There is a clear excitement in the air in Davidson as Nov. 3 fast approaches, as the entire fanbase boasts an enthusiastic feeling regarding the program’s overall progression.
“We are really honored to be picked third in the preseason poll, I think it speaks to the stability we’ve had, the talent and also the depth of our program and how we’ve been building it,” Davidson head coach Gayle Fulks stated. “While we graduated a lot, we did bring back our two leading scorers: Charlise Dunn and Katie Donovan. They are so instrumental in everything that we do. They can pass, they can shoot, they can handle, they can rebound, they can defend one through five and really are great leaders for our program as well.”
Those glowing words definitely signify an optimistic coach; Last year, the Wildcats made a single-season program record 250 3-pointers while ranking seventh in the nation in 3-point defense.
“Last year was a bit of a new year for us because the previous one hadn’t quite gone as well as we had wanted it to go,” explained Fulks. “A lot of our players got postseason experience to see what it was like to play in the Atlantic 10 tournament and WBIT. That experience was so valuable and all of our young players made such big jumps in the postseason to now. They’re really prepared and I think they have a much better idea of what this is all about and the standards we’ve been trying to raise since we’ve been at Davidson.”
Here is a look at the Wildcats:
Coach- Gayle Fulks - 9th season
Last year- Davidson went 19-14 overall and 13-5 in A-10 play. The Wildcats earned a double bye in the Atlantic 10 Championship for their regular season efforts and bested Dayton, holding the Flyers to 36 points in the process. This allowed Davidson to reach the conference semifinals for the first time in program history. Despite a loss to eventual champion George Mason, it made an appearance in the WBIT.
They’ll miss- Issy Morgan (9.7 ppg/81.2% FT), Mallorie Haines (6 ppg/46.7% FG), Millie Prior (5 ppg/5.9 rpg/44.9% FG)
Impact returners- Charlise Dunn (12 ppg/6.2 rebs/44 stls/preseason first and all-defensive teams), Katie Donovan (10.1 ppg/4.3 rebs/42% FG/preseason second team), Candice Leinafa (7.4 ppg/55.4% FG/40% 3’s/preseason third team)
Newcomers of note- Angeliki Ziaka (8 ppg/12 starts/ WCC All-Rookie Team at San Francisco), Ines Garcia Monje
Reasons to be optimistic: Charlise Dunn is back and she is very hungry for both personal and team success. Dunn was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Preseason First and Defensive Teams and is back for year four.
“Going into my senior year there was no doubt about coming back to Davidson, I love it here,” she beamed. “We went to the semifinals last year in the A-10 tournament and I want to win it this year.”
Having had success as a team, Dunn is determined to see even more on the court this season.
“I want to keep working on my defense,” outlined Dunn. “I am really proud that I was all-defensive preseason team, that’s awesome to me but I just want to keep working on that and my versatility offensively as well. I want to get better on cutting and finishing and adding more to my bag to be honest.”
The Wildcats also bring Candice Lienafa, an A-10 All-Rookie Team selection from last season. Lienafa showed her potential in a breakthrough game against Cincinnati, scoring 18 points in 21 minutes off the bench.
X Factor- Davidson’s success has extended to the recruiting trail, where now an effort has been made to focus on a specific mission and build the roster in that manner.
Ziaka is a transfer from San Francisco who averaged eight points a game, starting on 12 different occasions and being named to the West Coast Conference All-Rookie Team. Fulks already expressed a feeling as if she has been on campus forever, a sign of how much she has fit into the program and style of play.
Davidson has a trio of freshmen, all of whom have gotten off to good starts. Fulks expects none of them to be fazed given that each has played for national and professional teams, earning opportunities on the world stage. Each comes in more prepared to play in Davidson’s system and are ready to attack big moments. A standout of the three has been forward Ines Garcia Monje who has utilized her athleticism to find a role within the team..
Circle the date- Davidson has put together a non-conference slate where it faces five different NCAA Tournament teams including its first three games of the season in Mississippi State (second round), William & Mary and Florida Gulf Coast. The Mississippi State and Florida Gulf Coast contests will both be held on the road. A fourth opportunity comes against Baylor at the WBCA Showcase (second round), and another chance comes when Davidson hosts NC State (Sweet 16).
"We are playing seven teams that made the NCAA Tournament last year and that’s our goal," Fulks said. "We wanted to put a schedule together that would prepare us for the Atlantic 10 but also put us in consideration for an at-large bid. We’re excited for the increased expectations and sort of raising the bar here at Davidson College."
Bottom line: Davidson has been building, and the respect it has gained from the conference represents just how it has made a name for itself nationally. The Wildcats have plenty of belief in themselves and are determined to fearlessly take the next steps together.