Eastern Division
Team: Fordham
Record: 5-23 overall
Key Returnees: Nailah Wallace, Maureen Garvey, Mobolaji Akiode
Outlook: Fordham had the worst record in the Atlantic 10 last season. With a more experienced Nailah Wallace leading the team, they should improve on their record by a few games.
Team: UMass
Record: 12-17 overall
Key Returnees: Jennifer Butler, Amber Sneed, Nikole Smith
Outlook: UMass showed promise last year and could go .500 this season.
Team: Rhode Island
Record: 11-16 overall
Key Returners:Yatar Kuyateh, Lindsey O’Neill, Shayla Johnson.
Outlook: Rhode Island, a team that once only carried seven players on its roster, is basically in the same boat as UMass, maybe a step behind.
Team: Saint Bonaventure
Record: 7-19 overall
Key Returnees: Melissa Fazio, Gellaine Clark, Courtney Mattingly
Outlook: The Bonnies had a horrible record last year. A vast improvement on their performance isn’t expected but anything can happen.
Team: Saint Joseph’s
Record: 15-12 overall
Key Returnees: Susan Moran, Amra Mehmedic, Colleen McGahan.
Outlook: The Lady Hawks were a solid team last year, and should be Temple’s best competition in the division. McGahan returns from a season on injured reserve and should help right away with her sharp shooting.
Western Division
Team: Dayton
Record: 14-12 overall
Key Returnees: Stephanie Miller, Cyndi Stull, Kristy Hineline
Dayton had a so-so record last year, but a fall back might be possible. Look for them to go .500 this year.
Team: Duquesne
Record: 14-13 overall
Key Returnees: Khalinah-Este Shehu, Beth Friday, Jaime Vander Zanden
Outlook: A mediocre team that won’t improve much on their previous record of 14-13.
Team: George Washington
Record: 19-8
Key Returnees: Erika Lawrence, Elena Vishniakova, Lindsey Davidson
Outlook: This team was very good last year, and should be a contender for the A-10 crown. They have a great balance of outside shooters and an inside presence and are well-coached. They are the deepest team in the league.
Team: LaSalle
Record: 15-14
Key Returnees: Suzanne Keilty, Chrissy Walker, Beth Hudak
Outlook: A solid team, with a solid mix of upper and under classmen. The Explorers should have a fine season.
Team: Xavier
Record: 24-2 overall
Key Returnees: Reeta Piipari, Amy Waugh
Outlook: Xavier beat Tennessee in the women’s NCAA tournament last season after winning the A-10 tournament. But that was with a front court that included Taru Tuukkanen and Jennifer Phillips and shooter/defender Nicole Levandusky, all three were drafted into the WNBA. Xavier will be forced to rely on guards Reeta Piipari and Amy Waugh and new players inside this season. Xavier is still well-coached by Melanie Balcomb and, if Piipari and Waugh can play together, should compete with George Washington for the division title.
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