| | Head coach Wendy Larry and senior guard Jazzmin Walters |
NORFOLK, Va. -- Join Old Dominion women's basketball coach Wendy Larry and senior guard and Second Team All-CAA Preseason selection Jazzmin Walters on Tuesday, November 4th for an election day live chat at 11:00 a.m. The Old Dominion women's basketball team is coming off a 31-5 season, which marked an appearance in last year's "Sweet 16". The 2008-09 season kicks off at the World Vision Classic in Austin, Texas with ODU taking on St. Mary's, Dayton, and the host Longhorns. The Lady Monarchs' first home game will be a rematch of last year's thrilling NCAA second round game with Virginia entering the Constant Center on Friday, November 21st for Homecoming. Head coach Wendy Larry for over two decades has guided the Lady Monarchs to an astounding 20 NCAA Tournaments, captured a NCAA record setting 17 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Titles, collected over 500 victories, and continue a historic and iconic Lady Monarch tradition year-in and year-out. In 24 years as a head coach, she has compiled an impressive 552-196 record and as the head of the Lady Monarch program, has won an impressive 75 percent of her games (503-164). Her Old Dominion teams has been the dominate force in the CAA, including being picked to win an astonishing 18th CAA title in the preseason poll. Jazzmin Walters, a Preseason Second Team All-CAA selection, enters her senior season in 2008-09. The 5-2 guard made one of biggest plays of the 2008 NCAA Tournament and in Lady Monarch history as she connected on a three-pointer from way beyond the arc with 4.8 remaining in overtime against Virginia to send ODU to the "Sweet 16" for the first time since 2002. Starting at the point in all 36 games last season, Walters averaged 7.5 points and 5.0 assists a game. and led the CAA in assists per game (4.97). She recorded 179 assists on the year to rank third on the ODU junior assists list behind Lady Monarch legends Ticha Penicherio and Nancy Lieberman. Fans send your questions in now for Wendy Larry and Jazzmin Walters and don't forget to join us on Tuesday, November 4th. |
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| Moderator: Good morning everyone and welcome to today's live chat with senior Lady Monarch Jazzmin Walters. Due to a last minute schedule conflict Wendy Larry will not be able to join us today, but we will schedule her for another live chat soon. |
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| Olivia: HEY...Jen Nuzzo is my cousin...Lets hope we win the CAA this year.......AGAIN!!!!! |
| | Jazzmin Walters: Jen is great to play with. Capturing our 18th CAA championship is in our plans. |
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Norfolk: Jazzmin, Who influenced you the most in your early development of playing basketball. Reuben |
| | Jazzmin Walters: In my early development, it has to be my father. He had me in the gym for several hours at a young age when I wish I was out playing with my friends. He just constantly had me playing me in rec league and AAU ball since I was young enough to play. |
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| Olivia: Are you nervous about winning the 18th CAA title!!!CROSS YOUR FINGERS!!!! |
| | Jazzmin Walters: Am I nervous...no not at all. I'm more excited than nervous, but at the same time I know its not going to be handed to us. So we are going to have to do what we've done for the last 17 years and prepare for every opponent, work hard, and savor the moment when we get the ring. |
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| Jana Lambson( virginia beach): what do you have to do to get a full ride to a division 1 college and start as a freshman. |
| | Jazzmin Walters: From my point of view, you always have to think academics first. Then once you are qualified academically, you basically have to go in there every day and prove yourself to the coaches. Its kind of tough coming in as a freshman and starting, because at this level its all about experience, but then again there are some freshmen who make that transition look easy. |
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Ashley (Virginia Beach): Jazz, As a senior what are your expectations and goals this season?? I hope everybody gets healthy to play this season!!! Good luck this season!!!!! Lady Monarch Basketball 08-09 |
| | Jazzmin Walters: Now there are individual goals and there are team goals. Individuals goals would be to graduate on time and as far as basketball, is to go out there and be a leader for my team. I love seeing the growth of the freshmen and helping them out as much as possible. Communicating well with our coaches so we are always on the same page. As a team, I would say building chemistry, bonding together throughout the season, taking it day-by-day, winning the CAA, being nationally recognized by upsetting a lot of teams, and of course giving back to our fans as much as possible. |
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| VaBeach: What is one of the most important things you've learned during your time as a student athlete at ODU? |
| | Jazzmin Walters: Responsibility, time management, how important work ethic is, and just being in college helps you notice things about yourself you've never known before. You see yourself grow and you meet people who form life long relationships with. |
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| Jim (Norfolk): Jazz -- Without TJ for the first time in your career, are we going to see you look for the outside shot more often this year? |
| | Jazzmin Walters: Most definately. I've already had the talk with my coaches about having me score a little bit more and not being as passive, but at the same time about how to get my team involved early and know that the flow of the game revolves around the point guard. Maybe we'll see some more buzzer beaters like the UVA game ;) |
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Rob (Norfolk): Coach Larry:Who can we expect to step up this season with the Megan Pym-type effort? She seemed to always put her body on the line for the team... Jazz:What game are you looking forward to most this season? |
| | Jazzmin Walters: As far as Megan, no one can take Megan's place, but we have a number of people who have as much potential as Megan. Jessica Canady and Mairi Buchan are two that come to mind. As far as the game, I'm looking forward to all of them, as I approach each game the same. But right now, I'm most excited for the non-conference ranked teams we're playing...especially UVA and Maryland. |
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| Hampton: What will you miss most about your days as a Lady Monarch? |
| | Jazzmin Walters: The fun we have off the court. The bonds we've formed as a team. All the coaches. The road trips. Definately and most importantly, the fans! |
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| Moderator: There's still time to submit questions for Jazzmin. |
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| Kasey (Va. Beach, Va.): Did you vote? Obama or McCain? |
| | Jazzmin Walters: Yes, got up at 4:30 a.m. this morning. Waited in a long line, where it was raining for two and a half hours and now I'm rocking my "I voted" sticker. As for who's gonna be president...we'll see tonight. Don't forget to get out and vote...and before 7 p.m. |
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| Moderator: We have only a few more minutes with Jazzmin. Hurry up and submit your questions now. |
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| Brian (New Jersey): What does being selected second team all-caa in the preseason mean to you? |
| | Jazzmin Walters: Its a great honor to be recognized as one of the top in your conference. I feel really thankfull to be so highly recognized. |
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| Moderator: Thank you to Jazzmin Walters for dropping by this morning for today's live chat on ODUSports.com. Be sure to catch the No. 25 Lady Monarchs in their final exhibition showing on Monday, November 10th against Shaw University. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at the Ted Constant Convocation Center. |
| Moderator: Also don't forget seventh annual Colonial Athletic Association Blood Challenge comes to the Old Dominion campus on Wednesday, November 5th from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. in the Perry Library. All those who participate will receive a free t-shirt and be entered into a raffle for various prizes, including a chance to win a $100 "Stock Your Pantry" prize for the holiday shoppping spree! To schedule an appointment to donate blood and help save a life, visit givelife.org and enter sponsor code: ODU. |
| Moderator: Thank you all for participating and have a great day! |
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