This season for the CAA women

5 impact newcomers

JoNiquia Guilford, 5-10, fr., G, Old Dominion A preseason knee injury was hardly the start to her career she wanted, but given time, the dynamic scorer from Wilson High will add more athleticism to an already athletic Lady Monarch perimeter.

Sarah Williams, 6-0 jr., G, James Madison She transferred from Richmond after being part of the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team in 2005-06.

Katrina Wheeler, 6-3, jr., C, Towson Wheeler is a huge addition, having started 51 of 53 games at Georgetown, where she averaged 8.1 points and 8.1 rebounds her sophomore year.

Asia Jenkins, 5-9, fr., G, Hofstra The New Jersey native will be eligible in the second semester after transferring from Cincinnati. She was a first-team All-New Jersey selection her senior year in high school.

Dana Olsen, 6-1, jr., F, Georgia State Olsen was No. 2 in the nation in scoring with 24.2 points per game in earning first-team All-America honors at Labette (Kan.) Community College. The rest of her line isn't shabby either: 57 percent shooting, 7.1 rebounds and 84 percent accuracy from the foul line.

5 storylines to follow

1 If the Lady Monarchs are to win an 18th straight CAA tournament title, they'll have to win three games in Harrisonburg. The last time they won a game there was in 2005.

2 Last season, Virginia Commonwealth went to the WNIT and finished 26-8, even with center Quanitra Hollingsworth missing the final 11 games with a torn Achilles'. Will the Rams be even better with the Great Bridge High graduate returning for her senior year?

3 After three straight years of recording 20 or more wins and advancing to postseason play, Delaware slumped to 7-24. Can coach Tina Martin regroup with a roster that includes four freshmen and four sophomores?

4 Two years ago, the CAA placed three teams in the NCAA tournament. It was the first time any team from the league received an at-large bid since 1996. Last year, ODU was the only team to make it, and no one other than the Lady Monarchs is in the preseason top 25 or even receiving votes. Is the CAA mediocre again?

5 Elena Della Donne, the nation's top recruit, is playing volleyball at Delaware after saying she was burned out on basketball and reneging on her commitment to UConn. What if she peeks in at a Delaware basketball practice and gets the itch to play again?

They said it

"At Wilmington."

Seahawks coach Ann Hancock when asked if she'd like to see Della Donne playing in the CAA.

"She had so many great experiences. She called me one day and said, 'Coach, I just met Usher.' "

JMU coach Kenny Brooks on Tamera Young's initial season in the WNBA

"Tyne Daly."

ODU coach Wendy Larry's response when asked who would play her in a movie

"Julia Roberts."

Blue Hens coach Tina Martin's response to the same question.

By the numbers

70 Blocked shots by ODU's Tiffany Green last year.

51 Consecutive victories by ODU in the CAA tournament.

26 Consecutive victories ODU has on its home court, tied for most in the nation with Hartford.

19 Points averaged by preseason Player of the Year Gabriela Marginean of Drexel last season.

5 Starters returning for Georgia State.

1 New coach in the CAA: Former Radford coach Jeri Porter replaced Debbie Taneyhill at George Mason.

5 who moved on

T.J. Jordan The conference's all-time 3-point ace from ODU is playing ball in Slovenia.

Britne Rodgers The Princess Anne High graduate left Hofstra last month for unspecified personal reasons. A conference All-Rookie team forward last year, Rodgers was the Pride's third-leading scorer and one of the team's top rebounders.

Nikki Moats A Tennessee transfer, Moats was expected to play a huge role for JMU, but personal issues derailed her basketball career, and coach Kenny Brooks said she will not play for the Dukes.

Kia Butts The Kellam High graduate who was an assistant coach at William and Mary is the school's new assistant dean of admissions.

Kyle DeHaven She started at William and Mary and transferred to Delaware before finishing up second all-time in the CAA in steals. DeHaven now plays in Germany.

Vicki L. Friedman, (757) 477-6874, VickiL120@cox.net