SAINT MARY'S WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Last season: 13-18, 6-10 (sixth in West Coast Conference).

Trainer: Jeff Cammon, second season, 13-18

Season start: Monday at Cal, 6 p.m

Planned starters: Sophomore guard Zeryhia Aokuso (12.1 points, 3.5 rebounds), redshirt sophomore guard Maia Jones (6.9 points, 1.5 rebounds), senior guard Kennedy Johnson (14.0 points, 6.8 rebounds). ), junior forward Melesungu Afeaki (1.0 points, 1.4 rebounds), junior forward Abigail Shoff (7.8 points, 4.8 rebounds)

Important reserves: Redshirt junior guard Addi Wedin (6.5 points, 2.8 rebounds), sophomore guard Ella Wedin (2.1 points, 1.0 rebounds), junior guard Mali Ennis (8.2 points, 6.8 rebounds),

Strengthen: The Gaels' group of returning players is led by Aokuso, last yr's WCC Freshman of the Year, and Jones, an all-freshman collection of the WCC team. Cammon brought with him several potential impact transfers alongside Aokuso and Jones, an inventory headlined by Jonson, Afeaki and Shoff.

Weaken: While Saint Mary's brought in a number of talent, in addition they lost several players to the transfer portal, including Tayla Dalton (Gonzaga), Makena Mastora (Pepperdine), and Ruby Vlahov (Santa Barbara). Due to offseason knee surgery, Aokuso can also be not expected to play until early December.

Outlook: Saint Mary's was picked eighth within the WCC's preseason poll, but that number may very well be higher if Aokuso were healthy. With Aokuso expected to miss a couple of quarter of the season, the Gaels will need their transfers to provide and reinforce their freshmen and sophomores.

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