Quote:
The Cal women's basketball team is coming off its best season of the Charmin Smith era, but it doesn't have the preseason expectations to match from outside the program, at least.
The Bears made the postseason for the first time since 2019, eliminated in the second round of the WNIT, and ended up 19-15 overall only to be picked to finish 14th in the ACC in their debut in the conference.
Those in Berkeley believe that discredits the Bears' growth and the adjustments made through the transfer portal by Smith, who opens her sixth season as head coach on Monday against St. Mary's.
"Our expectations are higher than they were before last year," said senior Marta Suarez. "We had a good year, but it wasn't enough. We're very hungry, and we want to be in the NCAA Tournament."
Here's a gift link to the entire piece: Cal Women Face Uphill Climb in ACC
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