In her first year as Virginia Wesleyan’s women’s basketball coach, Megan Belo helped the Marlins become more competitive last season. Now the newlywed hopes that can translate into more success.

“I’ve been really encouraged, really excited for the pieces we brought in,” said Belo, who’s guiding a roster of seven returnees and seven newcomers. “Every single returner came back better. Being in a good starting spot, how we’re so young, that’s going to play to our advantage now and in the years to come, hopefully.”

Coming off a 1-15 Old Dominion Athletic Conference season, VWU lost six league games by single digits. If the Marlins can improve offensively — they only scored 70 points once last season — they could turn that around. A lot of early home games should help.

“The ODAC is extremely

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