Aggies Soar to New Heights: North Carolina A&T Women's Basketball Poised for Dominance in the CAA

The North Carolina A&T women's basketball program, a perennial powerhouse in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) under head coach Tarrell Robinson, has set its sights on even greater success. As the Aggies enter the 2024-25 season, they have been selected as the preseason favorite in the highly competitive Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), a testament to their unwavering excellence and the respect they have earned from their peers.

Aggies Cement Their Dominance with Preseason Accolades

Preseason Favorites in the CAA

The Aggies have secured the top spot in the CAA preseason poll, receiving 11 first-place votes and 166 total points from the league's head coaches. This marks the sixth time in the 13-season Robinson era that the Aggies have been named the preseason conference favorite, a remarkable feat that underscores their consistent excellence. Drexel, last season's preseason favorite, secured the second spot with two first-place votes and 148 points, while Towson, the reigning regular-season champion, received one first-place vote and was selected to finish third.

Preseason All-Conference Selections

In addition to the Aggies' preseason favorite status, the CAA also announced its preseason all-conference teams, and the Aggies were well-represented. Senior guard Jordyn Dorsey was a unanimous first-team selection, a testament to her outstanding performance last season, when she became the first player in program history to earn first-team All-CAA postseason accolades. Joining Dorsey on the first team is graduate guard Maleia Bracone, a two-time All-CAA defensive team member. Junior Chaniya Clark also earned a spot on the preseason second team, further solidifying the Aggies' presence on the conference's elite squads.

Embracing the Expectations

Head coach Tarrell Robinson expressed his pride in the recognition his program has received, stating, "I am extremely proud of this recognition for our program. In three years in this very competitive conference, we have gained the respect of my colleagues. To me, this gives credit to our recruiting, student-athlete development, and our administration's support. Now, it's about working toward those expectations because the target is on our backs."

Experienced Roster Fuels Aggies' Aspirations

The Aggies' preseason accolades are well-deserved, as they return a wealth of experienced talent. In addition to Dorsey, Bracone, and Clark, the Aggies also welcome back graduate guard D'Mya Tucker and sophomore Paris Locke, a 2024 All-CAA rookie team member. The Aggies have further bolstered their roster by adding experienced players from other schools through the transfer portal, enhancing their depth and experience.

Memorable WNIT Run Fuels Aggies' Ambitions

The Aggies' 2023-24 season was marked by a memorable run in the Women's National Invitational Tournament (WNIT), where they played in front of three massive home crowds at Corbett Sports Center. Their journey included a thrilling 56-51 win over crosstown rival UNC Greensboro and a buzzer-beating victory over Old Dominion that propelled them to the WNIT Super 16. Although their incredible run ended with an 89-75 loss to Troy, the experience of hosting a postseason NCAA-sanctioned game has only fueled the Aggies' ambitions to reach the ultimate stage: the NCAA tournament, a place they last visited in 2021.

Aggies Poised for a Breakout Season

With a roster brimming with experienced and talented players, the Aggies are poised for a breakout season in the CAA. Dorsey, Bracone, Tucker, and Clark all averaged double-figure scoring last season, and Clark led the conference in rebounding. The Aggies have also added depth and versatility through their offseason acquisitions, including Stony Brook transfer Delaney Yarborough, Elon's Ajia James, and Daija Powell from Bradley, among others.As the Aggies embark on their 2024-25 campaign, the expectations are high, and the target is firmly on their backs. But with their proven track record, experienced roster, and the support of their administration, the Aggies are ready to soar to new heights and cement their status as the premier women's basketball program in the CAA.