THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 23, 1994 TAG: 9410200171
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 27 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
In the middle of last week's ``Midnight Madness'' program at Elizabeth City State University, the women's basketball team, which seems to have been rebuilding for years, also got to strut their stuff.
New head coach Vanessa Taylor made it clear that the era of ``disrespect'' for the Lady Vikings is over. ``We're excited about the season. A lot of new players are out and all of our starters from last year are back,'' she said. ``I'm very hopeful that maybe we'll be a Cinderella team.''
Taylor comes from one of the CIAA's most successful women's basketball programs. As an assistant coach at Hampton University, the Lady Pirates were 22-7 last year, claiming the CIAA championship. Taylor replaces Wanda Crump who had a losing record in two seasons at ECSU.
Back from last year's team are Karen Watkins, Tracy Elliott, Joan Sharpe and Denisa Edwards. ``I'm looking for big things out of that group,'' Taylor said.
``We're in the process of building,'' Taylor added. ``My goals are for the players to have a good attitude, focus on their studies, get to know each other better, and work hard.''
The Lady Vikings open their season at home on Nov. 22 against Winston-Salem State. by CNB