University of Richmond Athletics
Women’s Basketball Tabbed Preseason Favorites; Budnik, Doogan and Ullstrom Highlight Preseason All-Conference Teams
10/07/2024 | Women's Basketball
Richmond, who is coming off a record-breaking 2023-24 season highlighted by the program's first A-10 Championship and regular season title, received 216 points and 10 first-place votes in the poll. Saint Joseph's was tabbed second in the poll with 211 points and four first-place votes. George Mason (188) was tabbed third in the poll while Davidson picked up the final first-place vote and was voted fourth in the poll with 173 points.
Crosstown rival VCU (153) was picked fifth while Duquesne (132), 2024 WNIT Champion Saint Louis (132) and Rhode Island (122) round out the top-eight. Fordham (96) and Loyola Chicago (96) tied for the tenth-place pick while Dayton (84), George Washington (71), Massachussets (40), St. Bonaventure (38) and La Salle round out the poll.
In addition to the preseason poll, the Spiders also have the honor of highlighting Addie Budnik and Maggie Doogan to the Preseason All-Conference First Team while Rachel Ullstrom picked up Second Team honors. Budnik, who was named A-10 Defensive Player of the Year in 2023-24, was also named to the Preseason All-Defensive Team.
In 2023-24, Budnik was Named Most Outstanding Player in the A-10 Championship Tournament and was named to the A-10 All-Conference Second Team. Doogan highlighted the 2024 A-10 All Championship Team and the A-10 All-Conference First Team last season and finished the year as the leading scorer for the Spiders, averaging 15.4 ppg. Ullstrom, the reigning A-10 Sixth Women of the Year ended the season 10th in the A-10 in three pointers (68) and was 11th in the A-10 in three pointers per game with 1.94.
The Spiders welcome back a plethora of core talent in 2024-25 in addition to seven new faces in transfers Faith Alston (App State), Sam Dewey (Illinois), Alyssa Jimenez (FGCU, Nevada), Steph Ouderkirk (JMU) and freshmen Annika Manthy, Payton Richard and Alicia Newell. Anna Camden and Jada Green, who both missed last season due to injury, will look to return to the court this season.
Richmond opens the 2024-25 season on Nov. 4 at Temple before playing host to Morgan State on Nov. 9 for the home opener. Fans wishing to purchase season tickets can call the Richmond Athletics Ticket Office at 1-877-SPIDER-1. Single-game tickets and mini-plans will go on sale soon.
PRESEASON POLL
-
Richmond (10) ........................................................ 216
-
Saint Joseph's (4) ................................................... 211
-
George Mason ........................................................ 188
-
Davidson (1)............................................................. 173
-
VCU ............................................................................. 153
-
Duquesne ................................................................. 148
-
Saint Louis ................................................................ 132
-
Rhode Island ............................................................ 122
-
Fordham ................................................................... 96
Loyola Chicago ....................................................... 96
-
Dayton ....................................................................... 84
-
George Washington ............................................. 71
-
Massachusetts......................................................... 40
-
St. Bonaventure ...................................................... 38
-
La Salle ....................................................................... 32
Preseason All-Conference First Team
Player School Year Megan McConnell Duquesne Sr. Taylor Donaldson Fordham Gr. Addie Budnik Richmond Gr. Maggie Doogan Richmond Jr. Talya Brugler Saint Joseph's Sr. Laura Ziegler Saint Joseph's Jr. Preseason All-Conference Second Team
Player School Year Charlise Dunn Davidson Jr. Zahirah Walton George Mason So. Rachel Ullstrom Richmond Jr. Mackenzie Smith Saint Joseph's Sr. Peyton Kennedy Saint Louis Gr. Timaya Lewis-Eutsey VCU Jr. Preseason All-Defensive Team
Player School Year Megan McConnell Duquesne Sr. Anaelle Dutat Rhode Island Jr. Addie Budnik Richmond Gr. Kennedy Calhoun VCU Gr. Mykel Parham Saint Louis Sr.
