Nov. 22, 2009
Complete Game Notes in PDF Format
Game 3
Monday, November 23rd - 7:00 p.m. (EST)
Ted Constant Convocation Center (8,600) - Norfolk, Va.
Old Dominion University Lady Monarchs (0-2, 0-0 CAA) vs.
North Carolina State University Wolfpack (3-1, 0-0 ACC)
TV: None
Radio: ESPN Radio 94.1 FM
Online Audio: Monarch TV
Online Video: Monarch TV
NORFOLK, Va. -- The ODU Lady Monarchs (0-2) return to the Ted Constant Convocation Center Monday night as they host the N.C. State Wolfpack (3-1) in non-conference action at 7:00 p.m. It will be the first time the two teams have matched up since the 2002-03 season and the third ever game in the Constant Center.
ODU has opened the season 0-2 with a pair of losses to nationally ranked teams. Junior guard Jasmine Parker has led the way for the Lady Monarchs, averaging 20.0 ppg and 4.5 rpg. She posted a career-high 24 points against RV/#20 Maryland on Thursday night. The Wolfpack are coming in with a 3-1 record to open the season, with its only loss coming to Vermont. The game against ODU will be the first road game of the year for NC State.
Today's Game:
In Honor of Kay Yow -- Tonight the Lady Monarchs will be wearing their pink jerseys and the coaching staff will also be in pink in an effort to honor Coach Kay Yow and her battle against breast cancer, as well as all she did to raise awareness and funds to find a cure. Coach Yow was the women's basketball coach at N.C. State for 34 years before tragically losing her fight in January of this year. The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund has raised over $1.7 million in just two years.
All-Time Series -- The All-Time series favors the Wolfpack, 18-14, dating back to 1974-75. NC State was leading the series 7-2 before running off a string of five straight and six of seven wins. The two teams haven't played since the 2002-03 season when the Wolfpack came to the Ted Constant Convocation Center for it's inaugural season and lost a 24-point decision to the Lady Monarchs. It was the worst loss ever handed to the Pack from Old Dominion.
About N.C. State -- This season, the Wolfpack are off to a 3-1 start to the season that includes head coach Kellie Harper's 100th career victory on Friday night against Davidson. Three NC State players are averaging double figures early this season, led by Bonae Holston, a sophomore forward from Newport News, Virginia. She is averaging a team-high 14.3 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game and is shooting 58% from the field. The other two Pack players averaging double figures are junior guard Amber White with 12.8 per contest and freshman guard Marissa Kastanek, averaging 12.3 points per game. Kastanek is a shooter, knocking down 7 three's so far this season and White is shooting 58% from the field while adding a team-high 14 free-throws made.
As a team, the Wolfpack are outrebounding opponents by a +12.3 margin so far this season, averaging 43.5 boards per game. They are shooting 45% from the field as a team.
NC State was picked to finish ninth in the pre-season ACC's Preseason Predicted Order of Finish as voted by the league's head coaches.
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, 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.
Potent Parker Attack
In the second game of the season, Jasmine Parker scored a career-high 24 points and is now averaging 20.0 points per game this season. She came out of the locker room on a torrid pace, scoring 12 of Old Dominion's first 20 points and giving the Lady Monarchs the lead against the 20th ranked team in the nation. She finished with 24 points, four assists, four rebounds and three steals in her second consecutive solid game against a nationally ranked opponent.