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A look at the upcoming season
2002-03 season
South Region teams
Virginia
Wesleyan
No one was
more surprised at the results of Virginia Wesleyan's 2001-02 season in
women's basketball than the Marlins themselves.
With a promising group of players and a tradition of success on their side, the Marlins entered the campaign set to claim their share of victories and accolades. But, several early-season setbacks put VWC in a rut it could not escape. A 7-17 finish was definitely out of character for VWC, which put together 17 winning seasons in 24 years, including winning records in 11 of 12 Old Dominion Athleic Conference campaigns, prior to last season.
"To be honest, I've tried to forget about it," said sixth-year head coach Joanne Renn. "We have turned the corner and realize it's time to move forward. We've talked about it and understand there's nothing we can do now about last year. But, I know the upperclassmen are very hungry for success. They were embarrassed by the fact that they didn't get into the conference tournament last year, and they should have been embarrassed. I know I was."
If anything, the lack of success in 2002 has only fueled incentive entering the 2002-03 season. The Marlins' goal to get back to winning ways will be helped by the return of eight letterwinners, including seven who started five or more games each last year. That effort will be complemented by the addition of eight newcomers who are expected to contribute quickly.
Angie Cavanaugh, a 5-8 guard, returns as the only senior for a squad that will look to leadership from a solid group of five juniors, led by Devin Allen, a 5-7 guard. Allen led the Marlins in scoring last year with 11.5 points a game, pumping in a season-high 23 against Randolph-Macon Woman's College. She ranked fourteenth among the ODAC's leading scorers and joined Cavanaugh among the league's top 10 in three-point field goals made per game.
Cavanaugh, who ranked sixth in that three-point category and No. 2 in the league in steals (2.71 pg), scored 11.1 points per outing and is on track to become a 1,000 point scorer. She enters the new season with 727 career points and could become the fourteenth VWC woman to hit the 1,000 plateau. Cavanaugh scored a career-high 32 points against Randolph-Macon College in 2001, the same night she hit a VWC and ODAC record 7-for-7 three-pointers.
Allen and Cavanaugh ranked first and second in scoring last year for the Marlins, who return the top five scorers from that season, in addition to the top five rebounders. Leah Starkey, a 5-9 junior, averaged 6.9 points and a team-leading 7.1 rebounds a game, and Cherie Cannady, a 5-10 junior, scored 6.3 points and pulled down 6.3 rebounds each contest. They'll receive help inside from Kristina Adams, a 5-10 sophomore, who put in 5.7 points a game and averaged 4.0 rebounds. She ended the season with a career-high 10 boards against Eastern Mennonite.
Junior Jen Felder, a 5-7 guard, returns as one of the play-making floor leaders for the Marlins, Kim Felder, a 5-7 guard, returns as her back-up, and 5-9 junior Shauntell Dandridge is back to help out in the middle.
Renn will also turn to the talents of one of the largest incoming groups of players in recent years. The eight newcomers represent five states (Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, New York, and Virginia) and carry a long list of accolades that range from most valuable players to all-state honorees. The group includes 6-foot junior Rugi Jalloh, who not only set her high school record in rebounding, but also set the all-time rebounding record for Montgomery Junior College, which placed fifth in the national JUCO championship tournament in 2002. There's also speed in Adrienn Ennis, a double-figure scorer who was also the Delaware state champion in hurdles, and a 3-point shooting champion in Samantha Roberts.
Virginia Wesleyan will play its first full season of competition in the $18.6 million Jane P. Batten Student Center, after playing nearly two seasons without a home court. VWC's women have enjoyed impressive success at home, compiling a 201-83 record on the home court in 25 years. The Marlins will play 14 home games in the 2002-03 season, their highest number at home since 15 during the 1986-87 season.
Chowan
Success has
not come easily for women's basketball at Chowan. Since 1993, the first
season as a four-year school, Braves women's basketball teams have posted
just one winning season. That was until the arrival of current head coach
Stephanie Flamini, who has single handedly turned this ship in the right
direction, headed straight for the top. The Braves are coming off back-to-back
winning seasons for the first time in women's basketball four-year school
history, going 13-11 two seasons ago and 14-12 last season. Under Flamini's
direction, the Braves are poised to have yet another successful season.
Led by a coach who knows how to win, four returning starters, and a group
of talented newcomers the Braves will be setting their sights high for
the 2002-2003 season.
When asked about the prospect of her team in the 2002-2003 season Flamini stated, "I am very excited about the upcoming season. We have a lot of experience coming back and with the additions we have gotten in, it looks to be a very exciting year."
The Braves should contend for a top spot in the Dixie, continuing to battle with teams at the top like Christopher Newport, Methodist, N.C. Wesleyan and Ferrum. Helping the Braves will be a pack of four returning starters from a year ago, who helped the Braves to a 14-11 overall record and 7-7 in Dixie play.
That pack will be led by two seniors and top returning scorers Ashley Winslow (6-0, Camden, N.C.) and sharp shooter Amanda Murray (5-7, Oxford, N.C.). Winslow, a First-Team All-Dixie performer a year ago, led the team in scoring and rebounding with 15.5 points per game while also grabbing 11.3 rebounds per game. Winslow has become the fastest player to get to the 500-rebound and 500-point club in four-year school history. Winslow will be counted on this season to carry the load under the basket for the Braves, as well as help bring along some of the young talent that will join her down there. Murray, who led the team a year ago in three point shooting percentage, shooting 33.3% from beyond the 3-point arc, will be the Braves' main outside threat. Murray averaged 11.3 points per game, while hitting 61 shots in 3-point territory, a new school record. Murray will see most of her time in the three guard position but will also be expected to help out in the three guard position.
The lone junior in the crowd is Candice Fleming (5-10, Tarboro, N.C.). Fleming started all 26 games for the Braves a season ago and will see most of her playing time at the post opposite Winslow. Fleming is coming off a steady season, averaging 6.9 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game. Running the offense last year was freshman now sophomore Erin Ward (5-5, Fort Lee, Va.). Ward started in 25 games, and saw playing time in all 26 games for the Braves. Ward will be expected to carry the Braves once again this season at the point guard position after a stellar freshman year, dishing out 101 assists and totaling 67 steals to lead the team in both categories. Helping Ward out up top will be sophomore Kara Jackson (5-5, Norfolk, Va.).
Jackson was the Braves' sixth man last season, coming off the bench in all 26 games for the Braves. Jackson will see most of her playing time at the two guard spot but will help out at the three and point guard positions as well. Jackson averaged 5.5 points per game as well as 2.5 rebounds per game a year ago. Rounding out the sophomore class is Lindsay McKay (5-4, Havelock, N.C.). McKay watched most of the 2001-2002 season from the sidelines after tearing a ligament in her knee early into the season. McKay will be competing for a guard position this season.
To help the Braves on their quest this season, a group of talented newcomers will help the returners carry the load. This group will be led by Chasity Vaughn (6-0, Murfreesboro, N.C.), who comes to Chowan by way of Louisburg Junior College, where she played two seasons. Vaughn is expected to add depth and versatility to the post position, as she is very quick underneath the basket and can spot up for the ten foot jumper. Another tall newcomer is freshman Tawana Tucker (6-0, Suffolk, Va.). Tucker is another versatile post who can dominate players underneath as well as shoot the ball from ten foot in. Both Vaughn and Tucker should be competing for a starting position this season to compliment Winslow underneath. For more depth in the post position, freshman Kourtney McKay (6-0, Havelock, N.C.) will also get her chance to mix it up underneath. McKay, who joins her sister Lindsay on the squad this season, can play the small forward and three guard position as well. Dezora White (5-9, Hopewell, Va.) will also get her chance to showcase her skills in the small forward position this season. White is very quick and will add versatility to the small forward position.
Three newcomer guards in Rachael Simpson (5-4, Atlanta), Angela Melton (5-4, Tarboro, N.C.), and Christina Addison (5-4, Richmond) will provide depth in the guard positions. All three players are athletic, can handle the ball and should get their chance to prove themselves on the court this season.
The road to the top will not be an easy one to travel as Flamini and the Braves will face a tough non-conference and conference schedule. The Braves tip-off the season in Raleigh, NC, at the Peace College Tournament, where the competition is expected to be tough. The Braves will face off against Southern Virginia, Mary Washington, Newport News and Meredith before heading into a tough Dixie Conference schedule.
The road to the top is going to require persistence and focus, something the Braves are banking on in order to make it there. With the combination of experience and young talent, the Braves are hoping that their road will lead to team success for the 2002-2003 season.
Mississippi
College
Last season the Lady Choctaws failed to make the conference tournament
for the first time in five seasons after qualifying the previous four
seasons. The Lady Choctaws had won the ASC East Division three consecutive
seasons until suffering through last year's injury-plagued
season. Still the team went 17-7 overall and 8-4 in conference play.
Four starters have been lost to graduation that accounted for a majority of the scoring and rebounding. Among those lost is Chastidy Sandifer, ASC East Division Player of the Year and a second team All-South Region selection. It would seem obvious that the Lady Choctaws are in for a tough season with so many players gone from a team that failed to make the ASC tournament, but believe it or not, this season's team has the potential to be one of head coach Paul Allen Duke's best.
Fifteen new players, including eight junior college transfers have been added this year and have provided coach Paul Allen Duke with more overall talent and depth than at any time last season. This is the deepest and most talented individual class of players he has brought in since entering Division III.
"After losing so many players from last season, we had no choice but to work hard recruiting more players", coach Duke says. "I believe the hard work from our coaching staff has paid off with a talented group of ladies to go with the players we have returning from last season. We have an opportunity to have a successful season."
The lone returning starter from last season is Rusty Smith (5'5", 6.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg) at the shooting guard position. She was fourth on the team in scoring but averaged 15 points in the final five games of the season after getting comfortable in the system. She was also second on the team with 55 steals.
"We are counting on Rusti to be a leader this season as the only senior on the team", Duke says. "She has been through this league before and knows what it takes to win in this conference."
Returning with her in the backcourt is PG Katie Newman (5'5") who played in all 24 games last year in a backup role. Emily Bonner (5'5") returns as well after playing in 22 games.
The backcourt gets
a big boost with the arrival of several incoming players. Challenging
Newman at the point guard position will be Jones Junior College transfer
Brittany Sumrall (8 ppg, 5 apg) and freshman Jennifer Drott (10 ppg, 8
apg). Sumrall, a junior college All-Star, is a good shooter and floor
leader having helped her team to a 23-8 record and state championship
her freshman season.
Drott, a freshman from Erath, La., has played well in early season practices
and is pushing for extended playing time. She has good size for a point
guard and is possibly the best shooter.
Freshman Lacey Kovach (5'5", 18.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg) enters the Lady Choctaw program after a stellar high school career and will provide depth at shooting guard. She was named a LA 3A first team All-State selection and played in the overall LA public school All-Star game. Joining her in the mix for playing time is Jones Junior College transfer Meesha Chambers (5'7", 9 ppg, 8 rpg). The junior college All-Star is the best athlete in the backcourt and is a great defender on the perimeter.
Amanda Gulley (5'9", 3 ppg, 1.7 rpg) returns as a leading candidate at the 3 spot after playing in all 24 games last season with one start. Incoming freshman Lacey Palomarez (5'10", 21 ppg, 7 spg) is battling for playing time at the position. Palomarez is an exceptional athlete with shooting ability and can beat people off the dribble. She will make a push for a starting position. East Central Junior College transfer Lori Cumberland (5'9") is another junior college All-Star looking for playing time and should be in the thick of things.
"There is a lot of competition at all of the guard positions this season and that should make us a better team. It pushes everyone to work harder", Duke says. "But we have some ability there and I anticipate playing several players in those positions."
The Lady Choctaws needed help at the post position more than any other with just one returning player and losing the ASC East Division player of the year Chastidy Sandifer.
Duke and his staff has turned a potential weakness into possibly the team's strength with the arrival of several newcomers including four transfers
Junior college transfers Nikki Conway (6-0, 12 ppg, 12 rpg, 4 apg), Angela Evans (5-11, 15 ppg, 7 rpg), and Laurie Ann Davis (5-11) are all talented and will push lone returner Lauren Johnson for playing time. Conway and Evans were teammates at Holmes JC last season. Conway is a leaper with tremendous athleticism and is a tenacious rebounder. Evans is in the same mold with a good mix of size and athleticism. Both could be impact players in the ASC.
Texas Southern transfer Brenda Alexander (6-2) is the wild card of the bunch after sitting out some of last season. She has the potential to be an impact player. She can consistently score in the post but also has a nice shooting touch from outside. She averaged 15 points and eight rebounds two seasons ago at Southwest Mississippi Community College and gives the Lady Choctaws a presence in the painted area.
"We have more post depth this season than any of our other seasons in Division III", Duke says. "We have the ability to use a lot of different lineups on the floor. Our biggest obstacle right now is getting everyone familiar with our system and on the same page. There are always unknowns that come with so many new players, but we have a chance to be a pretty good basketball team."
The Lady Choctaws will enter the season as a national dark horse team after losing so many players and putting an entirely new group of players together. But there is definitely talent available for Duke. If the team can develop chemistry with one another and pick up the system quickly they could be a team to watch.
Bridgewater
Winning has been synonymous with every program Jean Willi has been associated
with both as a player and a coach. In six seasons as head coach, Willi
has guided the Eagles to a 131-33 record, two ODAC regular season titles,
one conference tournament title, and three NCAA appearances.
With each year’s success, the expectations for the following season have risen and this season is no exception. The Eagles will look to improve their ODAC success in one of the toughest Division III conferences in the nation. With three starters and nine letter winners returning, the Eagles have the skill and seasoning to again compete for an ODAC title and postseason berth. “We have a good nucleus of returnees,” said Willi, who has an impressive .799 winning percentage, “but for us to be successful they [returnees] are going to have to step in and fill the void we lost to graduation.”
The key to this season will be replacing the inside production of Sarah Hagood, the team’s leading scorer (16.9 ppg) and rebounder (8.3 rpg) in 2001-02. Junior Katie Brennan had an outstanding sophomore year. She scored in double figures three times, while shooting 57.5% from the floor. Expect her to step in and improve her numbers. Also back is junior Vicky Ferris. Ferris, “a crowd favorite,” is a hustler and a tenacious rebounder. Sophomores Krystal Hermes and Natalie Swick also will see increased playing time. After seeing limited action last season, Swick is expected to increase her production this fall. While at the power forward position, Swick gives the Eagles a different look. A good shooter, she is capable of taking the three or penetrating. Hermes really came on strong at the end of last season and played with more confidence. She has improved her footwork and strength and with more confidence should improve her production this season as well.
On the wings, look for senior Megan Forster. The team’s top scorer returning at 9.3 ppg, Forster will be looked to provide leadership and her trademark tenacious defense. Also back are juniors Allison Nichols, Sarah Oktavec, and Marie Bolton. Nichols is the team’s top 3-point threat. She shot 36.1% last season from the arc, but has worked on developing a shot off the dribble over the summer. Oktavec is a talented athlete, who will see action at any of four positions. She led the Eagles in assists and steals last season and will be asked to increase her point production for 2002-03. Bolton is a solid all-around player, who has a tremendous work ethic. A good shooter (she shot 44% from the floor), Bolton will also be asked to increase her offensive production this season.
Sophomore Lindsay Andrews will look to contend for the point guard position. After a year in the program, Andrews is playing with a lot of confidence.
New to the program are guards Tia Mann and Chelsea Hawse and forwards Erinn Tracey and Lindsay Cole. Both Mann and Hawse give the Eagles size on the wings and are good shooters with a good work ethic. Tracey is an athletic forward who runs the floor well, while Cole is a good shooter and will join the team after volleyball season.
Eastern
Mennonite
There were several elements responsible for the turnaround in the program
that compiled a 28-93 record in the five years before Mike Dunavant was
named as the head coach of the Lady Royals. Dunavant has coached, and
won, at every level in women's basketball from high school to NCAA Division
I. Assistant Mike Ely brings a vast knowledge of basketball to the Lady
Royals with extensive experience as a head coach at the high school, and
AAU level. Dunavant and Ely worked together when Dunavant was the head
coach at Virginia Commonwealth. Along with a new coaching staff, several
new teammates played key rolls in turning around the program. Some of
the new faces included Heston College transfers Carissa Kennel (New Holland,
Pa./Garden Spot), Emily "Jo" Misak (Hutchinson, Kan./Chaparral),
and Lisa Bergey (Goshen, Ind./Bethany Christian), as well as freshman
standout Jenny Cline (Harrisonburg, Va./Turner Ashby). These talented
players joined 3-point marksman Emily Mullet (Harrisonburg, Va./EMHS)
at EMU resulting in a Lady Royals team with a totally new look and attitude.
While the Lady Royals remained excited about the changes in the program, it was the consistent play of Mullet that carried the team early in the season. Mullet enters into the 2002-2003 season as a strong candidate for All-American honors. Mullet has scored 1,620 points in her career as a Lady Royal ranking her as the second leading scorer in the program's history. Mullet now needs 543 points to become the all-time leading scorer at EMU in women's basketball, a feat well within her reach. An incredible shooter, Mullet has recorded 30 points in a game 12 times in her career at EMU including three 40-plus performances and a career high 58-point performance against Washington & Lee. Mullet has twice led the nation in 3-point baskets giving Dunavant a consistent scoring threat from the perimeter.
Despite playing exceptionally well against a number of great teams, the Lady Royals also came up short several times at the beginning and end of the season. Last season the Lady Royals lost six games by eight points or less and absorbed a two-point loss in the final seconds of the ODAC Tournament quarterfinals to eventual ODAC runner-up Bridgewater. Five of the six close games the Lady Royals dropped last year were against ODAC opponents in the regular season. The Lady Royals know winning just one or two of those close games would have made them one of the top four teams entering last year's ODAC Tournament. Dunavant expects his team to win those close games this year behind the strong play of Mullet, and the runner-up for last year's ODAC Freshman Of The Year award, Jenny Cline.
The successes of last year proved invaluable in the recruiting efforts of Dunavant and his staff, helping them bring in a stellar class of freshmen and transfers to EMU. Incoming Lady Royals include Laura Ludholtz (Fort Defiance, Va./Fort Defiance) a local player coveted by numerous schools and the 2001-2002 Player of the Year in the Valley District… Two-time All-State selection, and 1997 Region B player of the Year Stephanie Lane Mathews (Woodstock, Va./Central)… Carrie Grandstaff (Luray, Va./Mt. Carmel Christian) the career points leader at Mt. Carmel Christian Academy with more than 3,000 points and her teammate from MCCA Regina Sours (Luray, Va./Mt. Carmel Christian) who scored more than 2,000 points and pulled down 1,293 rebounds in her High School career… and local two-sport phenom Amanda Renalds (Bridgewater, Va./Turner Ashby) who competes in both basketball and track & field. Renalds has twice been named to the All-Region Team for Basketball.
After the dramatic
improvements of last season, the Lady Royals are looking forward to even
greater success. And with a new nucleus of talented young players who
believe they can win, it is apparent that the best is yet to come.
Emory
& Henry
Emory &
Henry and head coach Joy Scruggs are looking toward this season with high
hopes and expectations. While the team will be very young, Scruggs believes
that it has the ingredients it takes to be successful.
Leading the way for the youthful Wasps will be junior standouts Erin Connelly, Danielle Moore, and Dawn Chewning. Three starters from last year’s record breaking 22-5 team, these three will be key contributors to this year’s team. Connelly averaged 10.2 points per game last year and also brought down a team leading 8.1 rebounds per game. Moore was also a factor in last year’s success scoring 8.1 points per game while shooting 78% from the charity stripe and pulling in 2.6 rebounds per game. Chewning’s sharp shooting and tenacious defense will also aid the Wasps as they hope for continued success this year. She scored 8.1 points per game and shot an amazing 39% from 3-point range.
Other key returnees will include sophomores Amy Hensley and Shannon Brown who saw court time last year contributing 5.8 and 5.2 points respectively. Veteran leadership will be provided by the team’s two seniors Lindsay McKnight and Tina Kirk Both know what it takes to make this young team a victorious one.
As a team, Emory & Henry led the ODAC with 71.4 points scored per game and defeated their opponents by over 14 points per contest. The Wasps also led the conference in 3-point percentage, making over 33% of their shots from long-range, while tying the national record of 3-pointers in a single game with 20.
In addition to a talented group of returnees, Scruggs and assistant coach Jenny Gibson welcome eight newcomers to this year’s squad. With the strong returning nucleus and a talented bunch of newcomers, the 2002-2003 Wasps hope to once again shake things up in the ODAC.
Guilford
Guilford’s
two-time defending Old Dominion Athletic Conference champions have nine
letter winners returning for head coach Barb Bausch’s 10th year at
Guilford.
All-star guards Erin Beacham ’02 and Amy Evans ’02 graduated with 2,029 career points and 736 career assists between them. Guilford will also miss forward Courtney Hill, last year’s ODAC’s Rookie of the Year.
Juniors Jennie Keichline (8.6 ppg., 4.3 rpg.) and Jackie Hardenbergh (8.0 ppg., 5.6 rpg.) are versatile and veteran forwards who provide reliable scoring and defense. They trailed Beacham and Hill among the Quakers’ 2001-02 scoring leaders and combined for 23 3-pointers. Classmate Nicole McCrory started 21 games at point guard last season.
Junior A.J. Robertson and sophomore Lindsey Johnson provided valuable minutes off the bench a year ago and will have increased roles in 2002-03. Look for good things from sophomore Aftan Medlin, who showed flashes of excellence in her rookie campaign.
Jennifer King, a 5-8 shooting guard of nearby Reidsville, turned down multiple scholarship offers to join the Quakers. She helped Rockingham County H.S. to the state 2-A title game in 2002 and graduated with over 1,000 career points.
“This is a brand-new year,” Bausch said. “We’ve reached a lot of goals in our past two years, but we have to make sure that we don’t assume that’s going to happen (again). We have to start from a certain level and reach and build from there.
“We were champions last year. We’re not given that title. We’ve got to earn that title all over again.”
Hollins
Hollins
finished the conference regular season in 8th place the last two seasons.
With three starters back from last year’s squad and some promising
newcomers, Hollins is looking to the next step forward and finish in the
top half of the league.
Leading the way for HU will be lone senior guard Emily Ferrell. Last season, Ferrell averaged 10.9ppg. She led the team in assists and steals. Ferrell has started in all 75 games she has played since her freshman year. Her experience and knowledge of the game will help her to lead a very young but enthusiastic team.
Also back are starters, point guard Brandi Cochran, a sophomore who started all 26 games last season and averaged 9.0 ppg and center Katie Parnell, a sophomore who jumped into the starting line-up mid way through the season a year ago. Parnell averaged 6.4 ppg and 6.1 rpg. Back from a torn ACL a year ago is junior Jennifer Carpenter. Carpenter started in the first six games of the year before going down with a season ending injury. Carpenter was averaging 7.8 ppg and 3.8 boards a game. Carpenter will move to the forward position this year.
The cast of newcomers who will all contribute include guard Coby Wilmer (Parry McCluer High School), guard Ashley James (Bridge City High School), center Netta VanZwaren (Gemnasia High School), guard Chrishawn Waggoner (St. Timothy’s High School). At 6-5, VanZwaren brings some much-needed height to the lineup. Wilmer and James along with sophomore Kahla Garris provide a lot of depth at the guard spot.
Lynchburg
After
a heartbreaking loss kept them out of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference
tournament, Lynchburg is looking to return in 2002-2003. Fourth-year head
coach Richie Waggoner hopes that a strong nucleus and promising newcomers
will bring the team back to the conference tournament.
LC finished the 2001-2002 season with an 8-17 record, including a 6-14 mark in the ODAC. In their final game at Roanoke with a chance to advance to the playoffs, a 72-66 overtime loss sent the Hornets home one game shy of a tournament berth.
Starters Erika Whitten and Abby Pyzik both return after solid 2001-2002 seasons. Whitten, a 6-1 senior center, was strong on both sides of the court, leading the squad in both offensive (80) and defensive (121) rebounds, averaging 8.0 total per game, while posting 47 blocks and 39 steals. Pyzik, a junior guard, led the team in steals (47), assists (93) and total points (245), averaging 9.8 points per game.
Senior 6-0 post player Johari Bass was lost for the season after suffering a knee injury in just the fifth game of the season, but should return to her pre-injury form. In her five games last season, Bass averaged 9.2 points and 8.8 rebounds while swatting five shots. Also returning to the Hornets’ roster is sophomore guard Shannon Newton and junior forward Whitney Yates. Newton played in all 25 games and averaged 3.7 points per game, while Yates appeared in 23 contests and averaged 3.4 points per game. Returnees Tracy Kraut, Mary Jean Grothe and Jessica Jackson, and freshmen Meagan Shaner and Sarah Smoak will all compete for time in the back court.
Building around Pyzik and seniors Bass and Whitten, Waggoner brought in a strong freshman class. Amanda Campbell could start at point guard, moving Pyzik to shooting guard. Lacey Currle, Lori Fletcher, Lauren McBrearty and Lindsay McKinney, each 5-10 freshmen, and 5-10 sophomore Ashley Full will provide depth in the Hornet front court. Currle and Fletcher could also compete for starting spots immediately.
If the returnees and freshmen meet expectations, the Hornets could be a dangerous team in the ODAC tournament. Waggoner has three new faces beside him on the bench, assistant coaches Warner Dyke, Lauren Hedden – last year’s co-captain – and Brian Puckett. The Hornets will open the season by hosting the Lynchburg College Tip-Off Tournament on November 22 and 23, featuring Averett, Ferrum and Roanoke.
Randolph-Macon
The
first task for Randolph-Macon 21st-year head coach Carroll LaHaye in 2002-03
will be to replace the leadership of three players lost to graduation
this past May. Forward Meredith Roberts was the team’s leading scorer
and rebounder last season, a 1,000-point scorer for her career, and a
two-time all-Old Dominion Athletic Conference selection. Guard Megan Mariani
led the Yellow Jackets in assists and was second in steals last year.
Guard Lindsay Thomas contributed off the bench.
Senior guard Allison King will look to fill one of those leadership roles in her final campaign. She was the team’s second-leading scorer (11.9 ppg) and rebounder (6.5 rpg) last season.
Junior forward Sarah Crider also averaged double-digit points last year, at 10.8 per game. Her sister, sophomore center Emily Crider, was slowed by injuries early in the season. However, she managed to contribute 8.0 points and a team-leading 1.9 blocked shots per contest in 21 games.
Senior Lindsay Carroll hopes to be a leader in the backcourt this season. She checked in at 7.1 points per contest in 2001-02, led the Yellow Jackets in steals (2.4 spg), and was second in assists (2.9 apg).
A third senior, forward Cristin Ethridge, will look to contribute in the frontcourt. Junior forward Shannon Wighington and sophomore guards Jennie Carter and Tiffany Fitzgerald will also provide experience and leadership.
All four freshmen have a chance to contribute this season. Guard Megan Silva and forwards Megan Senske, Amanda Morris, and Michelle Orton will all compete for playing time.
Randolph-Macon
Woman's
Fifth-year
head coach Melissa Wiggins looks to turn the Randolph-Macon Woman’s
College program around this season. The WildCats return with eight letter
winners and all five starters from last season. Wiggins will rely on the
experience of the returning players to guide a talented, eight-member
freshman class.
The WildCats enter this season with the bulk of the team very young. Post player Melissa Wadford is the team’s only senior. Wadford’s strong work ethic and leadership will make her a solid role model for the young post players. The junior class, lead by two-sport athletes Amy Dameron and Morgan Greene and backcourt specialist, Dana Ford, will also be expected to provide leadership for the young WildCat squad. The sophomore class returns with a wealth of playing experience. Amanda Workman and Vanessa Sufrin will be defending the paint and looking to use their strength inside on offense. Workman and Sufrin are joined by the backcourt pair of Sadiqa Westry and Lyndsey Pelham. Both Westry and Pelham played significant minutes as freshmen. Wiggins expects the experience to pay off this season.
The eight-member first-year class, consisting of three post players and five guards, is one of the largest in R-MWC basketball history. Wiggins has tapped Virginia for the majority of the class. Two of the three guards come from Fredericksburg, Virginia. Rebecca Johnsen comes to R-MWC from Stafford High School where she was the starting point guard for a successful team. Rebecca Minter, hailing from Chancellor High School, will join Johnsen in the backcourt. Both guards bring to R-MWC much needed speed and ball handling skills. Megan Bloomer is a 3-point threat with versatile guard skills. Her strength and talent will help lift and distribute the ball handling duties of the other guards. The remainder of the first-year class includes three post players and two guards.
Katie Gumm is from Iowa and brings athleticism and speed in the post. Meghan Stensrud, Jenny Prewitt, and Jen and Kristin Leonard round out the class. Both Stensrud and Prewitt are excellent post players. Stensrud played for Fairfax High School and was a member of the Vogues AAU team. Prewitt was selected as a state all-star and participated in the East-West All-Star game in Hampton this past July. Gumm, Stensrud, and Prewitt bring size, strength, and skill to the WildCat frontcourt. Jen and Kristin Leonard, from Liberty High School, bring additional ball handling, scoring, and defensive prowess to the WildCats.
Roanoke
The
Kingston Trio asked, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” Roanoke
head coach Susan Dunagan may ask, “Where Has All the Scoring Gone?”
Dunagan, her coaching staff, and the Maroon players hope to find a solution to remedy an offense that, in 2001-02, had its lowest production in more than 10 years. The Maroons averaged 66.4 points a game last season, only the second time since 1990-91 that it had dipped below 70 points a game. On the bright side, however, the Maroons do return nearly 70% of the scoring from last season. In the loss of center Crystal Barrett alone, the Maroons lost over 20% of their scoring last season and perhaps more devastating lose almost 30% of their rebounding total. The Maroons will look to several players to replace Barrett, who finished her career as the team’s all-time leading rebounder and 11th leading scorer.
A large portion of the scoring load will fall on the shoulders of senior guard Katrina Williams, sho as a junior averaged 16.0 points and 5.0 assists per game. Williams, a top candidate for ODAC Player of the Year honors, also is a key to the defensive effort, leading the team in steals in each of the past two seasons.
Offensively, the Maroons will count on Meredith Evans, Liz Sloop, Kayce Smith, and Jenny Schafer to help fill in for the points lost from last season. Evans emerged as a strong perimeter threat for the Maroons last season, hitting the second most threes on the team, and with that experience is expected to make a bigger contribution this year. Dunagan will look to Sloop to become a more consistent offensive threat, that coming after she finished third in the scoring column one season past. Schafer and Smith were both freshmen a season ago and as sophomores in 2002-03 should have a more profound affect on the team’s success. Schafer probably will be the direct replacement for Barrett, competing for the starting center spot. Adjusted to the collegiate game, Schafer is a multi-talented threat in the paint. Smith’s athleticism and understanding of the game will lead to increased time. However, she must become more comfortable on the court and with that should be a threat to average double-digits in the scoring column. Annie Roehm and Chandra Forrester will both help spell Sloop and Schafer in the post
With the limited frontcourt roster, Dunagan’s coaching staff will rely on the guards to be the key to winning some games this season. Sarah Grimes, Megan McCue, and Michelle Ely all have been major contributors in the past and will be again this year. Grimes and McCue will again both compete for starting time, both started six games last year, while Ely will be important coming off the bench, providing a perimeter threat.
Freshmen Veronica Kelly, LeeAnn Woodley, and Lindsay Reynolds come to Salem for their first season with the Maroon program and will help the team in a variety of ways.
Washington
& Lee
The
2002-2003 women’s basketball season will prove to be one of transition
for Washington and Lee. Gone is last year’s coach. Graduated are
five of the 11 players on last year’s roster — including one
recognized as the ODAC Player of the Year and another who was selected
as a Second Team All-ODAC performer.
Last season’s assistant coach, Bryan Snyder, who also serves as W&L’s head volleyball coach, has been elevated to interim coach. His first and foremost task will be to develop an individual or group of individuals to step into the frontcourt breach created by the graduation of the two leading scorers and rebounders in program history, Jessica Mentz and Megan Babst.
With the offense run almost exclusively through Babst and Mentz last season, Snyder’s five returning players will have a greater opportunity to showcase their abilities. Hence, he hopes that there will be several pleasant surprises among the roster.
The Generals welcome back two starters, sophomore forward Emily Barker and sophomore point guard Bethany Dannelly. Barker is the leading scorer and rebounder among the returnees, with averages of 6.2 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. Without having Mentz and Babst to bank on, Snyder will be counting on increased productivity from Barker, who is also a member of the soccer and lacrosse teams. Barker showed flashes of her potential against Randolph-Macon (14 points, four rebounds) and Greensboro (13 points, six rebounds, three assists).
With a year of experience, Dannelly, who established a school-record in leading the team in assists with 152, will look to improve upon her averages of 3.7 points per game and 2.8 rebounds per game, while also cutting down on her turnovers (165). In addition to her single-season mark for assists, she also set a new standard for assists in a game with 11 in a 62-37 win against Lynchburg.
The Generals are captained by senior guard Elizabeth Igo and fellow senior, forward Austin Calhoun. Together, the two will look to provide exemplary leadership on the court, and seek to increase upon their combined averages of 1.5 points per game and 3.2 rebounds per game.
Also available to Snyder are junior guard Heather Coleman (0.6 ppg and 0.5 rpg) and four first-year players whom he will heavily rely upon. The new additions are freshmen Ashley Brown (guard), Louisa Feve (guard/forward) and Sarah Williamson (guard). Harrell is stepping onto the court for the first time in two years after earning two letters in high school at Archbishop Carroll, while Feve was a first team all-county selection. Brown and Williamson, who are both members of the W&L cross country team, will join the team upon completion of the fall season.
“We’re going to look to do a few different things than we’ve done in the past,” said Snyder. “We’re trying to lay the foundation this year for future successes in the program.”
Christopher
Newport
Although
the Lady Captains are coming off the second-best season in program history
with a record of 24-5, head coach Carolyn Hunter believes the Lady Captains
must continue to improve as a team in every aspect of the game.
Hunter will return four of five starters from last season. The only loss was guard Cherri Phillips who was second on the squad with 92 assists.
The four returning starters include senior forward Tia Moore, junior center Amber Hallman, junior guard/forward Tomorrow Lofton, and senior shooting guard Jen Harrell.
Moore, a First Team All-Dixie Conference performer in 2001-2002, led the team in points, averaging 14.6 points per game. Her 8.3 rebounds per contest also led the squad.
In 2001, Moore was also named to the Dixie Conference's All-Tournament Team as well as First Team All-State.
Moore is a former Rookie and Co-Player of the Year. She is a solid player with a great deal of game experience. Moore will shoulder a lot of responsibility for the inside game. Hunter would like to see her increase her scoring production and provide senior leadership.
Also returning is 6-1 junior center Amber Hallman. Hallman, a First Team All-Dixie Conference selection in 2001-2002, set a school record last season with 93 blocks. Hallman was the team's third leading scorer with 11.3 points per contest and the team's second leading rebounder averaging 7.7 rebounds per game.
Hunter believes Hallman should be much more comfortable in her system after one year of experience.
Lofton, a 5-9 guard/forward, has also had one year experience in Hunter's system and should feel more confident on the court. She is very versatile and strong enough to play any position on the floor. Lofton, who played point guard last season, will also see time at the wing position, which is her more natural position.
The final starter returning is 5-10 shooting guard Jen Harrell. Harrell, a senior, started at shooting guard last season. Harrell provided key shots at different times throughout last season. She was also one of CNU's top defensive players. Her defensive intensity in the Lady Captains' press was very important.
Hunter expects Harrell to continue to improve her defensive effort and shooting consistency. Jen's senior leadership will also be important this season.
Also returning this season are sophomores Chazzy Morris and Jessica Geter.
Morris, a power forward, made an immediate impact last season. She came off the bench and played significant minutes at the power forward position. Hunter believes she will take her game to another level this year.
Also returning is 6-0 center Jessica Geter. Geter played sparingly as a freshman. She spent most of last season developing her skills at the center position. Hunter hopes Geter will provide the needed depth at the center position.
Coach Hunter has also brought in four newcomers this year. Dietra Jefferson, a 5-6 guard from Herndon (Va.) High School, Nikkia Davis, a 5-5 guard from Jamestown High School in Williamsburg, Va., Heidi Miller, a 5-6 guard from Gettysburg (Pa.) High School and Christina Kennedy, a 5-8 forward from Lower Cape May High School in Cape May, N.J.
Jefferson has good quickness and ballhandling skills. Jefferson has the potential of becoming a very good floor leader. She is a strong player who knows the game. She is an intense competitor who has a great deal of confidence in her ability.
Davis will push for time at the point guard position. Davis handles the ball well and has good passing and shooting skills. She has the ability to shoot from long range and penetrate to the basket. She will also see time at the shooting guard position.
Miller will also see time at the shooting guard position. She is a good mid-range shooter and has a shooter's mentality. She has good quickness to get by her defender or to get out on the fastbreak. She has the right attitude and the work ethic to be a very good player. Kennedy will give the Lady Captains added depth at the post positions. She is a very good defensive player and she will be counted on to help CNU improve its defensive effort. She is a hard wooker with great potential.
The Lady Captains want to be a stronger defensive team this season. On offense, look for them to be more consistent. With the experience and talent of the four starters returning this season, the expectations are high. Hunter believes it will take every player on the squad contributing their very best in order for the Lady Captains to be successful this season.
CNU has reached the NCAA Tournament two seasons in a row under Hunter. In 2000-2001, the Lady Captains won the Dixie Conference Tournament and lost in the first round. In 2001-2002, they lost in the Dixie Conference Tournament, received an at-large bid, hosted their first home NCAA Tournament game in the Freeman Center where they defeated Hood and then traveled to Marymount to lose a game to the Final Four-bound Saints.
Look for the Lady Captains to be making some noise in the Freeman Center in 2002-2003.
Methodist
The 2001-2002
season was a banner campaign for the Methodist Monarch women’s basketball
team. The Monarchs finished 17-12 overall and 10-4 in the Dixie Conference.
However, it was a the postseason where Methodist made its mark by winning
the DIAC Tournament and advancing to the NCAA Division III Tournament
for the first time in the program’s history.
Can the Monarchs repeat that success in 2002-03? Head coach DeeDee Jarman believes it’s a possibility.
Although Methodist lost four starters to graduation, the Monarchs have numerous returning players that played key roles as reserves. Add to that is a more athletic, transition-style team for the 2002-03 season.
"Losing four starters is a big hole to fill, but we have the people that can fill those holes well," said Jarman, 90-45 in five seasons at the Methodist helm. "It will be a different look for us with the talent on hand compared to the past seasons. We will be more an up-tempo team, and that means setting the tempo."
Gone from last season include All-DIAC guard Jennifer Neal and DIAC Tournament Most Valuable Player Kelly Holland, plus center Melody Dark and forward LaQuita Tuttle. However, the lone starter returning is sophomore point guard Christen Snyder. As a freshman, Snyder came into her own, averaging five points and three rebounds a game with 85 assists. Freshman Doris Richards will provide quality depth at the point.
"She (Snyder) is our coach on the court," Jarman said. "She runs the offense and gets the players where they need to be. That’s normal with any point guard."
Holland nailed 42 3-point baskets last season, while Neal dished out 72 assists, and they will be a tough act to follow on the wing. However, Jarman is confident with juniors Stacy Holland and Jennifer Dollyhigh stepping up and getting the job done on the perimeter.
The 5-6 Holland, the younger sister of Kelly Holland, averaged four points and shot 33% from the field, while Dollyhigh returns after redshirting last season. As a sophomore in the 2000-01 season, the 5-5 Dollyhigh averaged eight points and recorded 52 steals. Sophomore Lauren Maloney brings needed experience off the bench at wing, while newcomers Lexi Roegiers-Jensen and Ashley Smith bring quickness and athleticism to the perimeter.
"Stacy has a little more range shooting from the perimeter, while Jennifer is one of our better defenders," Jarman said. "They both know the game well as far as looking for each other on the court, as well as the other players."
Tuttle and Dark were each staunch defenders in the post, with Dark recording 64 blocked shots and Tuttle recording 42 steals. However, don’t expect a huge drop off in the level of the post play for Methodist with senior forward Brandy McCollum, sophomore forward LaTasha Watlington and junior center Meg Coe back in the mix.
The 5-11 Watlington is one of the more versatile players for Methodist. She averaged seven points and four rebounds a game as the Monarchs’ first player off the bench last season. McCollum (5-10), who has been slowed by an injury in preseason practice, averaged six points and five rebounds in 28 games last season, while the 6-1 Coe battled through continuous injuries to average four points and four rebounds a game while shooting 79% from the free-throw line.
Methodist needs good depth in the post, and Jarman expects that from junior Allison Compton and freshmen Sheena Harriott and Monica Cheek.
"With Tasha being so versatile, she can help us both inside and outside," Jarman said. "Meg has come a long way in the post and she continues to improve. We need her to stay healthy. McCollum is a rebounder and an athletic individual. With her in there, the post play has good chemistry."
Methodist was picked third in the preseason DIAC poll behind Christopher Newport and Ferrum. The Monarchs open the 2002 season on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 22-23 at the Coca-Cola Tip-Off Classic at Randolph-Macon. Methodist’s home opener is Nov. 26 against Peace.
"We’re capable of finishing in the top four to the top two in the DIAC," Jarman said. "It’s a new look and we’re trying to play at a faster pace. We’re still trying to come together and learn each other, but we’re right where we need to be at the moment."
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2001-02
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