Coming off a 24-5 season and back to back NCAA Tournament appearances, the University of Mary Washington women's basketball team welcomes back eight returnees from last year's squad, and will look toward another season at the top of the competitive Capital Athletic Conference.
The Eagles welcome back seniors Kendall Parker, one of the top perimiter shooters in the nation, and forward Taylor Barton, to lead by experience and skill. Parker gained second team All-CAC accolades last year after averaging 12.0 PPG and shooting 41.8% from long range as the Eagles' second leading scorer. She also gained CoSIDA Academic All-Region honors. Barton has been steady in the post for the Eagles for three seasons, and will look to help fill the void inside left by the graduation of consensus All-American Brianne Comden. Barton yielded 6.3 PPG while shooting 47.4% from the field, and led the team with 6.5 rebounds per contest a year ago.
Also back for head coach Deena Applebury in her 15th season at the helm are juniors McKenzie Jenkins, Jordan Pamlanye, Meghan Comer, and Alannah Miller. Jenkins proved to be an asset offensively and defensively for UMW last year, averaging 4.5 points and 1.4 rebounds while serving time running the offense. Her 5-5 three-point shooting against St. Mary's tied the school record. Pamlanye provides quality defense and offensive versatility, netting 4.1 PPG and shooting 47% from the field while grabbing 4.0 rebounds per game. Comer provides athleticism on offense and defense, averging 4.0 PPG, and Miller provides depth at the guard and forward positions.
Sophomore Emily Thompson will look to an increased role this season with the graduation of point guard Megan Green. Thompson, who played in 14 contests a year ago, has handled the point guard responsibilities in the early going favorably, as has freshman Kayla Sakyi. Sophomore Ashlee Warren will provide depth in the post.
Among the newcomers, Sakyi, Madison Shifflett, Jordan Lee, Claire Mocarski, Corrianna Calloway, and Tory Martin will provide height and depth, as the freshman class averages 5-11 in height, and adds athleticism and depth in their first season in the Burg.
The Eagles will open the season on Wednesday when they host Washington & Lee University at 6 p.m. The Eagles will host a tipoff tournament on Friday and Saturday with Gettysburg College, Lehman College, and Virginia Wesleyan College.