Friday, November 8
Clemson, S.C.
4:00 p.m.
Davidson College Athletics
at
Clemson
Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com
Davidson Travels to Clemson to Begin 2013-14 Season
11/6/2013 4:07:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Gavin McFarlin - Assistant SID
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DAVIDSON, N.C. — The Davidson women's basketball team looks to continue their winning ways when it opens the 2013-14 season on the road at ACC-foe Clemson Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. in Littlejohn Coliseum.
The Wildcats are coming off their second straight 22-win campaign and a trip to the postseason for the third time in program history. They also won the program's first postseason game with a first-round victory at Old Dominion in the Women's National Invitational Tournament.
Davidson begins its fourth season under the guidance of head coach Michele Savage, who was the 2011-12 SoCon Coach of the Year.
In preparation for the tip-off Friday afternoon, below is the season outlook for the 2013-14 Wildcats ...
The Wildcats' 2013-14 season begins its fourth year under the guidance of Michele Savage. The program is coming off another record-setting year, having had its second straight 22-win campaign, while reaching the SoCon Tournament final and winning its first-ever postseason game with a victory over Old Dominion in the first round of the women's NIT. The 'Cats were picked to finish third in the coaches league poll.
Davidson will have to replace two-time SoCon Player and Defender of Year Sophia Aleksandravicius, who rewrote the Davidson record books during her four years. Returning and helping fill some of the void is two-time All-SoCon First Team pick and former freshman of the year, Laura Murray. The senior was second on the team in scoring and reached the 1,000-point barrier last season. In all, eight letterwinners return looking to guide the Wildcats to yet another successful campaign.
Head Coach Savage's thoughts on this year's squad for the 2013-14 campaign…
What are some key factors for the team to continue its success from the past two years? And, with this being the final year in the SoCon for Davidson before it moves to the Atlantic 10 in 2014-15, what are some final goals you and the team would like accomplish?
Coach Savage: "Our goal has always been, and will continue to be, winning the conference tournament championship. We were so close last year. We would like to get back to the title game and have a different result. We'd also like to continue our run of reaching the postseason by making the NCAA Tournament this year after going to the WNIT the last two years and going as far as we can."
2012-13 Quick Recap
The Wildcats made it back-to-back 22-win seasons for the first time in the program's 34-year history, as the Wildcats finished 22-13 overall and 16-4 in SoCon action. It was the second-best league mark in school history, while they finished second in the standings for the fifth time overall.
The 'Cats reached the SoCon Tournament Championship game for just the second time in program history and earned it's second straight bid into the Women's NIT. It was the third time overall the Wildcats reached the postseason. The 'Cats won the program's first postseason game with a first-round WNIT win at Old Dominion.
In addition, Aleksandravicius became the sixth player in SoCon history to earn a second Player of the Year honor. She was also the Defender of the Year, marking the first player in the league to repeat. Then to top it all off, Aleksandravicius became the first female athlete at Davidson to be named the SoCon Female Athlete of the Year. The two-time player of the year capped off her Wildcat career by setting seven school records and another six single-season marks, breaking four of her own.
Gone due to graduation are forwards Aleksandravicius, Jasmin Calin and Sarah Davis along with guards Barbara Sitton and Katrin Chiemeka. The five seniors led Davidson to a combined 72 wins during their four years, while sporting a 53-27 league record. In addition, they led the program to its first-ever regular season title in 2011-12 and helped it reach the SoCon Championship final last year.
2013-14 Returners
The pieces that return for Savage are eight letterwinners, which starts with All-SoCon First Team performer Murray. The shooting guard enters her senior season ranked sixth all-time in Davidson history in scoring at 1,263 points and fourth in made three-pointers at 160.
Murray was selected – for the second year in a row – to the 2013-14 preseason coaches team.
In addition, fellow senior teammate Shneeka Center returns looking to finish out her career strong. She averaged just over five points a game last year and gives Davidson a threat from downtown, having nailed 32.5 percent of her career three-pointers.
Add in the pieces of four juniors, a pair of sophomores, led by SoCon All-Freshman performer Dakota Dukes and three newcomers, it all sets up the 'Cats for what they hope is another solid year and a strong run in their final season in the SoCon.
How do you replace arguably the best player (Sophia Aleksandravicius) in Davidson history as well as one of the top all-time greats in Southern Conference?
Coach Savage: "We have to replace Sophie with team effort. No one person can do all the things she has done. As a team we have to rebound better and rely on others to make up the scoring."
Looking to replace Aleksandravicius, Laura Murray will become more of a focus for opponent's defenses. What things can Laura do to avoid any double teams and how do you see her finishing out her outstanding career?
Coach Savage: "Laura is very good at making adjustments, so she will continue to find her offense in our system and play her usual solid defense. But, others will need to help when teams do key more on Laura as the season progresses."
Cracking the Lineup:
Backcourt and Front
The Wildcats return just two of their five starters. Pacing the backcourt is Murray and Dukes will lead the frontcourt. Murray was again named to the all-league first team by the coaches and earned a spot on the second team by the media. She helped lead the 'Cats to the finals of the SoCon Tournament by averaged 19 points and hitting 47 percent of her triples, putting her on the SoCon All-Tournament First Team for the second straight year.
Helping fill the backcourt will be senior Center, and juniors Shannon Eriksson and Lillian McCabe along with sophomore Alex Long. Center shot 38.9 percent from the three-line. Eriksson returned from missing most of her first year by coming off the bench as a sophomore. The rising junior hit 50 percent of her field goals from behind the arc. McCabe also gives the Wildcats another threat from the outside.
Long had a nice debut, playing in 29 games and dishing out 21 assists. Savage will look to her and Eriksson in helping fill the point guard void after the graduation of Sitton. The three-year starter graduated second all-time in program history in assists and steals.
The frontcourt will be filled with sophomore Dukes and juniors Hannah Early and Mellissa Giegerich. Early came back strong in her second year after seeing her freshman year cut short just three games in. The junior was third on the team in scoring at close to six points a game and canned 29 three-pointers, third-most on the squad.
Dukes had an excellent first year, which saw her become the sixth Wildcat to garner all-league freshman team honors. She started 31 of 35 games, while shooting 51.4 percent from the field. Dukes scored a season-high tying 15 points to go with seven rebounds and four assists in her first postseason game, a first round win at Old Dominion in the WNIT.
The 6-foot-6 Giegerich will give Coach Savage depth and looks to provide some size in the middle after the graduation of both Aleksandravicius and Davis down low on the blocks.
There are three freshmen this year (Melanie Ransom, Rachel Piles and Jordan Woods). Talk about what they bring to the table.
Coach Savage: "Melanie will bring versatility at the guard position, and Rachel and Jordan will give us additional presence in the post. I'm expecting all three to contribute right away and give us good depth at all the positions."
The 2012-13 Schedule
The Wildcats will take on ACC schools Clemson, Wake Forest and N.C. State on the road, while hosting Rutgers for the first time. They will also host cross-county rival Charlotte and Atlantic-10 member Richmond as part of their 11-game non-conference slate. In addition, they will close out their final season in the Southern Conference before moving to the A-10 in 2014-15 with an 18-game schedule.
"I'm very excited about the schedule as this year we will have five home games against non-conference opponents in November and December," said Savage. "One of those home contests brings a coaching legend to town – Coach Vivian Stringer and her Rutgers team, which will be on campus for a much-anticipated rematch, Dec. 4, after we played there last year. I know she will bring a gritty, tough-nosed team to Davidson and I look forward to the another good matchup and having the fans come out and support us."
Rutgers is coming off a 16-14 season and has been to the NCAA Tournament 23 times, including 10 straight seasons, which was snapped last year. The two teams met last year for the first time as Davidson gave the Scarlet Knights all they could handle before
falling 55-49.
Savage's fourth season will start on the road as Davidson opens at Clemson, Nov. 8, before traveling to Maryland to take on Mount St. Mary's for the first matchup ever, Nov. 15. The 'Cats and Clemson Tigers opened the season together two years ago, with the Tigers taking a 72-62 decision.
"Starting the season on the road at Clemson will be a challenge for our young squad, but it will also serve as a good barometer of just where we are as a team," said Savage.
Davidson's home opener at John M. Belk Arena is set for Nov. 15 against state-border rival Winthrop. Belk Arena has been a tough place for the opposition recently as the Wildcats have gone 21-3 the past two years. Over the last seven seasons they have collected 63 wins in 84 games, including a school-record 12 victories in 2011-12.
The next four games will be on the road, highlighted by games at Wake Forest (Nov. 19) and N.C. State (Nov. 26). Davidson faced the Demon Deacons two year's ago, going down to the wire with them until falling 68-66 in the closing seconds. The Wildcats will see a familiar face at N.C. State in new coach Wes Moore, who was previously at Chattanooga. The two teams last faced each other in 2009 in Raleigh. The Wolfpack reached the second round of the WNIT in their 31st postseason trip.
Also on the road trip will be games at North Carolina A&T and High Point. Following the four game road trip, Davidson returns home for a six-game stretch, the longest since 1998-99. It starts Nov. 30 against Gardner-Webb with the Wildcats looking to push their win streak in the series to six straight after taking a 59-56 road win last year. They will also host non-conference foes Rutgers, Charlotte and Richmond. Charlotte and Davidson faced each other twice last year, with the last meeting coming in the second round of the WNIT. The 49ers are coming off a 26-6 campaign a year ago and reached the third round of the WNIT. The 'Cats are seeking to halt a four-game skid in the series.
Richmond also made the WNIT, finishing the 2012-13 season at an even 16-16. The Spiders and Wildcats have not faced each other.
Davidson will also open its final go-around in the SoCon during the homestand with games against Wofford and Furman. The Wildcats have dominated the series against the Terriers, leading 29-13, while they have rattled off four straight wins vs. the Paladins.
The remainder of the schedule features all SoCon opponents, with seven of the 16 games to close out the regular season coming at home. The 'Cats last homestand will have them playing Georgia Southern, Western Carolina and Appalachian State to close out February.
The SoCon Tournament is in Asheville, N.C., March 7-10. Last season the second-seeded 'Cats reached the final with wins over UNCG in the quarterfinals and Elon in the semis. Their bid for the program's first tournament title came to a heartbreaking end with a defeat to Chattanooga, 68-66.
In its 20 appearances since joining the SoCon in 1993-94, Davidson has gone 14-20, reaching the semifinals nine times and the final twice.
Live Video (free)
Digital Media Guide
Game Notes: #1 at Clemson (pdf)
Find Your Favorite Wildcat Action Shot at DavidsonPhotos.com
For ticket information for home games, click on season or single game to purchase tickets
DAVIDSON, N.C. — The Davidson women's basketball team looks to continue their winning ways when it opens the 2013-14 season on the road at ACC-foe Clemson Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. in Littlejohn Coliseum.
The Wildcats are coming off their second straight 22-win campaign and a trip to the postseason for the third time in program history. They also won the program's first postseason game with a first-round victory at Old Dominion in the Women's National Invitational Tournament.
Davidson begins its fourth season under the guidance of head coach Michele Savage, who was the 2011-12 SoCon Coach of the Year.
In preparation for the tip-off Friday afternoon, below is the season outlook for the 2013-14 Wildcats ...
Davidson will have to replace two-time SoCon Player and Defender of Year Sophia Aleksandravicius, who rewrote the Davidson record books during her four years. Returning and helping fill some of the void is two-time All-SoCon First Team pick and former freshman of the year, Laura Murray. The senior was second on the team in scoring and reached the 1,000-point barrier last season. In all, eight letterwinners return looking to guide the Wildcats to yet another successful campaign.
Head Coach Savage's thoughts on this year's squad for the 2013-14 campaign…
What are some key factors for the team to continue its success from the past two years? And, with this being the final year in the SoCon for Davidson before it moves to the Atlantic 10 in 2014-15, what are some final goals you and the team would like accomplish?
Coach Savage: "Our goal has always been, and will continue to be, winning the conference tournament championship. We were so close last year. We would like to get back to the title game and have a different result. We'd also like to continue our run of reaching the postseason by making the NCAA Tournament this year after going to the WNIT the last two years and going as far as we can."
2012-13 Quick Recap
The Wildcats made it back-to-back 22-win seasons for the first time in the program's 34-year history, as the Wildcats finished 22-13 overall and 16-4 in SoCon action. It was the second-best league mark in school history, while they finished second in the standings for the fifth time overall.
The 'Cats reached the SoCon Tournament Championship game for just the second time in program history and earned it's second straight bid into the Women's NIT. It was the third time overall the Wildcats reached the postseason. The 'Cats won the program's first postseason game with a first-round WNIT win at Old Dominion.
In addition, Aleksandravicius became the sixth player in SoCon history to earn a second Player of the Year honor. She was also the Defender of the Year, marking the first player in the league to repeat. Then to top it all off, Aleksandravicius became the first female athlete at Davidson to be named the SoCon Female Athlete of the Year. The two-time player of the year capped off her Wildcat career by setting seven school records and another six single-season marks, breaking four of her own.
Gone due to graduation are forwards Aleksandravicius, Jasmin Calin and Sarah Davis along with guards Barbara Sitton and Katrin Chiemeka. The five seniors led Davidson to a combined 72 wins during their four years, while sporting a 53-27 league record. In addition, they led the program to its first-ever regular season title in 2011-12 and helped it reach the SoCon Championship final last year.
2013-14 Returners
The pieces that return for Savage are eight letterwinners, which starts with All-SoCon First Team performer Murray. The shooting guard enters her senior season ranked sixth all-time in Davidson history in scoring at 1,263 points and fourth in made three-pointers at 160.
Murray was selected – for the second year in a row – to the 2013-14 preseason coaches team.
In addition, fellow senior teammate Shneeka Center returns looking to finish out her career strong. She averaged just over five points a game last year and gives Davidson a threat from downtown, having nailed 32.5 percent of her career three-pointers.
How do you replace arguably the best player (Sophia Aleksandravicius) in Davidson history as well as one of the top all-time greats in Southern Conference?
Coach Savage: "We have to replace Sophie with team effort. No one person can do all the things she has done. As a team we have to rebound better and rely on others to make up the scoring."
Looking to replace Aleksandravicius, Laura Murray will become more of a focus for opponent's defenses. What things can Laura do to avoid any double teams and how do you see her finishing out her outstanding career?
Coach Savage: "Laura is very good at making adjustments, so she will continue to find her offense in our system and play her usual solid defense. But, others will need to help when teams do key more on Laura as the season progresses."
Cracking the Lineup:
Backcourt and Front
The Wildcats return just two of their five starters. Pacing the backcourt is Murray and Dukes will lead the frontcourt. Murray was again named to the all-league first team by the coaches and earned a spot on the second team by the media. She helped lead the 'Cats to the finals of the SoCon Tournament by averaged 19 points and hitting 47 percent of her triples, putting her on the SoCon All-Tournament First Team for the second straight year.
Helping fill the backcourt will be senior Center, and juniors Shannon Eriksson and Lillian McCabe along with sophomore Alex Long. Center shot 38.9 percent from the three-line. Eriksson returned from missing most of her first year by coming off the bench as a sophomore. The rising junior hit 50 percent of her field goals from behind the arc. McCabe also gives the Wildcats another threat from the outside.
The frontcourt will be filled with sophomore Dukes and juniors Hannah Early and Mellissa Giegerich. Early came back strong in her second year after seeing her freshman year cut short just three games in. The junior was third on the team in scoring at close to six points a game and canned 29 three-pointers, third-most on the squad.
Dukes had an excellent first year, which saw her become the sixth Wildcat to garner all-league freshman team honors. She started 31 of 35 games, while shooting 51.4 percent from the field. Dukes scored a season-high tying 15 points to go with seven rebounds and four assists in her first postseason game, a first round win at Old Dominion in the WNIT.
The 6-foot-6 Giegerich will give Coach Savage depth and looks to provide some size in the middle after the graduation of both Aleksandravicius and Davis down low on the blocks.
There are three freshmen this year (Melanie Ransom, Rachel Piles and Jordan Woods). Talk about what they bring to the table.
Coach Savage: "Melanie will bring versatility at the guard position, and Rachel and Jordan will give us additional presence in the post. I'm expecting all three to contribute right away and give us good depth at all the positions."
The 2012-13 Schedule
The Wildcats will take on ACC schools Clemson, Wake Forest and N.C. State on the road, while hosting Rutgers for the first time. They will also host cross-county rival Charlotte and Atlantic-10 member Richmond as part of their 11-game non-conference slate. In addition, they will close out their final season in the Southern Conference before moving to the A-10 in 2014-15 with an 18-game schedule.
"I'm very excited about the schedule as this year we will have five home games against non-conference opponents in November and December," said Savage. "One of those home contests brings a coaching legend to town – Coach Vivian Stringer and her Rutgers team, which will be on campus for a much-anticipated rematch, Dec. 4, after we played there last year. I know she will bring a gritty, tough-nosed team to Davidson and I look forward to the another good matchup and having the fans come out and support us."
Rutgers is coming off a 16-14 season and has been to the NCAA Tournament 23 times, including 10 straight seasons, which was snapped last year. The two teams met last year for the first time as Davidson gave the Scarlet Knights all they could handle before
Savage's fourth season will start on the road as Davidson opens at Clemson, Nov. 8, before traveling to Maryland to take on Mount St. Mary's for the first matchup ever, Nov. 15. The 'Cats and Clemson Tigers opened the season together two years ago, with the Tigers taking a 72-62 decision.
"Starting the season on the road at Clemson will be a challenge for our young squad, but it will also serve as a good barometer of just where we are as a team," said Savage.
Davidson's home opener at John M. Belk Arena is set for Nov. 15 against state-border rival Winthrop. Belk Arena has been a tough place for the opposition recently as the Wildcats have gone 21-3 the past two years. Over the last seven seasons they have collected 63 wins in 84 games, including a school-record 12 victories in 2011-12.
The next four games will be on the road, highlighted by games at Wake Forest (Nov. 19) and N.C. State (Nov. 26). Davidson faced the Demon Deacons two year's ago, going down to the wire with them until falling 68-66 in the closing seconds. The Wildcats will see a familiar face at N.C. State in new coach Wes Moore, who was previously at Chattanooga. The two teams last faced each other in 2009 in Raleigh. The Wolfpack reached the second round of the WNIT in their 31st postseason trip.
Also on the road trip will be games at North Carolina A&T and High Point. Following the four game road trip, Davidson returns home for a six-game stretch, the longest since 1998-99. It starts Nov. 30 against Gardner-Webb with the Wildcats looking to push their win streak in the series to six straight after taking a 59-56 road win last year. They will also host non-conference foes Rutgers, Charlotte and Richmond. Charlotte and Davidson faced each other twice last year, with the last meeting coming in the second round of the WNIT. The 49ers are coming off a 26-6 campaign a year ago and reached the third round of the WNIT. The 'Cats are seeking to halt a four-game skid in the series.
Richmond also made the WNIT, finishing the 2012-13 season at an even 16-16. The Spiders and Wildcats have not faced each other.
Davidson will also open its final go-around in the SoCon during the homestand with games against Wofford and Furman. The Wildcats have dominated the series against the Terriers, leading 29-13, while they have rattled off four straight wins vs. the Paladins.
The SoCon Tournament is in Asheville, N.C., March 7-10. Last season the second-seeded 'Cats reached the final with wins over UNCG in the quarterfinals and Elon in the semis. Their bid for the program's first tournament title came to a heartbreaking end with a defeat to Chattanooga, 68-66.
In its 20 appearances since joining the SoCon in 1993-94, Davidson has gone 14-20, reaching the semifinals nine times and the final twice.
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