University of Delaware Athletics
Women's Basketball Gears Up for an Exciting 2024-25 Season
10/28/2024 4:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
NEWARK, Del. – As the University of Delaware women's basketball program enters its 53rd season, anticipation builds for a memorable year under head coach Sarah Jenkins. With eight returning players and five talented newcomers, the Blue Hens are set to elevate Jenkins' third season at the helm.
Last year, the Blue Hens advanced to the second round of the 2024 Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Tournament for the second consecutive season, finishing with an 11-20 record (7-11 CAA). This season, Delaware was picked to finish sixth in the CAA Preseason Coaches' Poll, and graduate student Chloe Wilson earned Preseason All-CAA Second Team honors. Teammates Tara Cousins and Ande'a Cherisier received All-CAA Honorable Mentions.
The Veterans
Leading the charge are Wilson, Cherisier, and Cousins—key players ready to guide the Blue Hens forward.
Cousins will lead a versatile backcourt featuring several new faces:
The Blue Hens' frontcourt features veterans and emerging talent:
The Blue Hens will play 13 home games at the Bob Carpenter Center, kicking off Nov. 12 against Temple. Other key non-conference matchups include Colgate (Nov. 19), Delaware State (Dec. 7), and Villanova (Dec. 29).
The Road Warriors
Delaware starts the season on the road, with early matchups at George Washington (Nov. 4) and La Salle (Nov. 9). The team will also compete in the Big Easy Classic and face Navy, Old Dominion, and Harvard before conference play begins.
The CAA Farewell Tour
The Blue Hens will begin their final CAA season on Jan. 3 at Drexel, with a home finale against Towson on Mar. 8. The team aims to secure its fourth conference title at the 2025 CAA Championship, held Mar. 12-16 in Washington, D.C.
Selection Sunday for the 2025 NCAA Tournament takes place on Mar. 16, with first-round games starting Mar. 21 at top-16 seeds.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware women's basketball, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter, Instagram, and like on Facebook
Last year, the Blue Hens advanced to the second round of the 2024 Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Tournament for the second consecutive season, finishing with an 11-20 record (7-11 CAA). This season, Delaware was picked to finish sixth in the CAA Preseason Coaches' Poll, and graduate student Chloe Wilson earned Preseason All-CAA Second Team honors. Teammates Tara Cousins and Ande'a Cherisier received All-CAA Honorable Mentions.
The Veterans
Leading the charge are Wilson, Cherisier, and Cousins—key players ready to guide the Blue Hens forward.
- Wilson (Freeport, N.Y.): In her debut season with the Blue Hens, Wilson started 27 of 30 games, averaging 11.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. She tallied four double-doubles, including three 20+ point games and a season-high 23 points at Towson.
- Cherisier (Baltimore, Md.): Cherisier shined as a freshman, earning CAA All-Rookie Team honors. She averaged 9.1 points and 4.6 rebounds, with 12 double-digit scoring efforts and a career-high 21 points against Towson.
- Cousins (Washington, D.C.): A leader from Delaware's 2021-22 championship team, Cousins delivered her best season yet, averaging 10.3 points and 2.1 assists. She had five 20+ point games and earned CAA Player of the Week honors.
Cousins will lead a versatile backcourt featuring several new faces:
- Ella Wanzer (Buffalo, N.Y.): A transfer from Binghamton, Wanzer brings experience and sharpshooting ability, averaging 9.9 points and 38.0% from three over three seasons.
- Sydney Boone (Richmond, Va.): Boone averaged 8.5 points and 2.9 assists last season, starting 25 games and posting 13 double-digit performances.
- Alieghya Bartholomew (Toronto, Canada): A junior transfer from Gulf Coast State, Bartholomew earned First Team NJCAA All-American honors, averaging 15.2 points and 5.7 assists.
- Jiya Perry (DeSoto, Texas): Perry, a junior transfer from SMU, adds depth with 54 games of Division I experience.
- Grace Sundback (Staten Island, N.Y.): Sundback averaged 5.7 points as a freshman, setting career highs with 13 points and multiple three-pointers against NC A&T.
- Trinity Vance (Waterloo, S.C.): Vance joins as a promising freshman guard from Legacy Early College.
The Blue Hens' frontcourt features veterans and emerging talent:
- Rebecca Demeke (Toronto, Canada): Demeke averaged 7.2 points last season, shooting 39.9% from beyond the arc with multiple 20-point games.
- Michelle Ojo (Virginia Beach, Va.): Ojo returns for her third season, known for her energy off the bench and a career-best 15-point effort against Northeastern.
- Arantxa Portalez (Zaragoza, Spain): Portalez continues to develop after appearing in 11 games as a freshman.
- Gianna Johnson (Levittown, Pa.): A promising freshman set to make her debut in the frontcourt.
The Blue Hens will play 13 home games at the Bob Carpenter Center, kicking off Nov. 12 against Temple. Other key non-conference matchups include Colgate (Nov. 19), Delaware State (Dec. 7), and Villanova (Dec. 29).
The Road Warriors
Delaware starts the season on the road, with early matchups at George Washington (Nov. 4) and La Salle (Nov. 9). The team will also compete in the Big Easy Classic and face Navy, Old Dominion, and Harvard before conference play begins.
The CAA Farewell Tour
The Blue Hens will begin their final CAA season on Jan. 3 at Drexel, with a home finale against Towson on Mar. 8. The team aims to secure its fourth conference title at the 2025 CAA Championship, held Mar. 12-16 in Washington, D.C.
Selection Sunday for the 2025 NCAA Tournament takes place on Mar. 16, with first-round games starting Mar. 21 at top-16 seeds.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware women's basketball, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter, Instagram, and like on Facebook
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