NORFOLK, Va. – The Old Dominion University women’s basketball team held their Annual Lady Monarch Banquet last night at the ODU Rowing Center at Lakewood Park, which celebrated a season of new heights both on and off the court.
This year’s Lady Monarch’s season was highlighted by so many incredible achievements, such as:
-Averaging 2,884 fans per contest in the regular season, which was second in Conference USA and ranked No. 38 in the country.
-Won 11 games on their home hardwood.
-Had 8,086 elementary school children at the Ted Constant Convocation Center on Dec. 4, 2013 for its third annual Education Day Game with the Norfolk Public Schools. The game marked the Lady Monarchs’ highest attended game since the Ted opened in 2002.
-Earned a first-round bye in their first ever Conference USA Tournament and eventually advanced to the Second Round of 2014 WNIT.
ACADEMICS
Wednesday’s Annual Lady Monarch Banquet began with the Voice of the Lady Monarchs, Doug Ripley, recognizing Old Dominion’s team G.P.A. for being over a 3.0 this season, with Ije Ajemba, Ashley Betz-White, Galaisha Goodhope, Annika Holopainen, Tiffany Minor and Destinee Young making the Conference USA Honor Roll for G.P.A.’s over a 3.0. In fact, Goodhope, Holopainen and Minor were each enlisted onto the school’s Dean’s List for holding G.P.A.’s over a 3.4, while Goodhope and Holopainen both earned C-USA Academic Medals for compiling a 3.75 G.P.A. or higher. And to cap of this incredible academic year for the Lady Monarchs, Galaisha Goodhope was one of just of just five players and the only underclassmen to be selected for the Conference USA All-Academic Team.
Jennie Simms Garners N.A.A.C.P. Female Athlete of the Year
Jennie Simms was named the 2013-14 N.A.A.C.P. Female Athlete of the Year at ODU for excelling around the community while striving for academic excellence.
Karen Barefoot Claims Win No. 250
ODU Head Coach Karen Barefoot picked up an impressive milestone with career win No. 250 when the Lady Monarchs defeated Marshall 65-52 in overtime on February 1, at the Ted Constant Center.
Becca Allison Earns C-USA Spirit of Service Award
Becca Allison, Old Dominion’s 5-foot-8 senior guard from Edinburgh, Scotland, was named an honoree of the C-USA Spirit of Service Award, as announced by Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky. The C-USA Spirit of Service Award is designed to recognize the community service efforts of the league's student-athletes, based upon significant community service, good academic standing and participation in their elected sport.
SPECIAL TEAM AWARDS ANNOUNCED AT THE BANQUET
THE CHIEF – Galaisha Goodhope
Galaisha Goodhope averaged 3.6 assists per game, which was the highest of any player under Karen Barefoot. Goodhope tallied 115 total assists, which was seventh most ever by an ODU sophomore. ‘GG’ was second on the team in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.44) and in conference play (1.64). Goodhope was also second on the team in steals with 48.
THE SPARKS – Odegua Oigbokie and Michelle Brandao
Odegua Oigbokie really came on strong and became even more of a force down low for the Lady Monarchs in the second part of this season. As just a true freshman, Oigbokie played nearly 16 minutes a game, while making the most of her minutes: 5.3 points per game and 3.4 rebounds a contest. Speaking of efficiency, Odegua connected on 46.2% of her field goal attempts this year.
Brandao compiled three or more assists in 10 games during her senior campaign. Michelle scored eight points and added nine assists in WNIT win over Navy, and racked up eight points, five assists, and three rebounds against Boston (12/1). Brandao had a 2.28 assist-to-turnover ratio in final nine games.
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER – Stephanie Gardner
Recorded eight double-digit point games this season as a senior co-captain. Gardner averaged 6.2 points per game, shot (.702) from the free throw line and set a career high in points (21), rebounds (4), and steals (3) in the season-opening win over Delaware State. ‘SG’ finished with 20 points and four rebounds against Virginia Tech. The 5’7 guard had 53 rebounds and 41 assists on the year.
BEST ALL-AROUND POST PLAYER – Chelisa Painter
Painter was second on the team in points (8.9), rebounds (5.9) and blocks (0.6) per game this season. Chelisa posted double-figure points 15 times, as well as three double-doubles. Painter also connected on 76.2% 0f her free-throws in the last 12 games of the year (32 of 42).
BEST ALL-AROUND PERIMETER PLAYER – Shae Kelley
This season, Shae Kelley was named to 2014 All-Conference USA First Team and surpassed the 1,000-point career scoring mark in just two years, becoming just the fifth Lady Monarch to do so. The 6’1 forward averaged 17.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per game and led the team in total points (605), rebounding (331), field-goals made (225), free-throws made (151), blocked shots (42), steals (61), starts (34), and minutes per game (33.6). Shae racked up 17 double-doubles this season, which ranked No. 17 nationally.
THE WARRIOR (Sara Jones ‘Whatever It Takes’ Award) – Becca Allison
Becca Allison had eight double-figure point games during her senior season. She scored a career-high 17 points in the win over UMass Lowell (12/4) and racked up 13 points while going 11 for 11 in free throws against ECU (1/30). Becca tallied 14 points and seven rebounds in the second round of the C-USA tournament against UTSA. The 5’8 guard led the squad in free throw shooting percentage (.764), making 81 of 106 attempts, while also racking up 53 assists and 34 steals on the season.
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