SANTA ANA, Calif. - The Santa Ana Women's Basketball team will head North to begin the 2022-23 season as they take on three teams from the Western States-North Conference in Cuesta, Santa Barbara and Oxnard from Thursday to Saturday.

SAC is looking to bounce back from a tough, injury riddled season where they finished 7-20 overall and 0-12 in the Orange Empire Conference schedule.

Fortunately, the Dons will have some of their best pieces back with four sophomores on their roster. 

Dylyn Payne and Sophia Escalante will look to take their games to another level after both averaged double-digits last season. 

Payne put up 14 ppg, 4.6 rpg and 2.3 apg during her freshman season. The guard from Los Alamitos played in just 16 games overall and just one in OEC action last season. 

Escalante was consistent all year, posting a line of 11.7 ppg, 5 rpg and 2.7 apg to earn a spot on the All-OEC Women's Basketball Second Team. 

The Dons will also return a couple more contributors in Le'Lani Bell (3ppg/2.9rpg/1.1apg) and Crystal Moreno (4.8ppg/5.9rpg). In addition, Chelsea Caldera (5.6ppg/6rpg/2.3apg) is back as a redshirt freshman after playing in just 8 games last season. 

Santa Ana has also brought in some talented freshmen who they expect to contribute right away. 

Brianna Urena enters her freshman year after averaging 12 points and 3.4 assists at Segerstrom High. Selena Hernandez will look to make an impact in year one following a big season at El Dorado High where she posted 16ppg and 12.2 rpg. 

With their mix of experienced sophomores and talented freshmen, the Dons will try to make some noise this season. 

Follow the Dons throughout the season at @sacdonswbb on Instagram.