RICHMOND, VA — The Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) announced its women's basketball preseason awards Thursday with the Hawks voted as the CAA Preseason favorite, alongside CAA Preseason Player of the Year Gigi Gamble. Gamble, and fellow incumbent, graduate student Divine Dibula were both named to the Preseason CAA First Team.
 
The Hawks were voted Preseason No. 1, garnering 12 of 13 first place votes. Since joining the conference in 2022, it is the first time Monmouth landed on top of the preseason rankings. Gamble also becomes the program's first Preseason Player of the Year pick with the program earning two first team preseason selections for the first time in the CAA.  
 
Led by third-year head coach Cait Wetmore, Monmouth is looking to push even further into the postseason and improve on their historic markers. Last season, Wetmore guided the team to only their second 20-win season in 15 years, which was highlighted by an eight-game win-streak headed into CAA play.
 
"Being selected Preseason No. 1 is a nod to our retention and our exciting newcomers," Wetmore said. "Outside of that it doesn't carry much weight. Our focus has been and will continue to be in our pursuit of progress each day. This team understands that regardless of a preseason ranking, our work ethic must be rooted in showing up day in and day out in all the small ways that align with our goals this season."
 
The Hawks finished 12-6 in conference before heading into the postseason as the fifth seed last season. Monmouth took a postseason 72-61 win over No. 13 UNCW before falling to No. 4 Stony Brook in the second round. Now, the Hawks perch above all of their opponents headed into the year and have two of the best players in the conference to do so.
 
Gamble joined the Hawks' program ahead of the 2025-26 season after playing previously at CCBC Essex and Kean University where she earned countless accolades, such as All-NJAC First Team and NJAC Rookie of the year at Kean and NJCAA Division II Women's Basketball Player of the Year and NJCAA Division II All-America First Team at Essex.
 
Under the tutelage of Wetmore, Gamble expanded her game in her first year at Monmouth as she led the team in scoring (15.2 ppg) and finished with 10 or more points 21 times, and 20 or more points nine times in her 28 starts across 31 games. Gamble also tallied three 30-point games, which was the most for the CAA. The senior guard earned a season high 41 points against Towson, which was an OceanFirst Bank Center building record and ranks as the second-highest single-game output by a Monmouth women's basketball player, just one point behind Sandra Cook's performance against Wagner in 1988.
 
"It has been a real joy to watch and support Gigi's growth," Wetmore said. "Her commitment to this program and the drive to continue to improve have really shone over the last year. She has worked extremely hard to expand her game while also challenging herself to keep learning the game. Her passion, enthusiasm and desire to be challenged are the reasons she has elevated as a player so quickly here. Preseason Player of the Year is a recognition of that approach and growth. We are very proud of Gigi and excited for the season ahead of us."
 
Dibula has also developed as one of the best players in the CAA throughout the past two years with the Hawks, having her best season to date last year. Coming off of a breakout second season, the graduate forward averaged 13.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game in 33 contests with 30 starts.
 
Her contributions earned her a second team All-CAA selection, as she finished 2026 in double figures 25 times, the most on the team, and led the squad in rebounds (227) and blocks (35). The Canadian's career high came against Cleveland State in the second round of the WNIT, as she tallied 26 points and 11 rebounds, leading both teams in the latter category.
 
"Divine has elevated her game each year and continues to add to her skillset," Wetmore said. "What has been really special to watch is the way she has transformed into a tremendous leader for our program. She relentlessly upholds the standards and demands the very best from herself and others every time she steps on the floor. This mindset is a big part of why her game has and will continue to progress."
 
Monmouth starts the 2026-27 season with an exhibition match against Rider University on Oct 21 before playing Binghamton University on Nov 2. Conference play begins on Jan. 1 when the Hawks travel to North Carolina to face UNCW. 

To read the official CAA press release, click here.

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