By Dave Johnson
W&M Athletics

In Erin Dickerson Davis' first season as head coach, William & Mary took a school-record 700 shots from the 3-point arc. That represented 37% of its total field goal attempts, more than any team in the CAA except Monmouth.

Don't expect that to be the team's M.O. this season. Riley Casey and Sydney Wagner, who combined for 142 of W&M's 226 made threes last year, have moved on with their MBAs. And while the Tribe won't completely abandon the 3-pointer — Davis would never let that happen — it will have a stronger inside presence.

"We're still shooting threes in practice — a couple too many," Davis said. "But because we are so much more versatile now, we're looking a lot into the paint. We have more options where our fours and fives will be able to thrive both on the perimeter and around the basket."

"We like to allow some freedom of movement for our post players so they don't feel so stuck on the blocks, and so far, it's worked really well for us. As we continue to get our offense going, I think you will see a more versatile style of play than we had last year."

No single returnee in the post produced big numbers last season, and none of them qualify as trees. But there is plenty of depth.

Rebekah Frisby-Smith is only 5-foot-11 but she filled the stat sheet last season with 7.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists a game. Caitlin Wingertzahn (4.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg), Kayla Rolph (4.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg), Kayla Beckwith (3.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg) and Madison Magee (3.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg) saw plenty of minutes.

Also back is Dani McTeer, a 6-foot sophomore who redshirted last season with an injury. As a freshman in 2021-22, she made 28 starts and averaged 6.5 points and 4.6 rebounds a game. She was named to the CAA's All-Rookie team.

A major addition from the transfer portal is 5-11 Nylah Young, a grad student from Hampton University who had 1,316 points and 290 rebounds in four seasons. She scored a season-high 25 points against the Tribe on Feb. 3.

"She's going to be a very important part of what we do," Davis said. "She saw in the recruiting process a void we were losing with Bre (Bellamy), who was a captain. She's coming in to fill that void and build on what she's already done in this league."

Young already feels at home.

"I'm definitely blessed to be in this program," she said. "I didn't know how coaches could really have an effect on me like this, and I really appreciate the support and the conversations we have. Everything just feels right here."

"I feel like I can really grow. I'm really excited about this team and to see what we do in the CAA this year."

Another frontcourt player from the portal is 6-foot Anahi-Lee Cauley, who played two seasons at Villanova. Incoming freshman Cate Carlson, who scored more than 2,000 points at Catholic High in Virginia Beach, can post up or shoot from the perimeter.

Losing Casey and Wagner leaves obvious scoring issues in the backcourt, but returning are sophomore Alexa Mikeska (4.8 ppg, 2.9 apg, 2.6 rpg), senior Lanni Brown (11 points, 5-of-6 shooting vs. North Carolina A&T) and junior Ruthie Montella (CAA All-Rookie in 2021-22).

The Tribe also has three newcomers: Manhattan transfer Bella Nascimento and freshmen Cassidy Geddes and Monet Dance. Nascimento averaged 9.5 points with the Jaspers last winter.

The 2022-23 season was an unqualified success with 18 wins, a school-record-tying 12 coming in conference play. It was the most wins ever by a first-year W&M coach.

But this is a new season and a new team.

"I inherited a team of 14 girls last year," Davis said. "Now, we have nine returners and six newcomers. This year feels different and looks different, and I can't treat this year's team like last year's team. They're very different.

"We found that success and we know what it feels like to win, and now everyone is hungry for that. Last year, we were a little unsure if we could achieve that. It's different, and that's OK. We're just going to enjoy the process."