The Old Dominion University women’s basketball team will play their only exhibition game Wednesday, Nov. 5 against Davis & Elkins. The game will take place at the Ted Constant Center with tip-off slated for 7:00 p.m. Tuesday’s contest will be video streamed live through Monarch Media on ODUSports.com.
The Lady Monarchs are poised to begin their second season of Conference USA play and their fourth season under the direction of head coach Karen Barefoot. Under her tutelage, ODU racked up 18 wins en route to its second consecutive WNIT berth during the 2013-14 season after going 19-12 in 2012-13. The Lady Monarchs finished the 2013-14 season strong, winning nine of their last 13 games while handing Southern Miss its only home loss of the season.
Coach Barefoot’s incoming recruiting class has been ranked No. 43 for 2014-15 by the All-Star Report. Old Dominion averaged 2,884 fans per contest for the 2013-14 regular season, ranking second in Conference USA and No. 38 overall in the country.
The Lady Monarchs were picked to finish No. 6 overall in the 2014-15 Conference USA Coaches’ Preseason Poll. Middle Tennessee has been picked to repeat as Conference USA women's basketball champion. Senior forward Chastity Gooch of C-USA newcomer WKU has been tabbed the league's Preseason Player of the Year.
This year’s Old Dominion squad is headlined by redshirt sophomore forward, Jennie Simms, who had to sit out last season due to NCAA rules after transferring from West Virginia University. Redshirt junior guard, Ashley Betz-White, will return to the hardwood this season after taking a medical redshirt in 2013-14. Betz-White was the CAA Rookie of the Year in 2011-12. Joining Simms and Betz-White, will be redshirt sophomore Annika Holopainen, who also had to sit out last season due to NCAA transfer rules. Holopainen was named to the West Coast Conference (WCC) All-Freshman Team in 2012-13 at the University of Portland.
Chelisa Painter is the Lady Monarchs top point/rebound returner after averaging 8.9 points and 5.9 rebounds in 2013-14. Tiffany Minor also returns for her senior campaign after compiling 8.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest just a season ago.
The Lady Monarchs also return Odegua Oigbokie (5.3 pts/3.4 rebs), LaQuanda Younger (2.3 pts/1.6 rebs) and Destinee Young (2.6 pts/2.5 rebs), who will look to contribute to ODU’s continued success for the 2014-15 season.
The Davis & Elkins Senators, who hail from Elkins, W. Va., are beginning their second season as a member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC). Last season, the Senators went 15-14 and 12-4 in conference play en route to a fourth place finish in the G-MAC under the direction of head coach Jason Asbell. Now entering his seventh season, Asbell has led the Senators to four .500 or better seasons. The Senators return three of their top four scorers, including G-MAC second team selection Stephanie Wooten. Wooten averaged 12.9 points a 3.8 assists per contest during her rooking season. Sharmaine Baker (10.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and Ashley Bowles (10.5 ppg) also return for D&E.
After Tuesday’s contest, the Lady Monarchs will be back in action in their regular season opener on Friday, Nov. 14 when they take on Presbyterian at 7 p.m. at the Ted Constant Center.
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