|
Preseason Publicity Pours In For Commodores 9-23-04 9/23/2004 Women’s Basketball Team Ranked in Top 15 by Two Publications NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Vanderbilt women’s basketball team was ranked in the nation’s top 15 in preseason polls released this week by Lindy’s and Athlon Sports. In Lindy’s, the Commodores came in at No. 10, while Athlon gave VU a No. 13 ranking. Head Coach Melanie Balcomb enters her third season at the helm of the Commodores on the heels of a 25-7 campaign that included Vanderbilt’s fourth SEC Tournament Championship and a trip to the NCAA Sweet 16. The Dores return 10 letterwinners from last year’s squad, including a trio of starters. Sophomore forward Carla Thomas (10.0 ppg), the Most Valuable Player of the SEC Tournament as a freshman, will be the centerpiece of the Commodore attack after showing signs of brilliance during the second half of the 2003-04 season. Senior guard Abi Ramsey (13.2 ppg), an explosive outside shooter, provides a strong complement to Thomas’ presence inside. The one-two punch of Ramsey and Thomas is surrounded by an extremely talented cast. Senior forward Ashley Earley (11.5 ppg), the team’s leading rebounder a year ago (6.7 rpg), provides another solid presence on the inside. Sophomore guards Dee Davis (5.3 ppg, 4.7 apg) and Katie Antony (3.7 ppg) combined for 37 starts in the Commodore backcourt last season and are expected to fill out VU’s impressive starting lineup this year. Vanderbilt opens preseason camp in approximately three weeks and will begin its exhibition schedule on Nov. 2 when the Ohio Legends visit Memorial Gymnasium at 7 p.m. CT. The Commodores will open the regular season on Nov. 19 when St. Francis comes to the Music City for a 6 p.m. tipoff. The Commodores play host to seven non-conference opponents through a Jan. 6 matchup with North Carolina State. VU’s home conference schedule includes regionally televised meetings with Tennessee (Jan. 16) and LSU (Jan. 23) — both picked in the nation’s top five in preseason polls. Season tickets are available for the entire 2004-05 slate, which includes a total 14 regular season home games, by visiting the ticket office inside the McGugin Center, calling 615-322-GOLD (322-4653) or logging on to Vanderbilt’s ticketing web site. Lindy’s and Athlon Sports’ college basketball magazines are available on newsstands now. For more information, visit their respective web sites: Lindy’s & Athlon. |
