Hopeful preseason outlook for Flyers Women’s Basketball

November 18, 2023November 18, 2023 Luke Osciak

Pictured is the UD women’s basketball team against Lindenwood University.

Clare Mathews | Sports Editors

Last year was Tamika Williams-Jeter’s first season as head coach for the Flyers. With a season with the Flyers under her belt, the team is predicted to finish two spots higher than they did last year in the Atlantic-10 Conference.

Dayton Women’s Basketball had a 7-21 overall record with their season ending in the Second Round of the Atlantic-10 Conference Tournament to No. 5 Richmond. This placed them at 11th in the A-10 for the season. This year, they were picked to finish two spots ahead of that at ninth in the Conference.

Additionally, Mariah Perez, a grad student from Newark, NJ, was named to the All-Atlantic 10 Preseason Third Team. Last year, Perez personally had a successful season that earned her the title of the team’s Most Improved Player. She started every single one of the 27 games for the Flyers last season. Perez also had career highs with an average of 11.9 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.

Perez is one of the nine returning Flyers, including redshirt senior, Destiny Bohanon, and senior, Anyssa Jones. The roster also consists of 4 freshmen and junior transfer, Ivy Wolf. Wolf played her first two seasons at Miami University, where she started every single game over the two years. Last season, Wolf earned Third-Team All-MAC after averaging 17.0 points, 3.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game in the 2022-23 season.

The Flyers opened up the 2023-24 regular season on the road against No. 2 UConn on Wednesday, Nov. 8. UConn also happens to be Dayton head coach Tamika Williams-Jeter’s alma mater and she faced her former head coach, Geno Auriemma. The Flyers were not able to secure the win in Connecticut against the powerhouse program.

The Flyers defeated Lindenwood, 91-73, in their first game at UD Arena on Sunday, Nov. 12. Some keys to their success were the team’s fantastic rebounding and strong defense. As a team, the Flyers secured 44 rebounds and forced 17 turnovers. It was a complete team effort as five different Flyers recorded double digit scoring.

The Flyers head to Ohio University for their next game on Thursday, Nov. 12. The Flyers will have two more home games, against Detroit and SIUE, before heading to the Daytona Beach Classic. The Flyers will open up conference play at Davidson on Tuesday, Dec. 5.