HELENA, Mont. – The 21st-ranked Carroll College women's basketball team takes on a pair of tough teams, including the top squad in NAIA DII at the Hoop N' Surf NAIA Challenge in Waikiki, Hawaii.
 
The Saints open the week Tuesday against Menlo College (Calif.) (9-1) before playing St. Xavier (Ill.) (10-0) Wednesday.
 
Carroll opens the weekend with a 6-3 record, including a 1-1 mark in Frontier play. Hannah Dean leads the Saints in points (12.9 PPG), Rebounds (8.56 RPG), assists (2.6 APG), steals (1.56 SPG), and blocks (2.1 PBG).
 
Carroll's only losses came against ranked teams and NCAA DIII No. 7 Whitman.
 
Menlo began the season 9-0 before dropping the last game to NCAA DII Holy Names 74-70. Destinee Bowie leads the Oaks with 18.2 PPG and 8.3 RPG. Two other players average double figures. They are the top field goal percentage in NAIA DI at 50.1 percent.
 
St. Xavier is undefeated and has risen to the top of the NAIA DII with the reigning NAIA DII Player of the Year in Kara Krolicki. She leads the Cougars with 21 PPG.
 
"We are so thankful for this tremendous opportunity," head coach Rachelle Sayers said. "This is a once in a lifetime experience for these kids. We are playing two tough teams. We are going to have to put an entire game together both days to come out on top. Menlo and Saint Xavier are two totally different opponents. Menlo has two posts that are as big and good as we have seen all year. They play really hard, and we will have to be on high alert and bust our tails to transition defense with them. Saint Xavier is ranked No. 1 in NAIA DIV II and has the returning player of the year in the NAIA DII on their team. These games are great preparation for the upcoming conference season."
 
Tuesday's game is scheduled for 3 p.m. MST, and Wednesday's game is slated for 2 p.m. MST.
 
Live updates will be available via the Carroll Athletics twitter account. Live video will be available via Facebook Live on the Carroll Athletics page.