THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 23, 1996 TAG: 9602230591
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY VICKI L. FRIEDMAN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
Old Dominion sophomore Amber Eller went through a full practice Wednesday after missing last weekend's games against Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth.
Eller sustained a ruptured inner membrane to her left ear last week. Lifting weights, she became dizzy and ended up at the hospital for a spinal tap.
``I was really scared,'' Eller said. ``I started thinking about all the things that have happened to basketball players lately, and I thought `Oh my God, not me.' ''
Eller left the hospital a week ago and could see her first action tonight at UNC-Wilmington.
SUBSTITUTE POINT: With Eller missing last weekend's games, senior Shonda Deberry shared point-guard duties with Ticha Penicheiro. Sunday against VCU, Deberry had her first double-double of the season, 20 points and 13 rebounds. And just as significant: one turnover.
``It's different because I'm handling the ball a lot more than at the two-guard position,'' Deberry said. ``Sometimes I'll forget what position I'm at going down the court,'' she says with a laugh.
Thirteen rebounds was a career high for Deberry and impressive, as she's the shortest player on the team at 5-foot-8.
IN THE STANDS: Sarah Willyerd's high school coach, Kathy McGee, and a bunch of other faculty members from Powers Catholic High cheered the senior on last weekend in a pair of games at the field house. The group from Flint, Mich., watched as Willyerd only scored two free throws Friday against Richmond.
``It's just great to be here,'' McGee said of the four-year varsity starter. ``Sarah was always a scrappy player. She made everyone around her look good.''
Willyerd, who works camps back at her high school every summer, said against Richmond she hadn't played with as much heart as her friends back home were used to seeing.
``They gave me a little pep talk and it kind of turned things around,'' said Willyerd, who made a pair of 3-pointers two days later. ``They like to see that side of me better instead of the laid-back, go-with-the-flow side because that's not really my personality. I like to step out there and do things.''
CAA TOURNEY: The Lady Monarchs, who are looking to repeat as five-time conference champions, will host next month's tournament, from March 6 to 9. Ticket books are on sale now at the ODU athletic ticket office. The cost: $15 for eight games.
LIEBERMAN-CLINE TO SPEAK: Nancy Lieberman-Cline, the former ODU All-American who will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in May, will be the keynote speaker for this year's awards banquet March 5 at the Omni Waterside Hotel at 7 p.m. The banquet includes honors for coach of the year, player of the year and All-CAA squad. Tickets are $25 and must be purchased by March 1. Call 683-4444. ILLUSTRATION: GAMEWATCH
[For a copy of the graphic, see microfilm.]
by CNB