LEWISTON, Maine -- Two years ago, Bates women's basketball guard Meghan Graff led the NESCAC in scoring with 18.2 points per game and was named the Female Athlete of the Year by the Department of Athletics. This year, the Bobcats hope she doesn't have to carry so much of the offense, with the team boasting the most depth they've had in head coach Alison Montgomery's seven years.

The Bobcats tip off the season against UMaine-Farmington Tuesday night at 7pm in Alumni Gym.

"I think Meg would be at the top of the list in excitement for sharing that load and having a more balanced squad," Montgomery said of Graff. "She is such a competitor and she's going to continue to make her mark on the court and in conference play. But I think she is super excited to share that with a dynamic and well-balanced team." 

Graff (South Portland, Maine) took a leave of absence last year during the height of the COVD-19 pandemic. She is a co-captain this season with senior forward Taylor McVeigh (Hanson, Mass.), who also took a leave of absence last year in order to compete this season. McVeigh averaged 5.7 rebounds per game two years ago and is a strong defensive presence in the post for the Bobcats. Without Graff and McVeigh, Bobcats got two games in near the end of March, splitting a pair of contests against rival Colby.

Seniors Ariana Dalia (Brick, N.J.), Mia Roy (Bedford, N.H.) and Amaari Williams (Brooklyn, N.Y.) will play big roles for Bates this season. Dalia (9.9 ppg) and Roy (9 ppg) were the team's second and third leading scorers respectively two years ago, while Williams is fully healthy after dealing with an injury her sophomore year. Dalia's 6.5 rebounds per game led the team in 2019-20.

"Ari is a nightmare to guard and her motor is just wild," Montgomery said. "That woman could play for days and seemingly never be tired. She's a relentless rebounder and she has continued to develop as a force offensively, in addition to what she brings defensively." 

Dalia and McVeigh are joined in the post by juniors Jenna Berens (Durham, Conn.) and Brianna Gadaleta (Chappaqua, N.Y.), both of whom impressed as first-years. Berens led the team with 28 blocked shots. Sophomore forward Delaney Nwachukwu (Avon, Conn.) had a promising debut in two games last year. 

"In the past, we've been pretty guard-heavy and relied on our guards to put the ball in the bucket," Montgomery said. "I think this year we're going to just have lots of different options, which is obviously better for us, and more challenging for the squads trying to defend and beat us." 

Graff, Roy and Williams are joined in the backcourt by junior Kayla Bridgeman (Brooklyn, N.Y.), sophomore Davina Kabantu (Portland, Maine), and sophomore twin sisters Alyson Kennedy and Morgan Kennedy (Oklahoma City, Okla.).

Morgan Kennedy made a splash in two games against Colby last March, scoring a team-high 21 points in her collegiate debut and 14 points the next day in a Bobcat victory. 

"We have really high expectations and everyone on our squad has the confidence and the mentality of taking this year on with no limitations," Montgomery said. "The depth, ability, and the preparations that we've taken have given us the confidence to feel like we would love to make our mark this year and be a real contender in the conference."