TOLEDO, Ohio - Toledo has restocked its roster and will look to secure another Mid-American Conference championship in 2019-20.

"Post-season play is our expectation every year," said Head Coach Tricia Cullop, who last season became the winningest coach in program history. "I'm proud of the fact that we've held our own against some of the toughest leagues in the country. It was a highlight to advance to the 2017 NCAA Championship, and our goal is to get back."

Toledo's roster in 2019-20 will consist of three seniors, five juniors, two sophomores and five freshmen. 

"We have talented players returning and a great group of new players joining us," said Cullop, who currently sits sixth in MAC history in overall winning percentage (.662, 241-123). "I want us to be coachable and get a little better each day."

A season ago, Toledo posted a 21-12 overall record and an 11-7 ledger in the Mid-American Conference.

The Rockets, who finished second in the MAC West Division standings, also made their 12th overall appearance in the 2019 Postseason WNIT and seventh in 11 years under Coach Cullop. 

"We will be very versatile," said Cullop, whose team has advanced to the second round of the Postseason WNIT in each of their last seven appearances. "Every player will be capable of hitting a three-point shot, even our low-block posts. I'd like to see our three-point field-goal percentage and number of threes per game improve. We will also be young in some positions, but I do think that as the season progresses experience will be a great teacher."

Cullop hopes the team's versatility can help spread the floor and increase their pace of play. 

"We will be able to open up the paint more with our shooting ability," said Cullop, whose Rockets' squad has won at least 20 games on six occasions. "That should enable us to drive more and kick for open shots. We can also increase our tempo with all of our versatility."

The following is a closer look at the 2019-20 Toledo women's basketball team by position:

BACKCOURT
As one of two seniors on the roster, Mariella Santucci (Bologna, Italy) is unquestionably one of the leaders of this year's team. Comfortable at either point guard or shooting guard, the two-time Academic All-MAC honoree is back for what figures to be an outstanding final performance.

The 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. A 2019-20 team captain, Santucci 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) and 20th in minutes played.

"Mariella is a veteran who shared point-guard responsibilities with Mikaela (Boyd) the past three seasons," Cullop said. "She's a great scoring threat and sees the court extremely well."

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. 

Beside Santucci in the backcourt will be junior Nakiah Black (Concord, N.C.), who enjoyed an outstanding sophomore campaign. The 2019-20 Preseason All-MAC West Division Team honoree contributed 10.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals in 29.1 minutes per contest. The 5-foot-10 guard started the final 24 games and ranked ninth in the MAC in three-point field-goal percentage (.358, 54-of-151) and tied for 17th in three-point field-goals made (1.7). The two-time team captain 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.

"Nakiah brought experience and a relentless mentality to the court," Cullop said. "She can get on a roll behind the three-point line as well as attack the rim. She's also a skilled defender. It isn't easy to be elected a captain your first year, but she made her presence felt the moment she stepped onto our campus."

Another key contributor for Toledo in the backcourt in 2019-20 will be senior Sara Rokkanen (Helsinki, Finland). A 5-foot-10 wing, Rokkanen possesses a quick release and great shooting range.  

She started 11 of 33 games in 2018-19, contributing 6.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 24.1 minutes. The fourth-year Rocket scored in double figures on eight occasions and ranked fourth in the MAC in three-point field-goal percentage (.388, 54-of-139) and tied for 21st in three-point field-goals made (1.6).

"Sara played the 2 through 4 positions last season," Cullop said. "She was our most consistent three-point threat, and I loved the ability to move her around the court to other positions."

Junior Tatyana Davis (Maidson, Ga.)  also is expected to be a part of Rockets' regular rotation at shooting guard or on the wing. 

A 5-foot-9 guard and an explosive driver, Davis appeared in 32 games off the bench in 2018-19 and earned the team's "Most Improved Player Award." She averaged 2.9 points and 1.3 rebounds in 11.3 minutes per contest. She finished fourth on the squad in three-point field-goals made (13) and three-point field-goal percentage (.260, 13-of-50). 

"Tatyana has worked to improve her three-point shot, but has always had the ability to knock down a pull-up jumper and drive to the rim," Cullop said. "She's one of the quickest players on our team and is tough to catch in transition."

Adding to the Rockets' backcourt depth will be junior Mariah Copeland (Toledo, Ohio), along with newcomers Soleil Barnes (Southfield, Mich.), Yaniah Curry (Cottleville, Mo.), Quinesha Lockett (Omaha, Neb.) and Sophia Wiard (Muskegon, Mich.).

An excellent long-range shooter and decision maker, Copeland saw action in 16 games last season and averaged 1.6 points in 5.0 minutes. A 5-foot-9 guard, the local product finished tied for fifth on the team in three-point field-goals made (7).

"Mariah is an exceptional three-point shooter," Cullop said. "She has the best range of anyone I've had the opportunity to coach."

A 5-foot-8 guard, Barnes averaged 14 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals per game to earn Associated Press honorable mention all-state honors last year at Southfield High School for Arts & Technology. A versatile guard, Barnes helped lead the Warriors to a 24-2 overall ledger, reaching the Division I state finals.

"Soleil is a combo guard who will stretch defenses with her uncanny shooting ability," Cullop said. "She has strong handles and passes the ball well, but what we need most from her is her shooting ability. I love her deep range and quick release."

A 5-foot-9 wing, Curry tallied a team-high 12.7 points, a squad-best 6.2 rebounds and 2.3 thefts per game as a senior at Francis Howell Central High School. She shot 43.9 percent (136-of-310) from the floor and was named Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Class 5 All-State. Curry, who will miss the beginning of the season while recovering from an Achilles injury, scored in double figures on 20 occasions in her final prep campaign, including a season-high 22 points vs. Troy Buchanan.

"I love Yaniah's motor," Cullop said. "She really gives everything she's got when she's on the court. Yaniah is also a tenacious defender and rebounder. She can handle the ball well and is very skilled offensively."

A 5-foot-9 wing, Lockett averaged 16.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per contest as a senior at Omaha Benson High School. She shot 46.7 percent (144-of-308) from the field and 71.0 percent (71-of-100) from the free throw line.

"Quinesha is a wing who has impressive athleticism," Cullop said. "She can defend multiple positions, rebound out of her area and block shots. We love her speed and quickness."

 A 5-foot-9 guard, Wiard tallied 25.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 3.8 steals per game to garner Associated Press Division 2 first-team all-state accolades last year at Muskegon Oakridge High School. She shot 55 percent from the floor, including 43 percent from three-point land, and 78 percent from the charity stripe. Wiard played a huge role in guiding the Eagles to a 21-4 overall mark in her final prep season, including a 16-1 conference record. She graduated as her high school's all-time leader in points (1,889) and assists (450). 

"Sophia is a point guard who has outstanding ball-handling skills, vision and the ability to score the ball in a variety of ways," Cullop said. "She's a fierce competitor who possesses a relentless work ethic and high basketball IQ. Sophia's a leader and a winner."

Sophomore Jaela Johnson (Louisville, Ky.) will miss the 2019-20 campaign after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee during individual workouts this summer. A 5-foot-5 combo guard, Johnson will be sorely missed, as she tallied 1.1 points in 4.9 minutes in 21 contests in 2018-19.
 
"We're sad to lose Jaela for the season, but the silver lining is she can get that year back by redshirting and have all year to fully recover," Cullop said. "Jaela can really push our tempo and create opportunities for herself and others."

FRONTCOURT
Toledo will need to replace two-time All-MAC performer Kaayla McIntyre's team-high 16.2 points, squad-best 8.1 rebounds and team-high 1.5 blocks per game. One of last year's top reserves, junior Tanaya Beacham (Youngstown, Ohio) will need to step up. The 6-foot-1 post player netted 3.9 points and 3.0 rebounds in 11.3 minutes per contest last season. She shot a respectable 47.3 percent (53-of-112) from the floor, the second-highest total on the team. The 2019-20 team captain 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).  

"Tanaya is a great rebounder, as well as a player who runs the floor extremely well and can score in a variety of ways," Cullop said. "She also possesses a strong work ethic and wants to help our team in any way she can."   

Other returnees the Rockets hope will bolster the frontcourt in 2019-20 will be junior Tyra Carlsten-Handberg  (Stockholm Sweden) and sophomore Lexi Lance (Wadsworth, Ohio).

Carlsten-Handberg, a 6-foot-4 center, has solid three-point range and can use her length to disrupt shots. The 2018-19 Academic All-MAC selection averaged 1.5 points and 1.2 rebounds in 5.4 minutes in 23 games last season. Carlsten-Handberg also possesses four years of experience playing for the Swedish National Team, most recently as a part of the U-20 team.

"Tyra can face up or play with her back to the basket," Cullop said. "She's very skilled and strong. Tyra can also pass and score in a variety of ways."

A stretch-four forward who can score on the inside or on the perimeter, Lance appeared in seven games off bench in 2018-19 and averaged 0.7 points and 0.7 rebounds in 2.6 minutes.

"We're very excited about Lexi's potential," Cullop said. "She's quick running the floor and has great range for a post player. As she develops, Lexi can be a strong force at the four position."

Challenging Beacham, Carlsten-Handberg and Lance for playing time in the frontcourt will be graduate transfer Arianne Whitaker (Cincinnati, Ohio). 

A 6-foot-2 forward/center, Whitaker played the last two seasons at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga after playing at Winthrop University as a freshman in 2015-16, and will be eligible to compete immediately for the Rockets. Whitaker, who chose Toledo over Xavier, Miami, Texas Tech and Florida, graduated from Chattanooga with a degree in psychology and will work on a master's degree in either recreation & leisure or health administration.

Whitaker averaged 6.8 points, a team-high 5.3 rebounds and a squad-best 2.3 blocks in 18.5 minutes per game for the Mocs last season. A member of the Southern Conference All-Defensive Team in 2018-19, she led the league in rejections, as well as ranking ninth in overall rebounding, tied for 10th in offensive caroms (1.7 rpg) and defensive boards (3.6 rpg). Whitaker shot 46.6 percent (75-of-161) from the field and a collegiate-best 73.2 percent (41-of-56) from the free throw line. She scored in double figures on eight occasions during the year, including a season-high 13 three times.  

In her two seasons at Chattanooga, Whitaker ranks third in school history in career blocked shots (109).

"Arianne takes great pride in her defense," Cullop said. "In addition to being a gifted shot blocker and rebounder, she is not afraid to take charges or dive for loose balls. Arianne also has good range facing the basket, runs the floor well, and can score with her back to the basket."

Providing additional depth in the frontcourt will be newcomer Mali Morgan-Elliott (Dayton, Ohio).

A 5-foot-11 forward who possesses a quick release and is a gifted passer, Morgan-Elliott averaged 9.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game as a senior at Fairmont High School. She started all 25 contests and earned second-team all-conference and honorable mention all-district accolades during her final prep season. Morgan-Elliott shot 47.8 percent (98-of-205) from the floor and 64.3 percent (36-of-56) from the charity stripe. She also scored in double figures on 10 occasions, including a season-high 21 points vs. Loudonville.

"Mali is a versatile stretch four," Cullop said. "She has impressive range, a quick release and can really pass the ball. She's also a strong rebounder who runs the floor well, can handle the ball and drives hard to the basket."