Women's Basketball Notebook
March 19, 2010 10:30 PM | General
March 19, 2010
AUSTIN, Texas – The West Virginia women's basketball team will look to make its biggest splash in the NCAA Tournament yet when they start the 2010 version this season. The Mountaineers have made the tournament five times, but have had four second round exits and one first round loss.
The Mountaineers will have to use their talent, rather than experience against Lamar to defeat the Lady Cardinals. Only three WVU players have seen NCAA Tournament action and only two in a Mountaineer uniform. Junior Liz Repella has only played seven minutes in two games, while junior Sarah Miles played one minute in a 2008 loss to Vanderbilt.
Junior Korinne Campbell played 26 minutes in a loss to Texas as a member of Minnesota in 2008. Campbell finished the game with three points.
No. 14-seeded Lamar, is coming off a Southland Conference league title and are coached by Larry Tidwell. Tidwell is known for his recruiting of transfer students and is led by Oklahoma transfer, Jenna Plumley. Plumley won the conference's player of the year and newcomer of the year. She also set a conference record for 3-pointers in a season with 97 and broke the Lamar assists record with 196. She ranks in the top 10 nationally in both categories. Plumley averages 14.4 points per game.
As a member of Oklahoma, Plumley played four games in Austin at the Erwin Center. Her best game in the building was in a NCAA Tournament win over Southeast Missouri State in 2007. Plumley finished the game with 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting.
Southland Conference Tournament MVP Darika Hill also is a key member of the Lady Cardinals averaging 13.4 points per game and 6.9 rebounds.
Briefly:
This is familiar territory as the team was a No. 5 seed two seasons ago and was forced to face No. 12 seed New Mexico on their home court. Fortunately, West Virginia won that game by a score of 61-60.
“I figured that we would be a No. 3 seed, but I am very disappointed that once again we may have to play a team on their home court,” Carey said. “Of course we have to win the first game first. We have to get by Lamar and then if we do that and Texas wins, there is a possibility that could be the matchup in the second round, and I am very disappointed we have to play on somebody’s home court.”
“It is a great place, a great town and venue; you just don’t want to play the home team on their floor,” Carey said. “I would like for them to come play us here in Morgantown, but that isn’t going to happen. They put on a great tournament that is very well run and very professional. There is no doubt our girls will enjoy it regardless.”
