Drexel University Athletics
Women's Basketball Picked to Finish Second in CAA; Baker Named to Preseason First Team
10/18/2024 1:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
RICHMOND, Va. – The Drexel women's basketball team was picked to finish second place in the CAA for the 2024-25 season, according to a vote of the league's head coaches. Senior Amaris Baker earned a spot on the 2024-25 CAA Preseason First Team as a unanimous selection.
Drexel, which received two first-place votes and 148 points, finished just behind N.C. A&T. The Aggies had 11 first-place votes and 166 points. Towson also garnered one first-place vote and finished with 134 points. Following the Tigers, Charleston and William & Mary tied for fourth. Delaware, Elon, Campbell, Stony Brook, Monmouth, UNCW, Hofstra, Northeastern and Hampton round out the poll.
Drexel captured its third CAA title in program history after winning seven straight games to end last season. Amaris Baker, who finished the season scoring double digits in 12 straight games, won the Most Outstanding Player of the 2024 CAA Tournament. The Philadelphia native averaged 19.8 points in the four tournament games. In addition to Amaris, the Dragons return Chloe Hodges and Grace O'Neill, both starters on the 2023-24 team.
The Janet E. & Barry C. Burkholder Family Head Women's Basketball Coach Amy Mallon bolstered the team with key additions bringing in three transfers and four first-year players. Deja Evans joins the team after finishing her rookie campaign at UAlbany and earning a spot on the America East All-Conference Third Team, Defensive Team and Rookie Team. Cara McCormack, a graduate transfer from Holy Cross, helped her team capture a Patriot League title last season. She was named to the Patriot League Championship All-Tournament Team and the All-Patriot League Third Team. Lastly, Molly Lavin joins the Dragons as a junior transfer from American, where she appeared in 28 of the 30 games last season.
The Dragons open their season on Nov. 7 against Marist and will have its CAA Championship banner unveiled prior to the game. The Dragons will play their first-ever Big 5 game on Nov. 13 at the DAC against La Salle. It will be one of 14 home games for the defending CAA champions.
Women's single game tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at drexeldragons.com/tickets or by calling 866-4-DREXEL. Season tickets can also be purchased through the month of October and start at $85.
2024-25 CAA Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
Preseason Player of the Year: Taryn Barbot (Charleston)*
2024-25 All-CAA Preseason First Team
2024-25 All-CAA Preseason Second Team
Honorable Mention: Ande'a Cherisier (So., C, Delaware); Tara Cousins (Gr., G, Delaware); Cassidy Geddes (So., G, William & Mary); Jania Hall (Gr., G, UNCW); Raven Preston (R-So., G, Elon).
*Unanimous Selection
Drexel, which received two first-place votes and 148 points, finished just behind N.C. A&T. The Aggies had 11 first-place votes and 166 points. Towson also garnered one first-place vote and finished with 134 points. Following the Tigers, Charleston and William & Mary tied for fourth. Delaware, Elon, Campbell, Stony Brook, Monmouth, UNCW, Hofstra, Northeastern and Hampton round out the poll.
Drexel captured its third CAA title in program history after winning seven straight games to end last season. Amaris Baker, who finished the season scoring double digits in 12 straight games, won the Most Outstanding Player of the 2024 CAA Tournament. The Philadelphia native averaged 19.8 points in the four tournament games. In addition to Amaris, the Dragons return Chloe Hodges and Grace O'Neill, both starters on the 2023-24 team.
The Janet E. & Barry C. Burkholder Family Head Women's Basketball Coach Amy Mallon bolstered the team with key additions bringing in three transfers and four first-year players. Deja Evans joins the team after finishing her rookie campaign at UAlbany and earning a spot on the America East All-Conference Third Team, Defensive Team and Rookie Team. Cara McCormack, a graduate transfer from Holy Cross, helped her team capture a Patriot League title last season. She was named to the Patriot League Championship All-Tournament Team and the All-Patriot League Third Team. Lastly, Molly Lavin joins the Dragons as a junior transfer from American, where she appeared in 28 of the 30 games last season.
The Dragons open their season on Nov. 7 against Marist and will have its CAA Championship banner unveiled prior to the game. The Dragons will play their first-ever Big 5 game on Nov. 13 at the DAC against La Salle. It will be one of 14 home games for the defending CAA champions.
Women's single game tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at drexeldragons.com/tickets or by calling 866-4-DREXEL. Season tickets can also be purchased through the month of October and start at $85.
2024-25 CAA Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
| Team (1st) | Points |
| 1. N.C. A&T (11) | 166 |
| 2. Drexel (2) | 148 |
| 3. Towson (1) | 134 |
| T4. Charleston | 124 |
| T4. William & Mary | 124 |
| 6. Delaware | 119 |
| 7. Elon | 86 |
| 8. Campbell | 76 |
| 9. Stony Brook | 70 |
| 10. Monmouth | 65 |
| 11. UNCW | 59 |
| 12. Hofstra | 50 |
| 13. Northeastern | 33 |
| 14. Hampton | 19 |
Preseason Player of the Year: Taryn Barbot (Charleston)*
2024-25 All-CAA Preseason First Team
| Name | School | Class | Position | Hometown |
| Patricia Anumgba* | Towson | Gr. | G | Silver Spring, Md. |
| Amaris Baker* | Drexel | Sr. | G | Philadelphia, Pa. |
| Taryn Barbot* | Charleston | So. | G | Floral Park, N.Y. |
| Maleia Bracone | N.C. A&T | Gr. | G | Anderson, S.C. |
| Jordyn Dorsey* | N.C. A&T | Sr. | G | Augusta, Ga. |
2024-25 All-CAA Preseason Second Team
| Name | School | Class | Position | Hometown |
| Iycez Adams | Elon | Sr. | F | Greensboro, N.C. |
| Chaniya Clark | N.C. A&T | R-Jr. | C | Fort Myers, Fla. |
| Taylor Henderson | UNCW | R-So | G | Charlotte, N.C. |
| Bella Nascimento | William & Mary | Sr. | G | Grafton, Mass. |
| Chloe Wilson | Delaware | 5th | F | Freeport, N.Y. |
Honorable Mention: Ande'a Cherisier (So., C, Delaware); Tara Cousins (Gr., G, Delaware); Cassidy Geddes (So., G, William & Mary); Jania Hall (Gr., G, UNCW); Raven Preston (R-So., G, Elon).
*Unanimous Selection
Players Mentioned
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