Long Branch. She took pride in the defensive foundation her team established, but entered the offseason determined to add speed and athleticism. It was an intentional focus in both recruiting and the transfer portal.

Wetmore believes the Hawks have met those goals and are poised for a memorable campaign. With 6’1 junior forward Divine Dibula and 6’3 senior forward Ella Farrelly returning, Monmouth has building blocks firmly in place.

Dibula was named preseason honorable mention All-CAA after enjoying a breakout sophomore season, averaging a career-high 8.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. The Ontario native scored in double figures in 10 games. Dibula was highly efficient from the field, shooting 57% last season. 

Farrelly started 29 of the 30 games as a junior and led the Hawks, playing 34.9 minutes per game. Set averaged 5.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, which was 12th in the CAA. Her 82 offensive rebounds ranked second on the team and third in the CAA. In addition to posting three double-doubles, Farrelly finished seventh in the CAA in blocks per game (1.1).

Expected to take on larger roles this season are 5’9 junior guard Isabella Murray, 5’11 sophomore forward Rebecca Milon, and 5’11 redshirt senior guard Kellyn Preira, each of whom gained valuable experience last year.

Newcomers for the Hawks include four freshmen and six transfers: 5’8 junior guard Adena Webster (Temple), 5’5 junior guard Gigi Gamble (CCBC Essex), 5’8 senior guard Alexis Andrews (College of Charleston), 5’11 junior forward Sydney Hendrix (Florida A&M), 5’10 sophomore guard Fatumata Djalo (Ole Miss), and 6’ junior forward Alexis Davis (Buffalo).

Webster appeared in four games at Temple before a season-ending injury, while Gamble arrives after a decorated junior college career. The 2024–25 NJCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Player of the Year at CCBC Essex, Gamble averaged 23.4 points, 3.0 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 52.3% from the field and a national-best 45.4% from three. She helped lead the Knights to a 33–2 record and a third-place finish at the national championship tournament.

A dynamic scorer with great athleticism, Andrews returns to the CAA after playing for Charlotte last season, where she averaged 8.9 points per game. Before that, she made an immediate impact during two seasons at the College of Charleston, starting all 61 games and averaging 10.2 points while shooting 36.2% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. Andrews was named to the CAA All-Rookie Team in 2023.

Hendrix averaged 9.6 points per game and 7.0 rebounds per game, which was ninth in the SWAC, last season at Florida A&M. At Florida A&M, Hendrix played in 43 games with 25 starts over the past two years. Returning to her home state, Davis, a Woodbury native, started in 31 of her 62 appearances at Buffalo, where she averaged 7.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per contest.

Djaló, who appeared in 16 games for Ole Miss, contributing to the Rebels’ 12th Sweet 16 appearance in program history, brings valuable international experience to the Hawks. A standout for Team Portugal from 2021–24, she averaged a team-best 10.0 points per game at the U20 Women’s EuroBasket Championships in Lithuania.

Overall, the Hawks have all the pieces needed to soar higher in the CAA standings. Wetmore’s focus on defense, tempo, and culture continues to shape the Hawks’ identity. With more speed and depth, Monmouth is excited ready to transform last year’s progress into something memorable.

Hofstra

2024-25 record: 14-16 (9-9 CAA)

Preseason ranking: 9th

2024-25 CAA rankings: Offense (12th, 58.4 points per game), Defense (8th, 62.1 points allowed per game)

Percentage of minutes returning: 45.3% (6th-highest in the league)

Percentage of points returning: 47.8% (6th-highest in the league)

Seventh-year Hofstra head women’s basketball coach Danielle Santos Atkinson feels good about the progress of her program entering the upcoming season. The Pride has increased its win total in each of the last six years under Atkinson.

With its top two scorers returning in 5’7 senior guard Chloe Sterling and 5’9 senior guard Emma Von Essen, this could be Hofstra’s breakthrough season. Sterling earned preseason second-team All-CAA recognition, while von Essen earned preseason honorable mention accolades. Together, they form one of the most dynamic backcourts in the conference.

Sterling is an offensive magician who sets the tone for the Pride’s attack.

Hofstra’s leading scorer at 13.0 points per game started all 21 games she appeared in. She also grabbed 5.2 rebounds and handed out 3.6 assists per contest in 33.3 minutes per game. Sterling was seventh in the CAA for assists per game, 10th in scoring, and steals per game in her first season in a Hofstra uniform. She topped double digits in scoring 16 times.

Von Essen, one of the best long-distance shooters in the conference, started all 30 games and averaged 10.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. She made 71 3-point field goals, ninth-most in a season in program history, and averaged the second-most threes per game in the CAA with 2.4. Additionally, she became only the fourth Hofstra women’s basketball student-athlete to eclipse 200 threes in a career. 

Also returning for Hofstra this season, who saw significant action, are 5’7 senior guard Alarice Gooden and 5’6 junior guard Micaela Carter. Gooden finished strong by scoring double figures in three of the Pride’s final four games, including a season-high 18 points in the CAA first round against William & Mary. She appeared in 26 games, made two starts, while averaging 3.5 points, 1.4 rebounds, 0.6 assists, and 0.3 steals in 12.0 minutes per game.

Carter, who started seven of the 29 games she played, averaged 3.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 0.8 steals in 19.3 minutes per game. Looking to step into larger roles this season are 5’8 sophomore guard Maddie Pounds, 5’0 sophomore guard/forward Ema Karim, 5’11 senior forward Ayen Angoi, and 6’3 sophomore forward Michaela Hodge.

Atkinson’s transfer class brings immediate experience and versatility. New additions include 5’7 junior guard Sana’a Garrett (Jacksonville), Deivejon Harris (Texas Southern), 5’8 graduate guard Navaeh Brown (UCF), and 6’1 graduate forward Sandra Magolico (SMU).

Garrett appeared in 57 games over two seasons at Jacksonville, averaging 7.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.3 steals last year while leading the Dolphins with 36 steals. Harris, a Bronx native, returns closer to home after helping Texas Southern to a WNIT victory last season, contributing 6.0 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

Brown, who has played at Wake Forest, East Tennessee State, and UCF, brings scoring punch and experience. A 1,000-point career scorer, she was the only UCF player to appear in all 30 games last season, averaging 8.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. Magolico, who played at Arizona State during the 2023-24 season, appeared in 27 games last year at SMU, averaging 7.9 minutes per contest while scoring 1.6 points and grabbing 1.8 rebounds on 48.6% shooting.

With its proven backcourt and new additions ready to contribute, Hofstra could continue to climb into the CAA’s upper echelon because it has the tools to challenge anyone in the CAA.

UNCW

2024-25 record: 14-18 (8-10 CAA)

Preseason ranking: 10th

2024-25 CAA rankings: Offense (3rd, 64.2 points per game), Defense (11th, 66.4 points allowed per game)

Percentage of minutes returning: 37.0% (11th-highest in the league)

Percentage of points returning: 26.3% (11th-highest in the league)

Third-year UNCW head women’s basketball coach Nicole Woods spent more time last season looking at medical reports instead of scouting reports. Yet, even amid adversity, the Seahawks won 14 games, more than in the previous three seasons combined. Now, this season, the buzzword for the Seahawks is health.

Of its eight returnees, four are returning from season-ending injuries. Woods has a talented, experienced team capable of carrying last season’s overall momentum. Woods is happy to return the backcourt tandem of 5’7 sophomore guard Tia Dobson and 5’10 senior guard Kate Hollifield. They each enjoyed shining moments for the Seahawks last season.

Dobson made 18 starts in the 29 games she played, averaging 5.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.4 steals in 22.3 minutes per game. Dobson, who scored in double figures six times, led all CAA freshmen with 65 assists. After transferring from Belmont at the start of last season, Hollifield started 31 of 32 games, averaging 6.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 25.7 minutes per game. She led the Seahawks with 43 three-pointers. Hollifield scored in double figures 11 times and had 12 games with at least two 3-point field goals made.

Looking to play a bigger role this season are 5’10 senior guard McCall King and 6’2 junior forward Corrie McLauglin. Each gaining valuable experience. King played in all 32 games and started UNCW’s final 14 games. She averaged 2.4 points and one rebound in 18 minutes per game. King had two or more steals in five contests. McLauglin appeared in 26 games, averaging 2.3 points and 1.4 rebounds in 9.7 minutes per game.

Woods is also thrilled to welcome back four players from injury: 6’1 redshirt junior forward Torin Rogers, 5’10 senior guard Mary Ferrito, 5’10 redshirt sophomore guard Kylah Silver, and 6’3 redshirt freshman center Angelina Pelayo.

Ferito, who began her career at Wisconsin, played in UNCW’s first 10 games last season before an injury sidelined her for the remainder of the year. Pelayo appeared in two games before her season was cut short, while Silver and Rogers, who transferred from Richmond, both missed the entire season due to injury.

Transfers include 5’7 graduate guard Rori Cox (Virginia Union) and 5’7 junior guard Paige Smith (CCBC Essex).

Cox averaged 14.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.8 steals in 27.7 minutes per game last season as she helped Virginia Union win 21 games. Smith arrives in Wilmington after a decorated career that ended with her being named a 2024-25 NJCAA Division II Women’s Basketball All-America selection. She also earned All-Region XX first-team honors after averaging 17.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.9 steals.

Woods is excited about the potential of 5’10 freshman guard Ebbony Wilson and 6’1 freshman forward Icyss Storm, a pair of gifted scorers.

Wilson led the state of California in scoring as a senior, averaging 31.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 3.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game. Storm, who scored 1,299 career points, averaged 13.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and 2.6 steals per game during her high school career.

UNCW finally feels whole again. With improved health, returning experience, and an infusion of new talent, UNCW enters the season with quiet confidence. The Seahawks have the depth, balance, and hunger to keep climbing.

Hampton

2024-25 record: 8-23 (3-15 CAA)

Preseason ranking: 11th

2024-25 CAA rankings: Offense (13th, 58.3 points per game), Defense (14th, 68.2 points allowed per game)

Percentage of minutes returning: 39.6% (10th-highest in the league)

Percentage of points returning: 38.4% (10th-highest in the league)

Second-year Hampton head women’s basketball coach Tamisha Augustin learned along her coaching journey that “passion has no patience.” With seven returning players from last year’s squad and some impactful transfers, Augustin believes she has the necessary ingredients to move into the upper echelon of the CAA.

Augustin has her team focused on consistency and daily growth, believing that attention to detail and finishing stronger will translate into more wins. The Lady Pirates lost eight games by 10 points or fewer last season.  

The Lady Pirates’ top returners are 6’2 graduate forward Aisha Dabo, 5’8 senior forward Le’Asia Foreman, 5’7 junior guard Tyra Kennedy, and 5’10 junior guard Diamond Wiggins. Dabo is Hampton’s leading returning scorer at 8.1 points per game. In starting 30 of the 31 games she played, Dabo also grabbed 4.4 rebounds per game.

She scored in double figures 14 times, topped by 17 twice against Delaware and Stony Brook in a CAA Tournament victory. The versatile Dabo also posted three double-doubles against Gardner-Webb, Delaware, and Hofstra.

Foreman is the leading returning rebounder, averaging 5.1 boards per game to go with 6.2 points per contest. She enjoyed some memorable moments last season, like scoring the game-winning basket to beat Northeastern and posting an 18-point, 14-rebound double-double in the CAA tournament win over Stony Brook. She scored in double figures eight times last season.

Even though Kennedy averaged 3.3 points in 29 games, she also supplied key minutes. Kennedy’s biggest moment last season was knocking down a game-winning basket to beat Georgia in overtime, capping a rally from a 17-point second-half deficit. A win like that showcased what the Lady Pirates were capable of.

Wiggins added steady minutes in 29 appearances, while 6’1 senior forward Kiya Dorroh returns after missing last season due to injury. The Colorado State and Tennessee-Martin transfer spent her freshman year at Missouri, where she played in 27 games.

Also returning for Hampton are 6’1 senior forward Tiani Abrams and 5’11 junior guard Arlisha Boston.

Hampton welcomes experienced transfers that are expected to make an immediate impact: 5’5 senior guard Olivia Smith (Eastern Michigan), 6′ junior guard Kayla Lezama (Boston College), 5’7 junior guard Kiarra Mcelrath (Delaware State), 6’2 senior center Taylor Gibson (UCF/Michigan), and 5’10 junior guard Aaryn Battle (Pitt).

Smith played three seasons at Eastern Michigan, where she earned All-Mid-American Conference Freshman Team. She averaged 8.8 points and 2.2 assists per game in three seasons at Eastern Michigan. Last season, Smith saw action in 29 games with 14 starts. Lezama spent two seasons at Boston College, where she played in 48 games.

Mcelrath is a hidden gem, an electric scorer, and a solid playmaker. Her decision-making and ball-handling should help Hampton’s offense improve from being 12th out of 13 programs in the CAA from last season. In two seasons at Delaware State, Mcelrath averaged 10.5 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. Last season, she ranked fifth in the MEAC in 3-pointers made per game (1.8). She was also third in the conference in free-throw percentage (80.7%).

After spending her freshman year at Michigan, Gibson played in 55 games at UCF. She didn’t play the season. Battle played two seasons at Pitt, appearing in 64 games. She had eight games in double figures scoring, topped by 17 as a freshman against LeMoyne and 15 as a sophomore against Binghamton.

With depth, discipline, and a desire to enjoy better endings, the pieces are in place for Augustin’s second season to mark a defining step forward for the program.

Stony Brook

2024-25 record: 12-18 (7-11 CAA)

Preseason ranking: 12th

2024-25 CAA rankings: Offense (10th, 58.9 points per game), Defense (5th, 61.5 points allowed per game)

Percentage of minutes returning: 31.9% (12th-highest in the league)

Percentage of points returning: 22.8% (13th-highest in the league)

Second-year Stony Brook head women’s basketball coach Joy McCorvey is optimistic about the upcoming season since her squad features a balanced mix of experienced veterans and talented underclassmen, along with a strong international presence. With 10 newcomers, including six transfers, McCorvey spent most of the summer strengthening chemistry and building a connected, inclusive culture.

The Seawolves return two starters in 6’1 senior forward Lauren Filien and 6′ junior guard Janay Brantley. Those are good pillars because each player was a member of Stony Brook’s 2024 regular-season championship team, which also won a road game in the WNIT.

Filien is an interior anchor for the Seawolves. She played in 28 games and started 22 contests, averaging 3.3 points per game. She was Stony Brook’s second-leading rebounder (5.3 per game). Filien also had four double-digit rebounding performances. She was tied for eighth in the CAA last season in blocked shots (1.8). Her presence was a reason the Seawolves finished among the top five in conference scoring defense.

Brantley, who played 25 games and made 23 starts last season, is poised for a breakout season. Stony Brook’s leading returning scorer averaged 8.7 points per game after shooting a career-high 37.2% percent from the field. She made 23 3-pointers last season and scored in double figures eight times, including a career-high 25 points against Northeastern. Brantley also grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds against both Holy Cross and Monmouth.

Additional returnees for Stony Brook include 5’8 junior guard Chloe Oliver, 5’6 senior guard Khalis Whiting, and 5’2 sophomore guard Ioanna Giannopoulou. They will play a bigger role this season. Oliver appeared in 23 games off the bench for the Seawolves and averaged 3.5 points per game. Whiting saw limited action last season but brings valuable experience from the Seawolves’ championship run. In contrast, Giannopoulou, a walk-on last season, appeared in four games and continues to develop within the program.

McCorvey’s transfer class brings immediate experience and versatility. New additions include 5’8 junior guard Ebere Egbirika (Odessa College), 5’9 graduate guard Diaka Berete (Jackson State), 6’1 graduate forward Alonna Sellers(Central Connecticut State), 6’2 junior forward Melissa Mwanza (Louisiana Tech), 5’7 graduate guard Sandra Frau Garcia (University of Chicago), and 6’1 sophomore forward Caitlin Frost (St. Bonaventure).

Frost started 22 of 24 games for the Bonnies last season, averaging 9.0 points and 5.5 rebounds to lead the team. Berete was Jackson State’s third-leading scorer (7.6 points per game) and added 2.7 rebounds. Sellers, who also played at UNC Asheville, averaged 7.3 points and shot 44.0% from the floor for Central Connecticut State. Egbirika contributed 7.5 points per game on 47.1% shooting at Odessa, while Mwanza brings size and length after stops at Richmond and Louisiana Tech, where she appeared in 33 games last season.

The freshman class includes 5’6 guard Nal’La Bennett, 6′ forward Johanna Porter, 6’1 forward Alex Brown, and 5’9 guard Delaney Cooper.

McCorvey’s emphasis on culture and connection could be the key to keeping Stony Brook firmly in the conference race, regardless of preseason projections. With a blend of toughness, depth, and talent, the Seawolves are a team no opponent can afford to overlook.

Northeastern

2024-25 record: 3-25 (2-16 CAA)

Preseason ranking: 13th

2024-25 CAA rankings: Offense (13th, 49.9 points per game), Defense (12th, 67.6 points allowed per game)

Percentage of minutes returning: 42.6% (8th-highest in the league)

Percentage of points returning: 51.3% (4th-highest in the league)

After enduring a challenging campaign last season, Northeastern is optimistic that the 2025-26 year will be different. The Huskies knew their final record didn’t reflect their true potential. Third-year head coach Priscilla Edwards-Lloyd believes her team is poised for a turnaround, encouraged by the growth of leadership and the way experienced players have embraced guiding their younger teammates.

The Huskies are led by the inside-outside combination of 5’4 junior guard Yirsy Quéliz and 6’2 sophomore center Alyssa Staten, returning standouts expected to anchor both ends of the floor.

Quéliz, the Huskies’ returning starting point guard, played in 26 games last season and earned preseason honorable mention All-CAA recognition. The Dominican Republic native averaged 11.7 points per game alongside 3.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds. She was 17th overall in the conference in scoring. Quéliz shot at a .303 clip from behind the arch, which was 10th in the CAA. She was also seventh in the CAA in 3-pointers made per game (1.8).

Staten saw action in 27 games for the Huskies, starting in 22 matchups while averaging 7.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, which was fifth in the conference. Averaging 27.3 minutes per game, Staten finished the season with four double-doubles in her final six games. She reached double figures in scoring in all six, including a 20-point performance against Towson in the CAA Tournament. Staten’s late-season surge gives Northeastern reason to believe she can be one of the league’s breakout stars.

Another key returnee for Northeastern is 5’9 redshirt junior guard Natalie Larrañaga, who averaged 7.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game in 26 games. She started 11 games and scored a season-high 20 points against regular-season champion North Carolina A&T.

Larrañaga played in 26 games for the Huskies, earning the start in 11 of those matchups. Looking to play a bigger role this season will be 5’8 sophomore guard Maria Sanchez Pitarch.

Another reason for hope in Boston is that Edwards-Lloyd welcomes back 6′ sophomore forward Maya Summerville and 6’2 sophomore forward Taylor Holohan from injuries, adding to the Huskies’ depth. Summerville missed all of last season, while Holohan, a McDonald’s All-America nominee in high school, played in six games for the Huskies before sitting out the rest of the season due to injury.

The Huskies also welcome five newcomers through the transfer portal: 5’2 graduate guard Nariyah Simmons (Austin Peay), 5’9 sophomore guard Camryn Collins (Rider), 6’1 sophomore forward Justice Tramble (South Carolina State), 6′ sophomore guard Morgan Matthews (George Washington), and 6’1 junior forward Andrea Martinez (Gardner-Webb).

Simmons brings veteran experience, having competed at both Kansas City and Austin Peay. She started all 31 games last season for Austin Peay, averaging 2.7 points and 1.5 rebounds, and previously posted 9.7 points and 2.0 assists per game at Kansas City, including a career-high 34-point effort against Kansas.

Matthews and Collins add a burst of athleticism to the Huskies that they hadn’t had the past couple of years, according to Edwards-Lloyd. Matthews averaged 3.3 points per game for George Washington after starting six of the 17 games she appeared in. Collins played 28 games for the Broncs, averaging 8.9 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. She led Rider and was fourth in the MAAC in field-goal percentage (53.0%) and 16th in free-throw shooting (70.4%).

Tramble saw action in 25 games for South Carolina State, where she averaged 3.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. Martinez, who played basketball for Boet Mataró in Barcelona, Spain, started 11 of the 27 games she played in for Gardner-Webb, averaging 3.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game during her two-year career.

Last season tested their resolve. This one could define their response. The Huskies’ growth has come through patience and perseverance. Now that talent and leadership are aligned, the Huskies are determined to make this season one to remember.