Nov. 13, 2001
TODAY'S GAMEOld Dominion Lady Monarchs vs.MI ExpressTuesday, November 13, 2001Old Dominion Field House, Norfolk, VA
POSSIBLE STARTING LINE-UPS:
Old Dominion:Name: Pos:Cl:Ht:PPG:RPG:Okeisha Howard GJr.5-514.23.3Sharron Francis GSr.5-89.54.3Tiffany ThompsonCSr.6-36.35.3Lucienne Berthieu *FSr.6-217.88.9Hamchetou Maiga FSr.6-113.73.3
(Stats reflect end of 2001 season * Denotes 1999-2000)
A BACKGROUND ON THE OPPONENT: MI Express played fellow CAA member Delaware on Sunday night dropping a 98-45 decision. MI Express led by Rea Anna Mulholland with 12 points, eight coming from the free throw line. Shonda DeBerry was the only other player in double figures with 10. For the Fighting Blue Hens, four player scored in double digits led by Allison Trapp with 17. Fellow guard Megan Dellegrotti added 15.
FAMILIAR FACES: M.I. Express boasts four former Lady Monarchs: Pam Huntley (1990-93), Shonda DeBerry (1992-96), Marie Lupia, and Kelly Bradley (1994-98). Huntley earned All-CAA honors in 1993, the same year the Lady Monarchs went 22-8 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Deberry was an All-CAA selection in 1994 when ODU went 25-6 and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament as well.
LAUNCHING THE NEW CAA: Four new schools will be among the Colonial Athletic Association members this season. Delaware, Drexel, Hofstra, and Towson join the league this season. Old Dominion will be one of the first schools to welcome the new members as the Lady Monarchs host Towson on Friday night. A ceremonial tip-off will occur prior to the game.
WHO ARE THESE GUYS: The Old Dominion Lady Monarchs have never faced any of the four new CAA teams on the hardwood before. Here's the dates for the first meetings in the schools history:
11/16vs. Towson1/11at Delaware1/17vs. Hofstra1/20vs. DrexelFRESH FACES: Max Nhassengo and Shareese Grant each put in fine performances in their first exhibition showing against Remus Powerbasket. Nhassengo was 6-of-14 from the floor with 14 points in just 17 minutes of action. Grant poured in nine points in just 11 minutes on 4-of-7 shooting.
ROAD TRIP: Following Friday night's game at the Fieldhouse, the Lady Monarchs will be off for a three-game road trip. Old Dominion will travel to Blacksburg, VA on Monday, November 19th for their first taste of non-conference action. The road trip will also take them to VCU and North Carolina State.
SCHEDULING THE TOP 25: Five opponents on this year's 2001-02 schedule are ranking in the top 25 of the USA Today/ESPN Poll. The Lady Monarch will face the two top teams in the poll, Connecticut and Tennessee, as well as #11 N.C. State, #19 Penn State, and #23 Rutgers. North Carolin, Virginia Tech, and James Madison are also on the Lady Monarchs slate this season. Each of those teams received votes in the poll.
COACHES SHOW: The Wendy Larry Show on ESPN Radio (1310 am) will be broadcast on Monday's from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Join host Tony Mercurio along with Old Dominion Lady Monarch head coach Wendy Larry in reviewing the previous weeks games and get an insight on upcoming Lady Monarch battles. Check out the ODU website at www.odusports.com to submit a question to Coach Larry and listen each week to hear if you question is aired.
ANOTHER NEW FACE: The Lady Monarchs added Kelly Hill, a walk-on from Louisiana to this year's roster. Hill, who averaged 15 points and seven rebounds at De La Salle High School, will be wearing number 10.
WE'RE PICKED NUMBER ONE: Old Dominion was the unanimous choice of the media to win the 2001-02 CAA women's basketball championship in a vote taken Wednesday at CAA basketball media day at the ESPNZone in Baltimore. ODU senior forward Lucienne Berthieu, who missed all of last season with a knee injury after earning CAA Player of the Year honors in 1999 and 2000, was selected as CAA Preseason Player of the Year for 2002. Joining her on the preseason All-CAA squad were teammates Hamchetou Maiga, the 2001 CAA Player of the Year and Okeisha Howard, James Madison junior forward Nadine Morgan and Virginia Commonwealth senior guard Rochelle Luckett.
CAA Women's Basketball Preseason Poll(as selected by the media)
1. Old Dominion (14 first-place votes)2. James Madison3. George Mason4. Delaware5. Drexel6. Virginia Commonwealth7. William and Mary8. Hofstra9. UNC Wilmington10. Towson
Preseason All-CAA Women's Basketball Team
Lucienne Berthieu, Sr., F, Old DominionHamchetou Maiga, Sr., F, Old DominionOkeisha Howard, Jr., G, Old DominionNadine Morgan, Jr., F, James MadisonRochelle Luckett, Sr., G, Virginia Commonwealth
Player of the Year: Lucienne Berthieu
TURNER TO MISS 2001-02 SEASON: Lady Monarch red-shirt freshman Corrina Turner will sit out the 2001-2002 basketball season after suffering a knee injury during a pick-up game. A MRI performed confirmed that Turner has torn her ACL on the same knee that caused her to sit out most of the 2000-2001 season.
TV TIME: The Lady Monarchs' match-up with James Madison will appear on Comcast SportsNet in the Baltimore-Washington area which reaches over three million households. The CAA Tournament championships game will also air on the same network on March 9th.
TICKET REMINDER: Individual game tickets for both men's and women's basketball went on sale on Monday, November 5th. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 discount/youth/senior citizen/ODU faculty/staff. Group of 20 or more is $5. Phone orders must go through Ticketmaster at 671-8100. For more information, call the ODU Athletic Ticket Office 683-4444.