Nov. 18, 2009
Complete Game Notes in PDF Format
Game 2
Thursday, November 19th - 7:00 p.m. (EST)
Comcast Center (17,950) - College Park, Md.
Old Dominion University Lady Monarchs (1-0, 0-0 CAA) vs.
RV/#20 University of Maryland (2-0, 0-0 ACC)
TV: None
Radio: Star 1310 AM
Online Audio: Monarch TV
NORFOLK, Va. -- The Lady Monarchs (0-1) head out of town for game two of the 2009-10 season to face RV/#20 Maryland (2-0) Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. In order to accomodate both the men's and women's team in a live broadcast, the women's game will move to Star 1310 AM with the pre-game show beginning at 6:30 p.m.
ODU is coming off a loss to second-ranked Stanford in the season opener while Maryland has posted a pair of victories over NC Central and New Hampshire. ODU has been led by Jasmine Parker (Norfolk, Va.) with 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and a career-high five steals. Maryland has three players averaging double figures through the first two games, including rookie Tianna Hawkins, averaging a double-double with 11.0 ppg and 11.5 rpg.
Today's Game:All-Time Series --
Maryland holds an 11-8 lead in the all-time series, including winning nine straight matchups dating back to 1986. Last season was the first game between the two teams since December 8, 1993. Maryland won the game in Norfolk last season by holding ODU to just two points in the last four minutes, pulling ahead to win 74-65. ODU has not defeated Maryland since December 14, 1985, when the Lady Monarchs posted a 78-57 victory in the Fieldhouse.
About Maryland --
Maryland is the first team out of the AP Top 25 and is ranked 20th in the nation according to the ESPN/USA Today Coach's Poll. The ACC squad was picked to finish fifth in the league after reaching the Elite 8 last season. The Terps are led by a core group of young players, as they have just two seniors and no juniors on the team. Sophomore Lynetta Kizer returns to lead the way early this season, averaging 17.0 points per game and 8.0 rebounds per game. Rookie Tianna Hawkins is averaging a double-double through two games, with 11.0 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. Senior shooter Lori Bjork is back for her final campaign and has started both games, dishing out seven assists and adding a modest 6.5 points per game. Head coach Brenda Frese is in her 11th year at the helm for the Terps with six straight NCAA appearances under her belt, including the 2006 NCAA Championship.
Who's Back?
The top returner for the Lady Monarchs in 2009-10 is senior forward Jessica Canady. Canady was a 2nd Team All-CAA Forward last year and was tabbed to the Pre-Season First Team headed into her final campaign. The Williamsburg native ranked second in the CAA in rebounding, hauling in 9.6 boards per game, despite missing six games due to injury. She also returns the highest scoring for ODU this year, after averaging 12.6 points per game last season. Also back for ODU is third-leading scorer Jasmine Parker (10.2 ppg) in the backcourt. Parker started nearly half the games at the shooting guard slot last season. Shadasia Green also returns after a breakout sophomore season that saw her finish with 9.3 ppg and 6.0 rpg a year ago. Juniors Vicki Collier and Russia Voronina are also back in the fold, with sophomore Pryncess Tate-Dublin and redshirt freshman Jo Guilford returning as well.
Who's New?
Though not new to the Lady Monarchs, as she was with the team all last season, Tia Lewis is the most exciting newcomer to the hardwood this year. The 2007-08 Conference USA Freshman of the Year and league-leading rebounder is finally set to debut for the Lady Monarchs. A transfer from Central Florida, Lewis has had a year to learn Coach Larry's system and will be asked to shoulder a heavy load right away. Also expect junior transfer Kquanise Byrd to step in right away as a scoring threat. She ranked third in the nation in scoring (24.4 ppg) at the junior college level playing for Miami-Dade College. True freshmen Carolann Cloutier, Jackie Cook and Becca Allison will also provide significant depth right away for the Lady Monarchs.
CAA Preseason Poll
The Lady Monarchs were picked to finish third in the CAA Preseason Rankings, as voted on by the head coaches. Defending champions Drexel were pegged as the top team heading into 2009-10 with James Madison also selected ahead of ODU.
2009-10 Preseason Predicted Order of Finish:
1. Drexel
2. James Madison
3. Old Dominion
4. Delaware
5. VCU
6. Towson
7. Hofstra
8. UNC Wilmington
9. William and Mary
10. Northeastern
11. Georgia State
12. George Mason
Startin' Out Right
Jasmine Parker played extremely well against the second ranked Cardinal in the season opener, scoring a team-high 16 points and adding five rebounds, four assists, a career-high five steals and a perfect 5-for-5 night from the free-throw line. Despite a poor first half, Tia Lewis also came away with a stellar first game, finishing just one rebound shy of a double-double. Lewis finished with 15 points and nine rebounds in her first game as a Lady Monarch. Junior Shadasia Green continued her hot play of late with 11 points and seven rebounds. She averaged 16 ppg and 7 rpg in the two exhibitions.