TOLEDO, Ohio - Senior Mariella Santucci, along with juniors Nakiah Black and Tanaya Beacham, have been named captains for the Rockets' 2019-20 season, 12th-year Head Coach Tricia Cullop announced on Friday. The trio was selected based on votes by their teammates.

Black was selected as a captain for the second time, while Santucci and Beacham are first-time recipients.

"These three players have shown great leadership throughout their respective collegiate careers," Cullop said. "They are all vocal, they work hard and they are very talented. One of the great things about having three captains who are on the court for the majority of games is that they can be an extension of the coaching staff. I'm so thrilled for these three players for a lot of different reasons, and I can't wait to see their continued leadership on and off the court."

Black contributed 10.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals in 29.1 minutes per contest a season ago. She started the final 24 games and ranked ninth in the Mid-American Conference in three-point field-goal percentage (.358, 54-of-151) and tied for 17th in three-point field-goals made (1.7). The Concord, N.C. native scored in double figures 18 times in her first year wearing the Midnight Blue & Gold and led the squad in steals on 11 occasions, scoring five times, blocked shots on four occasions and rebounding and assists twice.

"I'm grateful to be named a captain again," said Black. "I plan on continuing to set a great example for my teammates and help lead us to a successful season."

Santucci, a 5-foot-6 guard averaged 9.2 points, a team-high 5.1 assists, 3.8 rebounds and a squad-best 1.3 steals in 32.1 minutes per contest last season. The three-year letterwinner started 33 games and finished tied for third in the league in helpers, tied for 10th in assist/turnover ratio (1.4, 163-113), tied for 15th in free throw percentage (.730, 73-of-100), 20th in minutes played and tied for 23rd in thefts.

Santucci, who has appeared in the "Starting Five" in 86 of 99 games as a member of the Rockets, enters the 2019-20 campaign ranked seventh in school history in career assists (454). The Bologna, Italy native has also scored in double figures on 35 occasions and dished out at least seven assists 16 times over the last three years. She also needs only 236 points to become the 30th player in program history to surpass the 1,000-career point barrier. 

"I'm so happy to be a captain of such an amazing team," Santucci said. "Everything I do is about this team and how I can help everyone achieve our goals."

Beacham, a 6-foot-1 post player, netted 3.9 points and 3.0 rebounds in 11.3 minutes per contest in 2018-19. She shot a respectable 47.3 percent (53-of-112) from the floor, the second-highest total on the team. The Youngstown native also finished fourth on the squad in free throw percentage (.629, 22-of-35) and offensive caroms (33) and fifth in free throws made (22).  

"I'm honored to be a captain this season of a very respectable program," said Beacham, who averaged a team-high 16.3 points in three exhibition games during this summer's trip to Italy. "I've had the chance to play with some great leaders in the past, and now I get to carry on the tradition. I hope to make this season as successful as possible and make it one to remember."

Toledo closes out its exhibition season tomorrow against NCAA Division II member Findlay at Noon in Savage Arena. The Rockets commence their regular season three days later, Nov. 5, at Georgia State at 6:00 p.m. 

For season-ticket information, please stop by the Toledo Athletic Ticket Office in the Sullivan Athletic Complex at Savage Arena, go online at UTRockets.com or call (419) 530-GOLD (4653).