DATE: Sunday, March 30, 1997                TAG: 9703300075

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: GUY FRIDDELL

                                            LENGTH:   54 lines

LADY MONARCHS EARN WIN WITH SCRAPPINESS

Out-rebounding, out-hounding, out-scratching Stanford, the queenly Lady Monarchs fought with the tenacity of alley cats Friday to win in overtime, 83-82, the right to face Tennessee tonight at 8:30 in the finals of the National College Athletic Association tournament. Thus it has been through three rounds.

Rated underdogs by seven points Friday, they trailed by 15 in the first half. It took the heart out of some fans, including this one - Oh, me of little faith! - who left to walk the dog, and, returning, found them only two points behind.

From what reservoir do they draw strength?

A moderately large but fierce band of fans - many graying - follow them through the season. Their intensity makes up for apathy among some students unaware of the heroines in their midst.

(TV commentators call them the ``mighty Monarchs'' and ``mighty Old Dominion,'' awarding recognition that reflects credit on the university, the region, the state.)

Their faith in themselves is evident in quick huddles on the floor and the way, when one errs, others swarm around to hearten her.

Coach Wendy Larry, dark-eyed, serene, seems ever confident. To other coaches, her unshakeable composure must make her appear as a maddening, smiling Mona Lisa whose face never betrays a shadow.

She has a secret. Her girls are going to win, no matter what.

At halftime, Larry instructs her graceful players on what needs to be done; they go out and do it.

She tells tall Clarisse Machanguana to exploit the open free-throw area. Her wiry, dainty charge, scoreless in the first half while scrapping for rebounds, responds with 18 points.

A play that summed ODU's relentlessness occurred when Ticha Penicheiro missed a layup but, a swallow swooping down the court, stole the ball. When Mery Andrade and Nyree Roberts fouled out, reserves Natalie Diaz and Amber Eller stepped up.

In early going, Stanford played smoothly. Their star, well-named Kate Starbird, needed only a quick open look to sink the ball and the spirits of ODU fans.

In a constant scramble, seeming at times to be a playground five, ODU mounted an offensive defense, grinding down the foe, forcing them into 29 turnovers.

In the last seconds, needing only one basket to win, Stanford's players missed three shots.

ODU was lucky, but luck is a bonus for frenzied, unremitting work. If they are destiny's darlings, they earned her blessing.

Tuesday night a tepid turnout of 300 greeted the team after it beat Florida. Whether they win or lose tonight, more especially if they lose, this community should come out to express its pride in the brave, home-coming Monarchs.

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