Women's Hoops Reveals Non-Conference Schedule

NORFOLK, Va. -- Head coach Karen Barefoot and the Old Dominion women’s basketball program announced the non-conference schedule for the upcoming 2016-17 season on Wednesday afternoon.

“I am extremely excited for our upcoming season," said Barefoot. "As an experienced team, we wanted to make sure that our players were challenged early on prior to C-USA play."

Led by Conference USA scoring leader and 1,000-point scorer Jennie Simms, the Lady Monarchs return all but one player from last year's squad that reached the Conference USA Championship game. Also returning for ODU are two of C-USA's top rebounders in Ije Ajemba and Destinee Young, while the squad also welcomes a talented crop of newcomers.

Old Dominion opens the season at home against local foes Norfolk State (Nov. 18) and William & Mary (Nov. 20). 

The squad then travels to Duke (Nov. 22) as part of a home-and-home series that will see the Blue Devils return to The Ted in 2017-18. Following the trip to Durham, ODU will play a pair of home games against North Carolina Central (Nov. 27) and Dartmouth (Nov. 30), which will serve as the sixth annual Education Day game. 

The month of December opens with a road trip to Miami (FL) (Dec. 4) and continues at The Ted with home matchups against VCU (Dec. 9) and Hampton (Dec. 18). 

"We have four Virginia opponents on our schedule," said Barefoot about the in-state matchups. "It's still our goal to be one of the best women's basketball programs in the state and it also allows fans of both teams to experience the gameday atmosphere."

The Lady Monarchs then head to Winter Park for the Florida Sunshine Classic. While there, ODU will take on 2016 NCAA runner-up Syracuse (Dec. 20) and then battles Dayton (Dec. 21) in the second game.

"We're on the road at Duke and Miami and also compete against Syracuse and Dayton in the Florida Sunshine Classic," said Barefoot. "These games will definitely prepare us for C-USA and give our players a preview of postseason play, as all of those teams have competed in the NCAA Tournament."

An away contest at East Tennessee State (Dec. 28) concludes the non-conference slate, before the Lady Monarchs move into Conference USA play at Rice (Dec. 30). 

"We have a total of 15 home games and there is nothing like playing at home and protecting your house," stated Barefoot. "Overall, we are excited for the challenge that awaits us."

After guiding the program to its 1,00th victory last season, Barefoot is closing in on another milestone, as she is just four wins away from 300 for her head coaching career. 

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2016-17 Old Dominion Women's Basketball Schedule