WASHINGTON -- It was quite the turnaround for a VCU team last season which got back to health and happiness on the court, one which set the NCAA record for most improved.
Now five of its top six scorers and 12 of 14 overall, in addition to the top three rebounders return to a program, determined to take the next step together.
“We’re very excited for the season,” VCU coach Beth O’Boyle beamed. “It’s great to be in practices now and really getting ready. We know that Nov. 6 will be here fast enough. We have a great group back, keeping the core together and excited about the summer that our players put in. Having Mary (-Anna Asare), Mykel (Parham), Jen (Ezeh) and Timaya (Lewis-Eutsey) back it is an exciting time for us and we’ve added a couple of newcomers that have added a lot of personality. They will have an impact for sure within our culture but also on the floor this season.”
In terms of returners, Lewis-Eutsey made the Atlantic 10 Preseason All-Conference Second Team, Asare the third team and Parham the All-Defensive Team.
O’Boyle admitted that she may have been biased in having Asare on a team last year. Asare finished play averaging 10.4 points per game, an increase from 7.1 her freshman season and shot 40.6% from deep, after an 18.2% mark in year one, a clear investment in her game.
Additionally, Lewis-Eutsey was a spark for the Rams, especially on the offense with her competitiveness and overall edge.
As for Parham, O'Boyle believe she is one of the toughest rebounders in the country with an unmatched motor. She also possesses an intensity which is off the charts.
Here’s a look at how the Rams stack up this season:
Coach- Beth O’Boyle, 11th season
Last Year- 26-6/15-3 A-10. VCU had two five-game winning streaks in conference play including the final quintet of games. Its run in the Atlantic 10 Championship was short lived, but the full body of work, which included a 14-1 home record, earned it a WBIT berth.
VCU was able to set an NCAA record for most improved, having a 19-win improvement from the 2022-23 season.
“There is just a moment of being proud,” O’Boyle said of the accomplishment. “In the age of college athletics when everybody talks about the portal and how easy it is to transfer, to leave, that the 26 wins are as attached to the seven-win season. All those players went through a tough year, but we did it together and all of them came back. What it means for each of them to wear the black and gold, be a part of VCU, to believe in us, that’s why the turnaround happened. It was how they handled the adversity, all of the injuries and everything the year before.”
They’ll Miss- Sarah Te-Biasu (16 ppg/40.7% FG/83 3’s/A-10 Player of the Year), Samantha Robinson (3 ppg/44.3% FG), Elze Motekaityte (24 games)
Impact returners- Timaya Lewis-Eutsey (12.9 ppg/48% FG), Mary-Anna Asare (10.4 ppg/40.6% FG/40.4% 3’s/80% FT), Jennifer Ezeh (6.1 ppg/45.5% FG), Mykel Parham (5.3 ppg/8.4 rebs/35 stls)
Newcomers of note- Alexia Black (9.5 ppg at Appalachian State), Cyriah Griffin (freshman), Isabel Whitelaw (freshman)
Reasons to be optimistic-
Having so many returners, it can be easy to be comfortable with a role, but O’Boyle explained that will not be the case.
While The Peppas play “You Don’t Want To Go To War With the Rams”, VCU will be growing on the court and do so together.
“I think it’ll be a lot of different roles for our returning players, that will be something I think they will be growing into especially on the offensive side,” remarked O’Boyle. “We’re looking forward to seeing how that chemistry and connection builds with this year’s squad.”
X-Factor- VCU added a proven scorer in Alexis Black from Appalachian State. Black averaged 9.5 points last season. As she learns principles, she will be counted on to make an impact this season.
“We were definitely looking for a veteran guard to come in and Lex was a proven scorer at Appalachian State,” O’Boyle determined. “She has played against A-10 teams and put-up double-digit points. We really wanted that to be something we were looking for. I think she’s been growing and learning our defensive systems and mindsets.”
VCU welcomes two freshmen to campus, hoping to follow in Lucia Sotelo’s footsteps from a year ago and make the A-10’s All-Rookie Team.
Isabel Whitelaw comes from Australia and is seen as a stretch four. Cyriah Griffin comes in as a quick, athletic point guard, who is the cousin of a familiar name to VCU fans, Briante Weber. Already, Griffin has expressed that she will go after the program’s steals records.
Circle the dates- Nov. 15 VCU hosts Temple, a team which won 20 games a season ago. Nov. 21 is a road game versus an Old Dominion side which as a 22-win squad advanced into the WNIT. On Nov. 29 and 30 in the Cancun Challenge, VCU will face San Diego State (22 wins and Mountain West Championship finals appearance) and Wisconsin (WNIT appearance). Upon returning home, it will await James Madison Dec. 5, a 23-win side which earned a WBIT berth.
Bottom line- Every day is a challenge for VCU as it tries to better everyone on the team, so it is prepared to face any challenger. Last season’s turnaround caught the entire country’s attention, it hopes the follow up is just as noticeable.
“Last year was an amazing season and I couldn’t ask to do it with a better group of girls,” Asare concluded. “Same thing going into this season. A lot of us did come back and I’m ready to grow with this team and see what other things we can accomplish this season. We still hold the same values, but now, we’re hoping for more because we set the ceiling so high last year. I feel that this is going to be a great season for us.”