VALDOSTA, Ga. – The wait is finally over, as Lady Blazer basketball kicks off a brand new season this weekend, beginning with the home opener on Friday night at 6:00 p.m. against the visiting Eckerd Tritons.
The Valdosta State women's basketball program is set to host the Holiday Inn Conference Challenge this weekend, adding on to the squad's weekend schedule with another matchup on Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. against Fort Valley State out of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
The GSC's West Georgia Wolves represent the fourth and final team in the tournament, and are scheduled to face Fort Valley State at 2:00 p.m. on Friday before turning around at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday to face the aforementioned Tritons of Eckerd, who represent the Sunshine State Conference.
Valdosta State enters the 2014-15 campaign looking to build on a 12-15 record last season, and Head Coach
Kiley Hill aims to make a splash in the GSC with seven returnees.
April Thomas leads the pack of returning players as one of the top scorers in the GSC last year. Her average of 13.8 points per game during the 2013-14 season placed her among the league's top ten scorers, and Coach Hill and his staff are expecting a year of experience with the program to pay dividend's during Thomas' senior campaign.
Jordan Waugh,
Maylisa Johnson, and
Amy Duke join Thomas as members of the 2014 senior class, while
Katie Repko and
Maggie Davis return as juniors.
Reshaundra Owens, who put up big numbers as a freshman last season (5.1 rebounds per game, 7.4 points per game) to earn 16 starts and playing time in 26 of the team's 27 games in 2013-14 returns as the lone sophomore.
The Lady Blazers hold a 9-1 all-time record against Eckerd and defeated the Tritons 65-58 in their most recent matchup on November 26, 2013. VSU's Saturday night opponent, FVSU, last faced the Lady Blazers nearly two years ago on December 4, 2013, when Valdosta State prevailed in a thrilling 56-51 overtime win at The Complex.
All contests throughout the duration of the tournament can be followed via live statistics, while games that include Valdosta State can be accessed at www.vstateblazers.com. In addition, fans can keep up with results throughout the weekend by following Blazer Athletics' official Twitter account (@BlazerAthletics).
