LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University women’s basketball team will tune up for its 2023-24 campaign by hosting crosstown foe Spalding in an exhibition game at 1 p.m. (ET) Sunday in Freedom Hall.
The warm-up against the Golden Eagles will help Bellarmine gear up for a trip to California to open the season in which the Knights will face San Jose State on Nov. 9 and No. 4 UCLA on Nov. 12. Building an early intra-city theme, BU follows its trek to The Golden State by visiting another crosstown opponent in No. 17 Louisville on Nov. 16.
Division III Spalding had a recent head-coaching change, as Ben Arsenault was hired in September. He took over a squad that went 6-19 last season. The teams played a countable game for Bellarmine in 2021-22, with the Knights capturing a 105-48 win in Freedom Hall.
Now in its fourth season in Division I, Bellarmine more than doubled its win total from the previous year after going 9-22 in 2022-23. The Knights had several other single-digit losses that they’ll hope to flip on their head this season with a roster that returns largely intact under Coach Chancellor Dugan, who is entering her 12th season at the helm of the program.
Reigning ASUN Freshman of the Year Gracie Merkle was voted ASUN Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and was a unanimous selection to the Preseason All-ASUN Team. The 6-foot-6 sophomore center led the nation last season in field-goal percentage (.702) while also topping the ASUN in rebounding (11.0) and double-doubles (19), ranking second in blocks (2.3) and finishing third in scoring (15.1).
Bellarmine’s second-leading scorer in Hayley Harrison (10.3) is also back. The junior guard led the team in assists (2.2), total steals (36), 3-pointers made (38) and free-throw percentage (77.8) a year ago.
In addition to Harrison, Bellarmine returns several backcourt members who garnered significant minutes last season. Senior Claire Knies logged 25 starts, sophomore Jayla Butler amassed 23 and sophomore Miyah Brown collected 11. Senior guard and long-range specialist Mackenzie Keelin appeared in every game last season.
While Bellarmine lost Sheniqua Coatney to graduation, the Knights still have seasoning in the frontcourt. In addition to Merkle, senior forward Cam Browning (8.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists) is back after making considerable contributions last year before a season-ending injury prior to ASUN play. Senior forward Lucy Robertson adds further experience on the interior.
Beyond Browning, Bellarmine was unlucky overall in the health department last season. Senior guard Ashlee Harris, junior guard Bralee Trice and sophomore guard Amaya Curry have returned. Sophomore guard Aly Avrach is another member who is back.
Particularly in the era of the transfer portal, Bellarmine experienced very little roster turnover. The Knights do have new additions in junior guard Hope Sivori, a transfer from Western Kentucky who was the 2021 Conference USA Freshman of the Year, and sophomore forward Paetynn Gray, who started 20 games at Monroe (NY) College last season and led the team in blocks.
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