Oct. 12, 2006
Atlanta – The women’s basketball team begins preparations for the much anticipated 2006-07 season when they hold their first practice Saturday, Oct. 14. The team will hold two workouts on both Saturday and Sunday, then pack their bags for a team-building retreat at the Twin Rivers Resort in Demorest, Ga.
Gearing up for their season, the women’s team joined the men’s team in a basketball media day held in the Hyder Room at the Alexander Memorial Coliseum Thursday. The players and head coach MaChelle Joseph talked with the media about, among other things, the importance of developing unity and chemistry on this team-building retreat.
“Throughout the course of the season, the closer they feel to each other, the better they play,” said Joseph. “We have fall break on Monday and Tuesday so we’re going up to Piedmont College in north Georgia, and we’re going to do our training camp up there, and do some horseback riding and a couple of different things where we’re together not only on the court, but off the court as well.”
The Yellow Jackets will return to Atlanta to resume classes and their regular practice schedule on Wednesday, Oct. 18.
Joseph also took the opportunity Thursday to tout the experience of her veteran team, returning top scorers senior Stephanie Higgs and junior Chioma Nnamaka and one of the ACC’s top five rebounders in junior Janie Mitchell. Returning point guard, junior Jill Ingram and senior Kentrina Wilson will also add to this experienced team of starters.
“We’re really looking forward to this season and seeing the growth and experience pay off. Our team has been young for two years, but we’re finally a veteran team, at least on the perimeter,” said Joseph.
While Tech boasts one of the most experienced teams in the league this season, returning nine letterwinners, Joseph also has talented corps of incoming freshman who will contribute. Tiffany Blackmon, a 6’1″ North Carolina native, has a 6’7″ wingspan and looks to fill the void left by Kasha Terry at the center position. Fellow freshman Brigette Ardossi hails from Melbourne, Australia where she competed on the Junior Team and brings with her more experience than most newcomers. Joseph will look to freshman left-handed shooter, Angel Bui to fill the void left by Megan Harping outside the arc, and the versatility of Nia Josiah to add depth on the perimeter.
The Yellow Jackets will tip off the 2006-07 season when they host South Carolina Upstate on Wednesday, November 1 in an exhibition game at the Alexander Memorial Coliseum at 7:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on line at www.ramblinwreck.com or by calling the ticket office at 404-894-5447.
