Last season: 13-18, 6-10 (sixth in the West Coast Conference).
Coach: Jeff Cammon, second season, 13-18
Season opener: Monday at Cal, 6 p.m.
Projected starters: Sophomore guard Zeryhia Aokuso (12.1 points, 3.5 rebounds), redshirt sophomore guard Maia Jones (6.9 points, 1.5 rebounds), senior guard Kennedy Johnson (14.0 points, 6.8 rebounds), junior forward Melesungu Afeaki (1.0 points, 1.4 rebounds), junior forward Abigail Shoff (7.8 points, 4.8 rebounds)
Key reserves: Redshirt junior guard Addi Wedin (6.5 points, 2.8 rebounds), sophomore guard Ella Wedin (2.1 points, 1.0 rebounds), junior guard Mali Ennis (8.2 points, 6.8 rebounds),
Strengths: The Gaels’ group of returning players is headlined by Aokuso, last year’s WCC freshman of the year, and Jones, an WCC all-freshman team selection. Cammon brought in several potential impact transfers along with Aokuso and Jones, a list that’s headlined by Jonson, Afeaki and Shoff.
Weaknesses: While Saint Mary’s brought in a lot of talent, they lost several players to the transfer portal as well, a list that includes Tayla Dalton (Gonzaga), Makena Mastora (Pepperdine) and Ruby Vlahov (Santa Barbara). Aokuso is also not expected to play until early December due to offseason knee surgery.
Outlook: Saint Mary’s was picked to finish eighth in the WCC’s preseason poll, but that number might be higher if Aokuso was healthy. With Aokuso set to miss roughly about a quarter of the season, the Gaels will need their transfers to produce and their freshmen and sophomores to step up.
— Justice delos Santos
