Oct. 28, 2003
NORFOLK, VA -- Junior forward Paula Muxiri (Luanda, Angola) will sit out this season as an academic redshirt, as announced today by Old Dominion women's basketball head coach Wendy Larry.
"Redshirting this season will give Paula the opportunity to continue to build a strong academic foundation," said head coach Wendy Larry. "Paula will continue to workout with the team and we look forward to her challenging her teammates in practice."
Muxiri was one of the top Lady Monarchs off the bench in 2002-03, averaging 2.3 points and 1.8 rebounds along with a tough defensive presence. Making appearances in all 32 games, she scored a season-high 10 points in the regular season finale against William & Mary (3-2-03) and grabbed a season-high six boards against Hofstra (1-26-03).
The 6-1 forward joined the Lady Monarchs squad last season after transferring from the University of Lusiada in Lisbon, Portugal. A native of Angola, she had stints with the Portuguese junior championship team and a two-year tour with the national team. She was also a member of the Santo-Andre club along with Lady Monarch senior Max Nhassengo.
The Lady Monarchs will play in three exhibition games before officially kicking off the 2003-04 season. Old Dominion will play its annual Blue-White scrimmage on Tuesday, October 28th and also host Team Concept on Tuesday, November 4th and Team Concept on Tuesday, November 11th.
The regular season gets underway on Friday, November 14th when Old Dominion travels to Boulder, Colorado to participate in the WBCA Preseason Classic. The Lady Monarchs will take on 2003 Sweet 16 participant Colorado in the opening round and face either Notre Dame, another 2003 Sweet 16 participant, or WNIT Champion, Auburn, in the following bracket.