The Iona College women’s basketball is looking to get into the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years. Just like the men’s team, the Gaels has plenty of new faces and underclassmen for the new season.

Iona has 10 underclassmen—five freshmen and five sophomores—on the roster. The team does have its fair share of upperclassmen as well, with juniors Treyanna Clay and Alexis Lewis alongside senior Kristin Mahoney.

Lewis, who was named to the all-conference first team, is expected to be the focal point on offense as she led the Gaels in scoring last season, shooting 40 percent from the floor and 37 percent from behind the arc.

The Gaels young squad was set with lofty expectations after they were ranked third in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Preseason Poll. With Quinnipiac standing at the top of the MAAC after winning the championship and making a strong run in the NCAA Tournament last season, Iona will have a tough climb at regaining MAAC dominance.

The experience the Gaels will gain from their non-conference and conference schedule will be good for the young players, as they will not only be tested early in their collegiate career, but will begin the process of developing their team.

If Iona’s young core can stay together, they will have three seasons to deliver another women’s MAAC Championship to the school.

Head coach Billi Godsey-Chambers, who is entering her fourth season, has plenty of experience under her belt at Iona. She led the team to the upset over Quinnipiac in the MAAC Championship in 2016 and guided the Gaels to the conference semifinals. Godsey-Chambers has shown her capability to develop a team to compete on a daily basis.

Iona is a young team with a lot of talent and potential. It will be interesting to see how everything comes together throughout the season. 

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