San Diego's women's basketball scene is buzzing with change—will these teams rise to the challenge or falter under new pressures?
Last season was a landmark year for San Diego State and UC San Diego, with both programs securing conference tournament titles and coveted NCAA Tournament appearances under the leadership of veteran coaches Stacie Terry-Hutson (SDSU) and Heidi VanDerveer (UCSD). Meanwhile, the University of San Diego (USD) faced a tougher road, finishing 7-23 and subsequently ushering in a new era with first-year head coach Blanche Alverson.
But here’s where it gets interesting: Alverson isn’t starting from scratch. She already shares deep connections with her counterparts across town—Terry-Hutson and VanDerveer—forging a unique dynamic among San Diego’s three Division I programs. And this is the part most people miss: Despite their recent successes, all three coaches are navigating significant roster overhauls as the 2025-26 season looms.
Alverson, who arrived at USD after six seasons as a top assistant at Georgia Tech, wasted no time reshaping the Toreros’ roster. She brought in five freshmen and two transfers, all expected to play pivotal roles. But here’s the controversy: Can a team with so many newcomers gel quickly enough to compete? Alverson acknowledges the challenge, stating, “It’s like we have 14 new players. Even the returners are adapting to our system.”
Meanwhile, SDSU and UCSD aren’t immune to turnover. The Aztecs graduated their entire frontcourt—Kim Villalobos, Adryana Quezada, and Cali Clark—and lost star point guard Veronica Sheffey to transfer (TCU). UCSD, despite returning three key players, saw Big West Tournament MVP Sumayah Sugapong (also their leader in scoring, assists, and steals) depart for Arizona. Is this the price of success—losing top talent to bigger programs?
Let’s break down each team’s outlook:
San Diego State Aztecs
- 2024-25 Record: 25-10 (Mountain West Champions)
- Key Returnees: Guards Naomi Panganiban (10.3 PPG) and Nat Martinez (7.4 PPG), plus forward Bailey Barnhard.
- Top Newcomers: Nala Williams (D-II National Player of the Year), transfers CJ Latta (Utah State) and Maria Konstaninidou (Fresno State).
- Outlook: Terry-Hutson vows to play faster, shifting from a post-heavy approach to a guard-centric offense. “Last season changed our standard,” she says, “but this year will be a process.”
- Season Opener: Nov. 3 vs. UCLA (Anaheim)
UC San Diego Tritons
- 2024-25 Record: 20-16 (Big West Champions)
- Key Returnees: Sabrina Ma (10.0 PPG), Gracie Gallegos (9.3 PPG), and center Erin Condron.
- Top Newcomers: Makayla Rose (Big West Defensive POTY) and Nevada transfer Dymonique Maxie.
- Outlook: Losing Sugapong and rebounding machine Kayanna Spriggs hurts, but VanDerveer has reloaded with four freshmen. Can they defend their title?
- Season Opener: Nov. 3 at Pacific
USD Toreros
- 2024-25 Record: 7-23
- Key Returnees: Forwards Malia Tharpe and Dresha Moore, plus injured duo Erica Carr and Eva Ruse.
- Top Newcomers: Transfers Kylie Ray (Utah) and Helen Holley (Michigan State), plus five freshmen.
- Outlook: Alverson touts speed and versatility but admits, “We lack size and experience.” At least three freshmen will log heavy minutes.
- Season Opener: Nov. 3 vs. Bethesda
Final Thought: With so much roster flux, which San Diego program is best positioned to thrive? Could USD’s rebuild surprise everyone? Drop your predictions in the comments—are these teams contenders or pretenders?
