September 2019, Sports

Senior standout is only bright light from CIAA pre-season predictions

RALEIGH, N.C. (Oct. 1) – Standout forward Kaaliya Williams (Redshirt Jr./Richmond, VA) of Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) was selected to the 2019 Preseason All-CIAA Women’s Basketball Team on Tuesday. The Men’s and Women’s Preseason Teams and The Predicted Order of Finish were announced during the CIAA Basketball Virtual Media Day at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Charlotte, N.C.

The CIAA Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors voted on the Men’s and Women’s Preseason Teams. The fact that Williams missed the entire 2018-19 season due to injury shows the respect her peers have for the SAU star. She gained a spot on the Preseason All-CIAA Team for the second consecutive year.

Two seasons ago as a sophomore, Williams averaged a team-high 15.5 points to garner All-CIAA honors. She ranked fifth nationally in Division II in free throw percentage (91.5).

As a freshman, Williams averaged 12.1 points to make the All-CIAA Rookie Team. Her rookie season was so impressive that she won the HERO Sports D2 Women’s Basketball National Newcomer of the Year Award.

Overall, however, Saint AUgustine’s did not fare well in preseason rankings. Below is the Preseason All-CIAA Men’s and Women’s Teams and Predicted Order of Finish.

Women’s Backcourt

Daisa Harris, Livingstone College +

Shareka McNeill, Virginia Union University +$

Kwanza Murray, Lincoln University +

Amaya Tucker, Winston-Salem State University +

Asia Deal, Elizabeth City State University

Women’s Frontcourt

Naterria Luster, Elizabeth City State University +

Kyaja Williams, Bowie State University +

Alisia Machado, Lincoln University

Jasmine Carter, Virginia Union University

Iffy Okoye, Virginia Union University

Dynaisha Christian, Bowie State University

Kaaliya Williams, Saint Augustine’s University

+ – Returning 2018-19 All-CIAA selection

$ – 2018-19 CIAA Player of the Year

CIAA Women’s Basketball Predicted Order of Finish

1.         Virginia Union

2.         Fayetteville State

3.         Bowie State

4.         Johnson C. Smith

5.         Lincoln (PA)

6.         Elizabeth City State

7.         Winston-Salem State

8.         Livingstone

9.         Virginia State

10.       Claflin

11.       Shaw

12.       Saint Augustine’s

Northern Division

1.         Virginia Union

2.         Bowie State

3.         Lincoln (PA)

4.         Elizabeth City State

5.         Virginia State

Southern Division

1.         Fayetteville State

2.         Johnson C. Smith

3.         Winston-Salem State

4.         Livingstone

5.         Claflin

6.         Shaw

7.         Saint Augustine’s

Men’s All-CIAA Backcourt

Roger Ray, Livingstone College +

Cameron Campbell, Lincoln University (PA) +

Robert Colon, Winston-Salem State University +

Terrell Leach, Virginia Union

Walter Williams, Virginia State

Men’s All-CIAA Frontcourt

Lydell Elmore, Livingstone College +

Saiquan Jamison, Bowie State University +

Deaquan Williams, Lincoln University (PA) +

Tyjhai Byers, Elizabeth City State

Andrew Corum, Virginia State

Cayse Minor, Johnson C. Smith

Alex Owens, Shaw

+ – Returning 2018-19 All-CIAA selection

CIAA Men’s Basketball Predicted Order of Finish

1.         Bowie State

2.         Virginia State

3.         Livingstone

4.         Virginia Union

5.         Claflin

6.         Elizabeth City State

7.         Shaw

8.         Winston-Salem State

9.         Fayetteville State

10.       Lincoln

11.       Johnson C. Smith

12.       Saint Augustine’s

Northern Division

1.         Bowie State

2.         Virginia State

3.         Virginia Union

4.         Elizabeth City State

5.         Lincoln (PA)

Southern Division

1.         Livingstone

2.         Claflin

3.         Shaw

4.         Winston-Salem State

5.         Fayetteville State

6.         Johnson C. Smith

7.         Saint Augustine’s

— Office of Sports Information