Feb. 27, 2010
NORFOLK, Va. -- Earlier this year, the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) announced its women's basketball Silver Anniversary team, including 11 former Lady Monarchs. This Wednesday, nine of those eleven Lady Monarchs will return to Norfolk for a special celebration in honor of their accomplishments.
As a part of its 25th Anniversary celebration in 2009-10, the CAA recognized Silver Anniversary teams in 21 championship sports, selected by a panel of current and former head coaches in the conference.
The Old Dominion Lady Monarchs honored as a part of the CAA Silver Anniversary Team are: Mery Andrade (Lisbon, Portugal), Lucienne Berthieu (Rennes, France), Monique Coker (Bronx, N.Y.), Natalie Diaz (Mojave Valley, Ariz.), Shareese Grant (Virginia Beach, Va.), Celeste Hill (Covington, Ky.), T.J. Jordan (Portsmouth, Va.), Clarisse Machanguana (Maputo, Mozambique), Hamchetou Maiga (Bamako, Mali), Ticha Penicheiro (Figiero da Foz, Portugal), and Nyree Roberts (Jersey City, N.J.).
Nine of the eleven Lady Monarchs, some of whom have not been able to return since their graduation, will be returning to Norfolk for the regular season finale against Towson this Wednesday, March 3rd at 7:00 p.m.
ODU's 25th Anniversary Team Members
Mery Andrade - Old Dominion - 1995-99 - Lisbon, Portugal
· CAA Co-Player of the Year and CAA Defensive Player of the Year in 1998-99
· Ranks fourth in CAA history with 382 career steals
· Three-time All-CAA and three-time CAA All-Defensive team selection
Lucienne Berthieu - Old Dominion - 1998-2002 - Rennes, France
· Three-time CAA Player of the Year (1998-99, 1999-2000, 2001-02)
· Chosen as a 3rd-team All-American by Women's Basketball Journal in 2000
· Three-time All-CAA selection and CAA Rookie of the Year in 1998-99
Monique Coker - Old Dominion - 2000-04 - Bronx, N.Y.
· 2001 CAA Tournament MVP who was a four-time CAA All-Tournament team selection
· Ranks 10th on the CAA career rebounds list with 951
· Two-time member of the All-CAA team
Natalie Diaz - Old Dominion - 1996-2000 - Mojave Valley, Ariz.
· Chosen as the MVP of the CAA Tournament in 1999 and 2000
· Earned first-team All-CAA and CAA All-Defensive team accolades in 1999-2000
· Ranks 8th on ODU's career steals chart with 252
Shareese Grant - Old Dominion - 2001-05 - Virginia Beach, Va.
· Selected as the CAA Tournament MVP in 2003, 2004 and 2005
· Received WBCA All-District and honorable mention All-America honors in 2004-05
· Two-time All-CAA pick who ranks 16th in career scoring (1,447 pts) at ODU
Celeste Hill - Old Dominion - 1990-94 - Covington, Ky.
· Three time CAA Player of the Year selection (1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94)
· Ranks second on the CAA's all-time scoring list (2,112 pts) and first in career field goals (841)
· Second on the CAA career rebounds list (1,124) and sixth in career steals (327)
T.J. Jordan - Old Dominion - 2004-08 - Portsmouth, Va.
· Two-time 1st team All-CAA selection and two-time CAA Tournament MVP (2006, 07)
· Owns CAA records for 3-pointers made in a game (10) season (101) and career (323)
· Ranks 13th on ODU's all-time scoring list with 1,525 points
Clarisse Machanguana - Old Dominion - 1994-97 - Maputo, Mozambique
· Two-time Kodak and Associated Press All-American (1995-96, 1996-97)
· CAA Player of the Year in 1994-95 and two-time CAA Tournament MVP
· Ranks fifth on CAA's career scoring list (1,813 pts) and first in career FG% (61.4%)
Hamchetou Maiga - Old Dominion - 1998-2002 - Bamako, Mali
· Honored as the CAA Player of the Year in 2000-01
· Three-time 1st team All-CAA, CAA All-Defensive team and CAA All-Tournament team pick
· Competed in the 2008 Olympic Games for her native country of Mali
Ticha Penicheiro - Old Dominion - 1994-98 - Figiero da Foz, Portugal
· Received the Wade Trophy as the National Player of the Year in 1997-98
· Two-time 1st team All-American and two-time CAA Player of the Year
· CAA's all-time leader in assists (939) and steals (591)
Nyree Roberts - Old Dominion - 1994-98 - Jersey City, N.J.
· CAA Player of the Year and 2nd team AP All-American in 1997-98
· Two-time All-CAA and four-time CAA All-Tournament team selection
· Among the CAA's career top 10 in scoring (1,854 pts), rebounds (986) and blocks (214)