Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 9, 1995 TAG: 9503090049
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
When the Metro Conference women's tournament started Wednesday in Louisville, Ky., the Hokies were happy with the role reversal.
``When you're the hunted, it means you must be doing something right,'' said Carol Alfano, Tech's coach.
The Hokies (21-7) enter the tournament as the No.1 seed after capturing their first Metro regular-season crown.
``I think we're comfortable with the role,'' Alfano said. ``Now we're the team with the big target on our back. And know what? We sort of like that.''
As the top seed, Tech had the luxury of a bye in the first round at Louisville's Commonwealth Convention Center. Tech will meet fourth-seeded Southern Mississippi (19-8), a 72-55 winner over fifth-seeded Virginia Commonwealth (19-8) in today's 2 p.m. semifinal.
In Wednesday's other first-round pairings, No.2 Tulane (19-8) defeated No.7 South Florida 67-62 and No.3 Louisville (23-6) ousted No.6 UNC Charlotte (13-12). The semifinals are today at the Commonwealth Convention Center, and the final is 9:30 p.m. Friday at Freedom Hall.
Tech will be gunning for its second consecutive Metro tournament championship. The Hokies upset Southern Miss in the final last year in Biloxi, Miss.
This time, the pressure on the Hokies won't be nearly as great. Alfano's club already figures to have a lock on its second consecutive NCAA Tournament bid, no matter what happens in Louisville.
``I think we're in'' the NCAA Tournament, Alfano said. ``I don't know how we could be left out.''
Alfano's optimism is fueled by a huge victory over ninth-ranked Virginia on Jan.13. Tech was rewarded with its first Top 25 ranking (No.23 in coaches' poll and No.25 in The Associated Press poll) on Jan.24.
``Being picked No.1 in the Metro in the preseason, there was a lot of pressure,'' Alfano said. ``But we made it through a long season without stubbing our toes too many times.
``Due to that, we're not under as much pressure as last year in the Metro tournament. Last year, we felt like we had to get to the final to make the NCAA. That's not necessarily the case this time.''
If experience counts, Tech should win. The Hokies start four seniors, the major part of a cast that has elevated the program to another level.
Tech split with Southern Miss during the regular season.
``Southern Miss is an up-tempo club that likes to press,'' Alfano said.
TECH TIDBITS: Jenny Root needs six rebounds to surpass Renee Dennis (1983-87) as the school's all-time leader. The 6-foot-3 senior center has collected 787 rebounds in her career. ... Senior forward Christi Osborne will make her 104th consecutive start tonight. She has played in all 114 games she has been eligible at Tech, averaging 32.8 minutes per game. She has fouled out of a game only once. ... Junior Terri Garland of Dublin, the only non-senior in the starting lineup, has 105 assists in her first season as the Hokies' starting point guard. She averaged 4.8 assists in Metro games, third best in the league.
by CNB