WBB Notebook: One Week in the Books
October 16, 2014 05:36 PM | General
West Virginia women’s basketball wrapped up its first week of preseason practice. The Mountaineers are nearly two weeks away from the team’s annual Haunted Hoops game and just 30 days away from the regular-season opener against Eastern Kentucky. These are just a few of the headlines in this week’s women’s basketball notebook.
HAUNTED HOOPS
Mountaineer fans can get a first glimpse of the 2014-15 squad on Friday, Oct. 31 at the annual Haunted Hoops game presented by Coke Zero. Admission is free and open to the public as WVU hosts Wheeling Jesuit in a 7 p.m. exhibition game.
The evening will begin in the Coliseum parking lot at 5:30 p.m. with Trunk or Treat sponsored by the Institute of Industrial Engineers. Trunk or Treat is an opportunity for kids dressed in their Halloween costumes to receive candy from various registered student organizations out of trunks of their respective cars. Those wishing to participate should bring a clear grocery bag to fill with goodies.
WVU Coliseum gates open at 6 p.m. and fans are encouraged to wear their Halloween costume.
IMPLEMENTING A NEW SYSTEM
With seven new faces on the floor for the first time, Coach Mike Carey and his staff are taking a precautious approach to making sure that his seven newcomers are familiar with his system.
This year, the Mountaineers feature three junior college transfers (Abigail Asoro, Kayla Montgomery and Jessica Morton), three freshmen (Teana Muldrow, Dominique Simpson and Tyara Warren) and a Division I transfer (Bre McDonald).
“We are really starting all over with a lot of new players,” noted Carey. “We’re having to break down more and take more time and all that. I really don’t see us having much in the start of the season as we normally do. I’m the type of person, if we are not doing it well, we’re not going to keep adding.”
MAKING PROGRESS
Despite the influx of newcomers, Coach Carey has seen a steady improvement from the squad during the first week of practice. He was particularly pleased with the team’s work and effort on Wednesday.
“I thought yesterday was the first day where we really got better,” said Carey. “I saw improvements in areas that I haven’t seen in a while. I felt like the players felt more comfortable. Everything is new to a lot of them. They are giving us good effort. They are starting to understand what we want and don’t want.”
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Season tickets for the 2014-15 West Virginia women’s basketball season are now on sale at the Mountaineer Ticket Office.
For $70 each, fans can purchase a lower level reserved seat in the WVU Coliseum that includes a parking pass valid for priority parking for all four of the Big 12 Conference game weekends. WVU faculty and staff can purchase tickets at a discounted rate of $56. General admission season tickets are available for $40 each, and Flex Plan packages also are available this season for $20 each. A flex plan package provides 10 general admission tickets to use at the games of your choice. A limited amount of courtside season tickets are available for $150.
To order 2014-15 women’s basketball season tickets, visit WVUGAME.com, call 1-800-WVU GAME or stop by the Mountaineer Ticket Office in the WVU Coliseum.
TAKING A LEADERSHIP ROLE
It’s not easy replacing WNBA Draft pick and two-time All-American Honorable Mention Asya Bussie. However, sophomore center Lanay Montgomery has relished the role and is becoming the much-needed inside presence for the Mountaineers this season.
“I am looking forward to it,” said Montgomery, a Pittsburgh native. “It is big shoes for me to fill. I am excited. [Asya] is still here helping us. I still talk to her. She has told me a lot of pointers that have helped me out a lot in practice. I felt like I’ve grown a lot over the past few months. I have put in a lot of work this summer. I am ready to take on that role in helping this team out in doing what I have to do to make sure we have a good season again this year.”
Gold-Blue Spring Festival Fan Recap
Sunday, April 19
John Neider | April 18
Saturday, April 18
Coach Zac Alley | April 18
Saturday, April 18
Coach Rich Rodriguez | April 18
Saturday, April 18
