Oct. 28, 2010
NORFOLK, Va. - The Old Dominion University women's basketball team will take to the court for the first time this season Friday evening, as the Lady Monarchs play in the annual Blue-White game to be held at the Constant Center at 7 p.m. Admission is free and Lady Monarch players will be signing autographs after the game.
Old Dominion finished atop the Colonial Athletic Association regular-season standings a year ago on the way to its 18th postseason appearance in the last 19 years.
The Lady Monarchs have high expectations this year as legendary coach Wendy Larry welcomes back four starters and a number of top reserves. ODU's three leading scorers return, including senior Jasmine Parker, who contributed 11.1 points and 2.4 steals per game en route to earning All-CAA Second Team and All-Defensive Team accolades in 2010.
All-CAA Third Team selection Shadasia Green (10.7 ppg/5.3 rpg) will team up with senior Kquanise Byrd (3.9 ppg) and sophomore Jackie Cook (4.8 ppg) to offer ODU a solid presence in the backcourt.
Junior Tia Lewis (11.2 ppg/7.6 rpg) anchors the post after ranking among league leaders in scoring and rebounding. Lewis will be joined by classmate Mairi Buchan, who averaged 4.8 points per game during her sophomore campaign.
Old Dominion had three players named to the Preseason All-Colonial Athletic Association Second Team and the 2010-11 squad was picked to finish second in the conference according to a vote of the league's women's basketball coaches. Green, Lewis and Parker were all named Second Team Preseason All-CAA.
Old Dominion went 19-14 overall a year ago and finished first in the final CAA regular-season standings with a 14-4 mark. The Lady Monarchs topped American in the opening round of the WNIT before falling to Providence on the road.
The Blue-White game will feature a pair of 16-minue halves. Prior to the game, the entire team, including coaches and managers, will be introduced.
Old Dominion will also host a pair of scrimmages against Davis & Elkins (Nov. 5) and Bowie State (Nov. 9) before opening the regular season at home against Georgia Tech on November 14 at 2 p.m.
-ODU-