Thursday, October 1, 2026
After a strong season that saw the Hofstra women’s basketball team win 20 games, advance to the conference championship game for the first time in program history, and earn a WNIT berth, expectations are high for the Pride in 2015-16.
With much of its nucleus back in the fold, Hofstra has been picked third in the Colonial Athletic Association preseason poll.
Defending conference champion James Madison was selected first and Drexel was picked second in a vote of the league’s head coaches. If early season results are a harbinger, the Pride could be in for a strong campaign. With wins in its first four games, Hofstra is off to its best start in nearly 20 years.
Krista Kilburn-Steveskey in her 10th year as Hofstra’s head coach, likes the makeup of her team. “We have great chemistry, and we understand one another’s tendencies,” Kilburn-Steveskey said. “We’re deeper than we’ve been in the past, especially at guard. Right now, we have a lot of work to do in learning the system, and we have to continue to learn more about who we are as a team.”
Hofstra’s talent at guard is off the charts. Senior Darius Faulk, a Hempstead native, has looked outstanding in practice and in the early going of the season. Faulk, who was second in the CAA with 5.3 assists per game last season, is averaging eight points per game and is continuing to raise the level of her game.
Junior Krystal Luciano runs the point for the Pride. A commitment to fitness has made her stronger and more durable. Luciano has emerged as an extension of Kilburn-Steveskey on the floor. Her 20 points in the team’s 67-53 victory over Fairfield was a career high.
Kelly Loftus, a 5-foot-10 junior guard, is the team’s X factor. She’s capable of getting hot from anywhere on the court. Loftus’s sharpshooting from the field forces opponents to extend the defense, and opens things up for Hofstra’s frontcourt players. She’s off to a terrific start, averaging 15 points per contest.
When Kilburn-Steveskey needs guards off the bench, there’s very little drop off when she calls upon seniors Asia Jackson and Jakelle King-Gilchrist. Sophomore Aleana Leon provides additional depth at guard.
“Having so much talent and versatility in the backcourt is a big plus for us,” Kilburn-Steveskey said. “On any given night, any one of them can contribute. We’re able to show multiple looks, and a lot of different combinations.”
If there’s a go-to player it’s sophomore forward Ashunae Durant, the conference’s reigning Rookie of the Year. Durant averaged 12.7 points per game in CAA contests. She has a terrific mid-range game, goes to the basket well, and lives on the free-throw line.
Durant, who plays bigger than her 5-10 frame, is averaging 13.8 points and 12 rebounds through the first four games. Her terrific freshman season resonated with coaches throughout the conference, as she earned a spot on the preseason All-CAA First Team.
Anjie White is one of the more underrated players in the conference. The 6-2 junior has a soft touch from the perimeter and takes it to the rack well. Getting in foul trouble has been a problem from time to time, but when White is on the floor she’s a big factor. Senior Sydni Epps and 6-4 junior Sandra Dongmo provide depth in the front court.
Kilburn-Steveskey is high on this team and its potential. The CAA opener is Jan. 3 at home versus Delaware at 2 p.m.
“The conference is really tough, but we have a great mix of seniors and underclassmen,” Kilburn-Steveskey said. “The expectations for this bunch are high. The keys are keeping focused, being consistent, and staying poised during rough times. Most of all, as a staff we want the team to enjoy the journey and have fun with it. Having had the experience of coming so close to winning the conference tournament made the team hungrier in the off-season. We want them to have fun with it.”
