2024-25 Atlantic 10 Girls’s Basketball Preseason Ballot
1.) Richmond (10) – 216
2.) Saint Joseph’s (4) – 211
3.) George Mason – 188
4.) Davidson (1) – 173
5.) VCU – 153
6.) Duquesne – 148
7.) Saint Louis – 132
8.) Rhode Island – 122
T-9.) Fordham – 96
T-9.) Loyola Chicago – 96
11.) Dayton – 84
12.) George Washington – 71
13.) UMass – 40
14.) St. Bonaventure – 38
15.) La Salle – 32
The Favourite
Richmond
After successful out as 2023-24 Atlantic 10 regular-season champions and steaming rolling their method to a 2024 A10 Match crown, the voters chosen Richmond to repeat. Regardless of the lack of a key senior contributor in Grace Townsend to the portal, head coach Aaron Roussell returns a stable core together with 2023-24 A10 Defensive Participant of the Yr Addie Budnik.
Behind her, 2023-24 All-Convention First Workforce choice Maggie Doogan and 2023-24 Sixth Girl of the Yr Rachel Ullstrom will proceed to be relied upon as rising juniors on this program. Bolstering the remainder of Richmond’s rotation is three-year Penn State captain Anna Camden who arrived final offseason earlier than tearing her ACL and is able to make a return from damage.
To assist offset the lack of Townsend and construct on the backcourt, the Spiders added Appalachian State switch Religion Alston from the portal. Although undersized at 5 foot 7, the graduate senior is a dynamic and environment friendly scorer having averaged 18.3 PPG as a 2023-24 All-Solar Belt Second Workforce choice.
Becoming a member of her can be Alyssa Jimenez who appears to be like to make her personal impactful return from damage after lacking a lot of the 2023-24 marketing campaign with Florida Gulf Coast. Nonetheless, Jimenez has confirmed greater than succesful on each ends of the ground averaging 10.7 PPG, 6.2 RPG and 1.6 steals for Nevada again in 2022-23.
Budnik, Doogan and Ullstrom will lead Richmond’s title protection but when the veteran items like Camden and Alston can slot in to offer consistency it’ll be no contest for the Spiders.
The Contenders
Saint Joseph’s
Regardless of producing a program file 28 wins in the course of the 2023-24 season, St. Joe’s was ousted by Richmond as regular-season champs and upset by Rhode Island on the A10 Match.
Again for revenge and in the hunt for the packages first A10 title since 2013, the Hawks return a trio of two-time All-Convention alternatives in Tayla Brugler, Laura Ziegler and Mackenzie Smith. Whereas St. Joe’s can be with out Chloe Welsh who was fourth in scoring on the roster final senior, a veteran and 33 recreation starter like Julia Nyström can be anticipated to fill a few of her manufacturing.
Rising sophomores Gabby Casey and Aleah Snead will look to proceed creating off the bench whereas freshman Rhian Stokes has already made an early impression in preseason scrimmages.
This roster is sort of solely stuffed with returning contributors and that consistency can be key coming off among the finest seasons in program historical past. If Griffin and Co. can recreate a few of the magic that noticed St. Joe’s win on the street 15 occasions in 2023-24, a wholesome Hawks workforce can be firmly in A10 title rivalry.
George Mason
Going from 10 wins in 2022, to ending with 16 in the course of the 2022-23 marketing campaign, to managing 23 wins this previous season, it’s clear head coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis is constructing one thing at George Mason.
Lastly, the convention is starting to take discover with this system receiving its highest preseason ballot collection of the Blair-Lewis-era in Fairfax, Virginia.
Outdoors of a nationally acclaimed schedule with matchups towards Wake Forest, Maryland and Georgetown, these Patriots have the expertise to again it up and solely improved this offseason.
Although leading-scorer Sonia Smith departs with out remaining eligibility, 2023-24 A10 Rookie of the Yr Zahirah Walton immediately turns into the focus of George Mason’s gameplan.
To offer GMU probably the most representatives within the All-Convention portion of the A10’s Preseason Ballot, Walton is joined by Ta’Viyanna Habib, Kennedy Harris and Nalani Kaysia.
With Habib and Harris each seeking to enhance on their manufacturing, Kaysia will return from a 2023-24 season ending damage and subsequently, to the Patriots beginning 5 the place she was impactful in 2022-23.
Shedding your best scorer isn’t simple however filling in with the convention’s finest rookie adopted by improvement all through the roster is a recipe for continued success.
Davidson
Battling by means of an damage plagued 2023-24 season, Davidson nonetheless surmounted an 18-8 file and a win over Duke simply to indicate what this program is able to when wholesome.
Former Virginia Tech switch and 2023-24 All-Convention Third Workforce choice Charlise Dunn will return from a torn ACL suffered again in February. She’ll be the Wildcats main contributor alongside an bettering group of rising seniors who had been vital throughout final season’s damage woes.
Items like Millie Prior, Issy Morgan and Mallorie Haines had been every thrust into the beginning lineup and compelled to contribute however did so with success, all averaging 7+ PPG.
That group must handle a good greater position this season however the preliminary expertise can be a profit in disguise as head coach Gayle Fulks welcomes in a giant freshman class.
Moreover, Tomisin Adenupe will return after lacking your entire 2023-24 marketing campaign with an damage whereas Pitt switch Jasmine Timmerson arrives through the portal and brings high-major expertise.
Quite a lot of shifting elements inside this Wildcats roster but when Dunn can keep wholesome and the likes of Prior, Morgan and Haines can proceed their progress, this can be a veteran led workforce with a great deal of expertise.
VCU
Whereas VCU retained 12 of the 15 gamers from final season’s roster heading into the 2024-25 marketing campaign, the lack of 2023-24 A10 Participant of the Yr Sarah Te-Biasu to Maryland looms giant.
To offset her departure, All-Convention Preseason candidates Timaya Lewis-Eutsey and Mary-Anna Asare must proceed their double-digit manufacturing to fulfill the Rams lofty expectations.
Whereas on the defensive finish, 2023-24 All-Convention Defensive choice and one of many A10’s finest rebounders in Mykel Parham will look to lock issues down.
Moreover, Jennifer Ezeh returns with a fifth season of eligibility after averaging 6.1 PPG and 5.1 RPG in 2023-24 whereas Alexis Black emerges from the portal after a stable season with App State.
To be aggressive on this convention, you’ve received to take care of a core of returning expertise and blend it in with creating freshman or switch merchandise. Similar to George Mason, dropping your best scorer isn’t simple, however for VCU, returning key items and including a gifted guard in Black places the Rams in a spot to compete.
The Darkish Horses
Duquesne
Although two-time All-Convention choice and the sister of NBA participant TJ McConnell, Megan McConnell, will return for a fifth season below head coach Dan Burt, the Dukes will look a lot totally different.
Vermont switch Andjela Matic and former Ohio State/Pitt ahead Gabby Hutcherson mark the Dukes solely two veteran additions of the offseason whereas final years beginning 5 is gone.
As Amaya Hamilton and Ayanna Townsend graduated, Tess Myers and Naelle Bernard each entered the switch portal leaving McConnell because the lone remaining piece from that lineup.
Nonetheless, she’s about as productive a frontrunner as you may get, pacing Duquesne in a number of statistical classes together with scoring, rebounding, assists and steals throughout final season.
McConnell can lead the Dukes to a win on any given evening on this convention, she has the confirmed expertise to take action. If Burt can develop alongside a few of the underclasswomen like Gabby Grantham-Medley and Jerni Kiaku whereas mixing in a pair of thrilling transfers, Duqueusne can be a troublesome take a look at for nearly anyone.
Saint Louis
After a historic season that noticed Saint Louis win its first ever postseason championship on the WNIT, the Billikens can be with out two-time All-A10 choice Kyla McMakin however retain WNIT MVP Peyton Kennedy.
Nonetheless, together with Kennedy, head coach Rebecca Tillett nonetheless returns the brunt of final season’s roster with Kennedy Calhoun, Brooklyn Grey and Marcavia Shavers again for extra.
In spite, the Billikens didn’t do a lot to enhance on final season’s 9-9 file in convention and a subsequent seventh place end within the A10. Whereas the additions of Indiana State switch Mya Glanton and Syracuse’s Marilena Triantafylli present depth, will they be sufficient to raise Saint Louis again into rivalry?
Tillett has proven she’s greater than succesful after simply two seasons within the A10 and she or he’s received the expertise to assist the Billikens safe a second NCAA Match bid in simply three seasons.
Rhode Island
After falling brief on the 2024 A10 Championship and dropping to Richmond within the remaining, Rhode Island must handle the lack of this system’s two main scores in Maye Toure and Dee Dee Davis.
Anticipated to fit into their place, rising senior Sophie Phillips and Cesson, France native Anaelle Dutat had been every chosen to the Preseason All-Convention Third Workforce.
Thus, arriving from the switch portal the Rams add some a lot wanted depth and top with 6-foot-4 San Diego recruit Honey Kaur and former Washington State guard Cia Eklöf.
Outdoors of Phillips and Dutat, this Rhode Island lineup goes to look nearly fully totally different with each switch additions projected to have a major influence. Nonetheless, gamers like Ines Debroise and a rising sophomore group constant of Katie Ledden and Sophia Very important might want to assist fill in a few of the gaps with improved manufacturing.
The 2023-24 marketing campaign marked head coach Tammi Reiss’ third consecutive season with 20+ wins. If the switch duo pans out, she’ll have an opportunity to make this his fourth consecutive with Rhode Island.
Fordham
Although final season’s A10 scoring chief in Taylor Donaldson will make her return to Rose Hill, it hasn’t instilled a lot confidence after a 12-17 file and a tenth place end in convention.
Out of seven totally different gamers who featured within the Rams beginning lineup at the least 10 occasions in the course of the 2023-24 season, solely Donaldson and her teammate Rose Nelson stay.
Primarily, this can be a reasonably youthful Fordham workforce with a number of switch additions combined. Chaé Harris previously of App State, Detroit Mercy’s Irene Murua Txintxurreta and CSUN’s extremely touted freshman Amiyah Ferguson all arrived this offseason to assist fill out the roster.
There’s a variety of new items behind a giant freshman class and the portal additions and whereas it may be robust to construct chemistry Donaldson on the helm offers the Rams an opportunity in any contest.
The Relaxation
Loyola Chicago
Whereas Loyola Chicago’s first two seasons within the A10 have proven regular enchancment ending with 6 wins in 2023 and 15 in 2024, the 2024-25 marketing campaign threatens to halt that progress.
Gone are primarily all of the vital seniors contributors from final season’s roster together with Alyssa Fisher, Sam Galanopoulous, Ali Berg and Emma Nolan, although Sitori Tanin stays.
Emma Theodorsson, Jess Finney, Naelle Bernard and Rosalie Mercille all arrive from totally different origins through the switch portal however will deliver a lot wanted veteran expertise and depth.
With a variety of new faces to introduce into the fold and a freshman class that’s six recruits deep, head coach Allison Guth can be hopeful she will be able to mesh this group collectively by convention play.
Dayton
With final season’s main scorer in Ivy Wolf returning for her senior season, the Flyers had a stable core to construct on heading into the offseason. Nonetheless, Dayton head coach Tamika Williams-Jeter closely invested within the high-major ranks with 4 switch additions becoming a member of from high-major packages for a complete of 5 portal recruits.
Between Ohio State’s Rikki Harris, Shantavia Dawkins of Iowa State, Boston School’s Jayda Johnson and Minnesota recruit Ajok Madol, none had been main contributors this previous season.
It’s a little bit of a chance, however every of these 4 brings a high-level pedigree and had been revered prospects out of highschool. The expertise is there however the Flyers might want to present a variety of progress and improvement to enhance on final season’s thirteenth place end within the A10 standings.
George Washington
All 5 of final season’s main scorers on this George Washington roster are gone, both out of eligibility or transferring up a stage corresponding to former All-Convention choice Nya Robertson.
On the present roster, Mariona Planes Fortuny of Bryant, former Lafayette guard Makayla Andrews and former Northwestern recruit Paige Mott are set to fill some useful minutes.
Every gifted scorers in their very own proper with each Fortuny and Andrews averaging double-digit PPG final season whereas Mott has been managing 8+ PPG for the previous two seasons within the Huge Ten.
Although the highest of the roster is gifted, it’ll take a while for Fortuny and Andrews particularly to grasp the pace and elegance of the A10 whereas the remainder of this Revolutionaries program may be very younger.
UMass
Forward of this program’s final season inside the ranks of the A10 Convention earlier than a transition to the MAC with soccer on the forefront, it’s shaping as much as be a forgettable marketing campaign.
Head coach Mike Leflar’s first season on the helm of this system noticed simply 5 wins complete and a second-to-last place end in convention with out a lot completed to enhance on troublesome begin.
Although Stefanie Kulesza is again as soon as once more, two of the Minutewomens three main scorers entered the switch portal. Additions corresponding to Momo LaClair, Megan Olbrys, Aleah Sorrentino and Allie Palmieri will all see minutes as this roster appears to be like to solidify a variety of misplaced manufacturing.
Main enhancements below Leflar haven’t been unprecedented as we noticed with Kristin Williams final season however he’ll want a variety of improvement throughout the roster to compete this season.
St. Bonaventure
From final season’s roster that completed lifeless final within the A10, head coach Jim Crowley nonetheless retains some expertise in each of this system’s top-two scorers with Isabellah Middleton and Dani Haskell.
The first challenge being that just about all the Bonnies offseason additions arrive from the JUCO ranks and whereas that’s usually a sensible method to construct up a program it’s not a terrific plan to win now.
This can be a really younger workforce with simply 4 seniors and in Crowley’s second season again with this system it’ll be all about redefining St. Bonaventure however as soon as once more in his picture.
La Salle
As I defined in my A10 males’s season preview, you merely don’t wager towards Fran Dunphy. With the La Salle girls additionally chosen final through their preseason ballot, I need to know who’s keen to wager towards a person named Mountain MacGillivary?
The Explorers head coach can have an uphill battle however now wholesome, Aryss Macktoon confirmed flashes as a freshman and immediately turns into the focus for this program’s improvement.
As a rising sophomore she’ll look to guide a youthful and pretty new look roster that’s bolstered with switch additions like San Francisco’s Jolene Armendariz and Saint Louis’ Ashleigh Connor.
If Macktoon can return from damage to guide this workforce, it’s exhausting to see La Salle ending backside of the convention based mostly on MacGillivary’s monitor file with youthful prospects on his roster.
