THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 10, 1996 TAG: 9609100421
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY VICKI L. FRIEDMAN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 38 lines
A national champion, a Final Four participant and an invitational tournament with an impressive field highlight the Old Dominion home women's basketball schedule, announced Monday by athletic director Jim Jarrett.
The Lady Monarchs, 29-3 last season and ranked sixth nationally, open the season Nov. 15 at the field house with the first round of the women's preseason NIT against George Washington. If ODU wins that game and its next against either North Carolina State or Appalachian State, the Lady Monarchs will host the tournament's semifinals and finals Nov. 19 and 20 at Scope. Other teams in the tournament include national champion Tennessee, Iowa, La. Tech and Kansas.
On the heels of that tournament, ODU hosts another - its own Dial Classic Nov. 23 and 24. ODU meets Indiana State with the winner to play either California or Wake Forest. Marianne Stanley, who coached the Lady Monarchs to three national titles, now coaches the Bears.
After a home date with Miami, the Lady Monarchs embark on another tournament in Richmond, which includes an opener against ACC runner-up Duke.
ODU also meets Final Four participant Stanford and Tennessee at home, while playing games at Rutgers and Purdue.
``Old Dominion will play the best non-conference schedule in NCAA Division I,'' Jarrett said.
The CAA season begins Jan. 3 against Richmond. This year's CAA tournament will be held Feb. 26 to March 2 at the Richmond Coliseum. ODU won its fifth straight CAA crown last season without losing a conference game.
The Lady Monarchs return four starters from last year's team that advanced to the NCAA's Sweet 16 and fell to Virginia.
Back for ODU is CAA Player of the Year Ticha Penicheiro, CAA Tournament MVP Clarisse Machanguana and conference Rookie of the Year Mery Andrade along with Nyree Roberts, who led the league in blocks.
Season tickets and tickets for the NWIT are available by calling the athletic ticket office at 683-4444. by CNB