CONWAY, S.C. – The Coastal Carolina women's basketball team has received national attention in two of the past three seasons with each team each offering its mark in the CCU women's basketball record book. The 2019-20 and 2021-22 seasons are worlds apart in dynamics but are closer than appears on paper.
 
In 2019-20, the Chants began the season with a 7-1 record just missing the best start in program history with a loss to the Richmond Spiders in the Coastal Carolina Thanksgiving Classic and finished non-conference play with an 11-1 record. The 2021-22 team has been perfect through the first eight games (8-0) of the season surpassing the best start in program history of 7-0 in 2007-08.
 
"The first time was incredible, it felt like, YES! We have finally done it. We have built a nationally recognizable team," said head coach Jaida Williams. "This season, being recognized nationally is great. However, we are more focused on the game in front of us. Last season, we won one DI game and barely beat the non-DIs. While national recognition is amazing for our student-athletes and University, we only care about focusing on each game as we play it. Grateful, but focused."
 
The similarities do not end there, the 2019-20 squad earned the program's first-ever ranking by entering The College Insider Mid-Major Women's Basketball poll at No. 24 just before Sun Belt Conference action began. Although not ranked, the 2021-22 team has caught the eyes of the coaches nationwide and is now receiving votes in both the USA Today's Women's Basketball Coaches poll and The College Insider Mid-Major poll.
 
Gone from the 2019-20 team are all but senior Aja Blount and super senior Janae Camp. The two returning members played a vital part that season. Blount finished second on the team in the 25-4 year averaging 14.7 points per game, while Camp scored 4.3 points per game and grabbed 6.3 rebounds per game. Blount has transitioned into the team leader on the 2021-22 team and leads the Chants scoring with 16.9 points per game. Camp, though not a scoring powerhouse, is averaging 20.0 minutes per game while shooting 45 percent from the field and is second on the team with 46 rebounds for this year.
 
Coastal Carolina returns to action after the break for final exams on Wednesday, Dec. 15, as the Chanticleers will host St. Mary's College of California at the HTC Center on the campus of Coastal Carolina University. The tip-off is scheduled for 11 a.m. ET.
 
For complete coverage of CCU women's basketball, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalWBB (Twitter), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), @GoCCUSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at www.GoCCUsports.com.