March 15, 2010
Complete WNIT Bracket in PDF Format
NORFOLK, Va. - The Old Dominion University Lady Monarchs (18-13) will host the American University Eagles (22-9) Wednesday night at 7 p.m. (EST) in the Ted Constant Convocation Center in the first round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT).
"To be a part of the field of postseason play is exciting," said ODU head coach Wendy Larry, "and getting a chance to play at home is certainly a credit to our fan base."
Old Dominion, regular season champs of the Colonial Athletic Association, is coming off its first ever loss in their 18th appearance in the CAA Championship game and will be headed to a postseason tournament for the 19th time in the past 20 years. They earned the CAA's automatic bid into the WNIT after finishing as the regular season champion with a 14-4 record in league play. Junior All-CAA Second Team and All-Tournament Team selection Jasmine Parker (Norfolk, Va.) leads the way for ODU as the team leader in scoring (10.9 ppg), assists (3.5 apg) and steals (2.5 spg).
American earned a share of the Patriot League regular season title this year, finishing the season with a program-best 13-1 mark in the Patriot. The Eagles were 22-9 overall, falling in the league championship game to Lehigh, 58-42. American boasts the Patriot League Player of the Year, junior Michelle Kirk. Kirk is the first ever American player to earn the honor, doing so by scoring 18.1 points per game in the front court.
Tickets will be available starting at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday at the ODU Box Office. All tickets will be general admission, and prices are $10 for adults, $7 for youth 17 and under, senior citizens and military personnel and $5 for ODU students with a valid ID. Old Dominion will be making its first appearance in the WNIT.
The winner of the ODU/American matchup will face the winner of the Boston University/Providence first round matchup.