SAN DIEGO - A talented group already a part of program history, veterans Kendall Bird, Jordyn Edwards, Sydney Hunter and Myah Pace will return for their fifth season in 2021-22, head coach Cindy Fisher announced on Wednesday.
 
The four players will utilize their last year of eligibility at San Diego, after the NCAA announced in October all fall and winter sport athletes would receive an extra year.
 
"The return of this senior class is truly a blessing," said Fisher. "To have the opportunity to coach these players for another year and have them impact the success and culture of our program is priceless."
 
"They are a very special group of seniors that have a lot of unfinished business. I am excited for them to get back out on the floor and reach the goals that they have set for this group."
 
Bird, Edwards, Hunter and Pace have created one of the most dominant senior classes in recent history for the Toreros having led USD to the WCC title game twice in the past four seasons.
 
"I am excited to have the opportunity to compete for a championship with my team one more time," said Pace. "We have faced so much adversity and still managed to grow as people and basketball players as well as a team. We have so much fun together, and I am grateful for one more ride with the best team ever."
 
Pace has solidified herself as one of the most decorated defenders in San Diego history as the current all-time single steals record holder. The Oakland, Calif. native currently ranks fifth all-time in career steals and second in steals per game. A two-time, All-WCC honoree, Pace led the team last season in scoring averaging 11.8 points per game and recorded nine double-digit performances.
 
San Diego will continue to have strong depth on the floor defensively with Edwards' return as the guard emerged as a key two-way threat during the 2020-21 season. Edwards led the nationally ranked defense with 55 steals on the year and eight blocks. The All-WCC first team selection averaged 3.24 takeaways per game, placing her sixth nationally among NCAA Division I.
 
On the offensive side of the floor, she has been a key piece for the Toreros racking up a team-leading 66 assists in 2020-21. Edwards put together 10 double-digit performances and ranked second on the team in scoring averaging 10.4 points per game. She currently ranks fourth all-time in free throw percentage (82.0) and fifth in assist/turnover ratio (1.30).
 
"I couldn't be more excited to have another year at USD. Ever since high school, this has always been my dream school so I feel so incredibly lucky to be able to spend four years here," said Edwards. "I love playing with Syd, Kendall and Myah, and we have so much good chemistry on and off the court that I'm excited for people to see that again this year."
 
Rounding out the group of returning guards is Keizer, Ore. native Hunter. The 2020-21 season marked arguably her best season to date as the three-year starter set a new career high against Pacific with 24 points. Hunter became one of San Diego's most dominant threats off the glass, averaging a team leading 6.3 rebounds per game.
 
Hunter led the team in free-throw percentage (72.4), field goal percentage (49.3) and total rebounds (120) in 2020-21. She also recorded a team-leading two double-doubles on the year and tallied seven double-digit performances. The All-WCC honorable mention selection also was key on the defensive side of the floor with 34 steals on the year.
 
"This year is going to be so special to me because this team and I have a lot of unfinished business," said Hunter. "I am so excited to be able to have this extra year to finally check off the rest of the goals my class set freshman year."
 
Along with the three guards, forward Bird will return for her fifth year of eligibility after a dynamic season with the Toreros. Bird was a key starter for San Diego, racking up 382 minutes on the year over 18 games. Her presence in the paint was vital for the defense as Bird led the team with nine blocks and recorded double-digit takeaways with 16.
 
On the offensive end of the floor, the Buckley, Wash. native tallied four double-digit performances and notched a new career high 16 points against San Diego Christian in December. Bird averaged 7.3 points to rank fourth on the team and shot 52 percent from the line.
 
"I am beyond excited to get the chance to play with Sydney, Myah, Jordyn and the rest of the team for another year," said Bird. "We have some unfinished business to attend to and I can't wait!"
 
The return of Bird, Hunter, Edwards and Pace means all five starters will return to the floor for San Diego in 2021-22, along with nine additional letter winners.