MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University women’s basketball team officially opens the 2014-15 season in the annual Haunted Hoops exhibition game presented by Coke Zero. The Mountaineers tip-off against Wheeling Jesuit at 7 p.m. on Friday evening.
The Associated Press unveiled its preseason Top 25 on Thursday, tabbing the Mountaineers No. 17. WVU is coming off a school-best 30-5 record, while also claiming a share of the Big 12 Conference regular season title. The Mountaineers also set a program record with their fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. WVU has made 10 postseason appearances in the last 11 years.
West Virginia returns three starters from last year’s squad, including Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year Bria Holmes. Holmes was a unanimous All-Big 12 First Team selection last year in leading the Mountaineers to a share of their first Big 12 women’s basketball regular season title. She was also an Associated Press All-American honorable mention, as well as a Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team honoree. Earlier this month, Lindy’s Magazine tabbed the New Haven, Connecticut native a First Team Preseason All-American.
Forward Averee Fields returns after starting 34-of-35 games last season. The senior boasted 7.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Linda Stepney, a native of Norfolk, Virginia, returns at the point guard position. Last season, Stepney handed out a team-leading 107 assists and averaged 5.1 points per contest.
Senior forward Crystal Leary is expected to be a key contributor this year after pulling in 3.7 rebounds and 2.9 points a contest last year. Lanay Montgomery participated in 24 contests last year and is expected to have an elevated role after the graduation of Asya Bussie.
The Mountaineers have five newcomers that will don the Old Gold and Blue uniform for the first time. WVU welcomes two junior college transfers in Kayla Montgomery (Gulf Coast State) and Jessica Morton (Gulf Coast State). A trio of freshmen are on this year’s roster with guards Dominique Simpson and Tyara Warren and a forward Teana Muldrow.
Wheeling Jesuit returns nine players from a team that completed a record of 15-13, the best since the 2006-07 season.
Haunted Hoops presented by Coke Zero is a Halloween-themed first look at the 2014-15 WVU women’s basketball team. The evening’s events will include trunk or treat starting at 5:30 p.m. The event will take place in the Shell Building due to the anticipated inclement weather on Friday. Several children’s activities in the concourse, a highlight video of last season and performances from the cheerleaders and dance team are some of the events that will take place.
The event is free and open to the public. WVU Coliseum gates open at 5:30 p.m., and fans are encouraged to wear their Halloween costume. The exhibition game will air live on the Mountaineer Sports Network at IMG with Jeff Culhane on the call. A free stream will also be available online at WVUsports.com.
