Who's here watching this game? UCD off to a nice start at the first time out. I can't remember the exact score but it was something like 11-3 or 11-4.

Edit: It was 13-4 at the first time out.

Greg Wong said Vic Baker and Ally Fitzgerald were injured. He didn't explain the injury. Greg mentioned someone else who was injured for two years who finally got a chance to play. Who was that?

Sahana Kanagasabay went down with an injury, and we're on break. The last person who is out of the game is Helen Matthews. She's supposed to be good.

The Aggies looked solid tonight beating Jessup 72-35. Ryan Bennett led the Ags with 21 followed by Megan Norris with 15.

Fitzgerald, Baker along with grad transfer where on in sweats. Didn’t see any braces or obvious injuries so hopefully they’ll be back soon. And a terrible site to see when Kanagasabay went down. Certainly looked like an ACL

Team looks like another solid group. It’s definitely Bennet’s team. The offense is just smoother when she’s at point. Liked the look of freshman Ersdala from Sweden and Letnfer from Alaska. Both look like they could develop into big contributors.

Terrible seeing Kanagasabay go down after all she's been through already.

Post mortem -

Overall, except for the injury a good opener against a weak opponent. Got to go against players who didn't know them and the scheme. Freshmen and transfers got to see where they need to grow. Gonna get tougher quickly vs. Idaho, which beat Washington State yesterday.

1 ) The DNP's - Apparently Vic Baker injured an ankle; hopefully back soon. Ally Fitzgerald apparently was an active participant during the scrimmage at the Kick-Off event on Sunday, so maybe a precaution in a meaningless game, or her back acting up? Helen Matthews was All Defensive team as junior in the SoCon, sat out a year with injury and came back last season. Made the SoCon All Tournament team. Injured her shoulder during the finals of the SoCon tournament. So yes, good!! Hopefully all back soon.

2) Sahana Kanagasabay looked pretty good prior to her injury - like she would be a definite contributor off the bench, especially on defense. Quick, fast and aggressive. I think she re-injured the same knee she hurt as a freshman at Providence. Looked like it went out as she went up for a layup in the first half. Was sitting on the end of the bench for awhile in the early 2nd half. Pretty sure she's done. Just crushed watching it unfold.

3) Teoni Tsami seems to be on a minutes restriction as she works back from her knee surgery. Looked rusty and not confident of her knee, especially after Sahana went down. Understandable.

4) Ryann Bennett looks ready to be a force, both offensively and defensively. Obvious time spent on her body as well as her game. Physically a whole new look. Agree with Oldbandalum that she takes the offense to a different level.

5) Megan Norris is another who looks a little more muscular. After one dumb foul, had a solid game and stopped swinging at shots trying to block them.. Just went straight up and rejected a bunch. Missed some layups, or would have hade 20+.

6) Nya Epps was her usual dominant defensive player. Offense is still looks like it will be streaky. Wish Nya would more consistently finish at the basket. But looking to contribute more at that end.

7) Avery Sussex is another who looks like she worked on her conditioning in the off season. Moved much better on defense than at anytime last year. Seemed very focused on taking care of the ball (didn't force passes), executing what Jen Gross wanted on the offensive end and playing within the offense. As that becomes more instinctive, I think she'll play more in rhythm. Showed more comfort directing teammates and and "being in charge" than last season. She and Bennett obviously like playing together and seem to be building a rapport. Huge going forward.

8) Tegan Young was solid, and like Sussex will be even better once the Aggie offensivee and defensive schemes become more instinctive. She rebounds and looked for her shot more as the game went on.

9) With Sahana going down, Tsami being on a minutes restriction, and depending on the injury situation with Baker, Fitzgerald and Matthews, the freshman will need to contribute immediately. Again I agree with Oldbandalum that Emmy Ersdala and Sophie Lentfer impressed, albeit against weak competition - 10 pts, 9 boards, 4 assists between them. Both had time in both front and backcourt. Obviously still thinking through situations, but generally good decision-making. Lenfer especially looks like a young filly still figuring out movement.
Carrington Davis was surprisingly the last player off the bench - considering that her HS pedigree tracked Ryann Bennet's very closely. She does play behind Bennett, Epps and Sussex, while Ersdala and Lentfer can also play up front due to size. Still Lentfer was the first freshman guard off the bench. Showed more her second shift.

In related news, Bria Shine started for UC Riverside vs. Cal Baptist - 28 minutes, 7 boards, 3 assists in a losing cause. Getting to play and have her master's degree paid for. Go Bria!!
Clara Glad started for Eastern Illinois vs. Drake, also a loss - 30 minutes, 11 points 3 boards, 2 assists and 2 steals.

great write up. Thanks!

I really enjoy your write ups. Very informative! I would love to see you do the same for the men as well.

Thank you! Very kind!
However, I already spend too much time on my computer, like another contributor said on a different thread recently. As a retired AP Lit & Comp teacher, I tend to go down the rabbit hole with my posts. :>(

Also, we have grandkids spread out from Foresthill to Alameda (grades 4 - 12). Most have 1 or more activities or sports, and we try to attend as many as possible. That takes up much time. At least, Davis is pretty centrally located. For most it's admittedly just being present. But a couple seem to be pretty talented - one 9th grade granddaughter does theatre and is in the ACT youth program and the Lesher Center rep company. A 7th grade granddaughter plays soccer and is going to Spain with a travel club over Thanksgiving to play in Surf Cup International - Salou 2025.

Plus my wife actually expects me to interact with her and do things around the house! Imagine that! LOL. Best part of my day, actually.

So gotta pick my spots with AST. I finished my HS coaching with girls teams, and it was lots of fun. So gravitated there with Aggie teams.

We seem to have watched the same game. I thought Tsami looked a little lost out there from time to time, especially toward the end of the 4th quarter. But with all the changes with the on court players it's no wonder! I wonder how Jen sorts it all out as she watches the various combinations.

The injury to Kanagasabay just looked awful from the moment it happened. I saw the trainer working that knee and have bad feelings. She clearly has a real talent but how to strengthen after her previous injuries is a mystery to me.

I sure saw a lot to like for the women's opener. We'll learn a lot more on Friday.

Bring ear protection.

Idaho's win over Washington State looks like a very physical game - 53 called fouls, evenly divided. And Idaho went hard to the offensive glass - 20 boards there. The Vandals won it at the line: +4 there to offset -1 from 2 pt range. Not much D by either team - both were 40% or better both overall and from beyond the arc.

I think we'll play better team defense, - we defended them well last year, even though Mazzie missed the game. And we'll need to protect our defensive glass - again, we did last year. Beyond that, Norris needs to stay out of foul trouble, especially early. Finally, the bench is a question mark...beginning with who'll be available, and how healthy they'll be. Losing Sahana really hurts the rotation, especially if we're still short-handed. Our bench out-scored theirs 23-4 last year.

Worst case scenario, we soundly lose a game that, if healthy, would have been winnable, but the freshmen and Tsami get lots of minutes, which should be a plus in the long run, this season and beyond.