Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com
'Cats Projected Fourth, Dunn Earns Preseason Honors
10/7/2024 8:30:00 AM | Women's Basketball
WASHINGTON, D.C - Off the heels of one of the programs most successful season, the Davidson women's basketball team was projected to finish fourth in the Atlantic 10, the league office announce Thursday with the unveiling of its annual preseason poll.
As a team, the Wildcats posted one of the program's strongest records a season ago at 18-8 to go along with a .692 winning percentage that ranked third best in program history, while the 18 wins were tied for the most in a season since 2013.
Davidson got off to an electric start, claiming a 12-1 record that included two wins over ACC opponents and their first-ever win over a ranked team. In mid-November, the Wildcats took a 69-62 win over Duke, which was receiving votes in the Associated Press Top 25 and was No. 22 in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Poll, inside of Cameron Indoor Stadium. The win over the Blue Devils ignited a 10-game winning streak for Davidson, which was the program's longest in 29 years.
Junior guard and Victoria, Australia native Charlise Dunn garnered A-10 Preseason Second Team honors after averaging 12.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per games a season ago. The averages ranked Dunn second on the squad in both categories behind fellow Australians Suzi-Rose Deegan (13.3 ppg) and Millie Prior (7.6 rebounds).
In her debut season wearing the red, black and white, Dunn was efficient from all spots on the floor shooting .417 from the field, .333 from beyond the arc and .855 from the foul line. Additionally, as a sophomore, Dunn appeared in 23 games making 16 starts for the 'Cats.
The junior enters the season having tallied four 20-point games including a career-high 27 against Saint Louis. Dunn also scored double digits in 15 of the 23 games she saw time in as well as recorded two double-doubles. For her efforts during the 2023-24 season, Dunn was an A-10 Third Team selection.
Dunn was joined on the six-player Second Team by Zahirah Walton (George Mason), Rachel Ullstrom (Richmond), Mackenzie Smith (Saint Joseph's), Peyton Kennedy (Saint Louis) and Timaya Lewis-Eutsey (VCU).
Richmond (216 points) was selected to repeat as the Atlantic 10 Champion after receiving 10 first-place votes, while Saint Joseph's (211) was again tabbed second with four first-place votes. George Mason (188) was picked third while Davidson (173) was close behind in the fourth slot, receiving one first-place vote.
VCU (153), Duquesne (148), Saint Louis (132), and Rhode Island (122) were all slotted in the upper middle of the conference. Following were Fordham (96) and Loyola Chicago (96) tied at ninth before Dayton (84) and George Washington (71). Rounding out the Preseason Poll were UMass (40), St. Bonaventure (38) and La Salle (32).
The 'Cats return eight players from the 2023-24 roster while welcoming a versatile and promising seven member incoming class featuring six freshmen and one transfer.
The 2025 Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Championships will return to Richmond, Va. at the Henrico Sports and Entertainment Center from March 5-9.
As a team, the Wildcats posted one of the program's strongest records a season ago at 18-8 to go along with a .692 winning percentage that ranked third best in program history, while the 18 wins were tied for the most in a season since 2013.
Davidson got off to an electric start, claiming a 12-1 record that included two wins over ACC opponents and their first-ever win over a ranked team. In mid-November, the Wildcats took a 69-62 win over Duke, which was receiving votes in the Associated Press Top 25 and was No. 22 in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Poll, inside of Cameron Indoor Stadium. The win over the Blue Devils ignited a 10-game winning streak for Davidson, which was the program's longest in 29 years.
Junior guard and Victoria, Australia native Charlise Dunn garnered A-10 Preseason Second Team honors after averaging 12.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per games a season ago. The averages ranked Dunn second on the squad in both categories behind fellow Australians Suzi-Rose Deegan (13.3 ppg) and Millie Prior (7.6 rebounds).
In her debut season wearing the red, black and white, Dunn was efficient from all spots on the floor shooting .417 from the field, .333 from beyond the arc and .855 from the foul line. Additionally, as a sophomore, Dunn appeared in 23 games making 16 starts for the 'Cats.
The junior enters the season having tallied four 20-point games including a career-high 27 against Saint Louis. Dunn also scored double digits in 15 of the 23 games she saw time in as well as recorded two double-doubles. For her efforts during the 2023-24 season, Dunn was an A-10 Third Team selection.
Dunn was joined on the six-player Second Team by Zahirah Walton (George Mason), Rachel Ullstrom (Richmond), Mackenzie Smith (Saint Joseph's), Peyton Kennedy (Saint Louis) and Timaya Lewis-Eutsey (VCU).
Richmond (216 points) was selected to repeat as the Atlantic 10 Champion after receiving 10 first-place votes, while Saint Joseph's (211) was again tabbed second with four first-place votes. George Mason (188) was picked third while Davidson (173) was close behind in the fourth slot, receiving one first-place vote.
VCU (153), Duquesne (148), Saint Louis (132), and Rhode Island (122) were all slotted in the upper middle of the conference. Following were Fordham (96) and Loyola Chicago (96) tied at ninth before Dayton (84) and George Washington (71). Rounding out the Preseason Poll were UMass (40), St. Bonaventure (38) and La Salle (32).
The 'Cats return eight players from the 2023-24 roster while welcoming a versatile and promising seven member incoming class featuring six freshmen and one transfer.
The 2025 Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Championships will return to Richmond, Va. at the Henrico Sports and Entertainment Center from March 5-9.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballWomen's Basketball Preseason Virtual Tip-off (10-21-25)
Wednesday, October 29
The Inside Out Show - Episode 7
Friday, January 31
Women's Basketball vs UMass Highlights
Thursday, January 25
Riana Doctor '26 - 'Cats on Tour Testimonial
Sunday, April 02
