ATLANTA – The Georgia Tech women’s basketball team opens practice for the 2000-01 season with Midnight Mania on Fri., Oct. 13, at Alexander Memorial Coliseum.
The Yellow Jackets, who posted a 17-14 record and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament last season, return four starters and 10 letterwinners from last year’s squad.
Redshirt sophomore Niesha Butler, the 1999 ACC Rookie of the Year and a Preseason Naismith College Player of the Year candidate, returns after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee in the fourth game of the year last season. Butler averaged 19.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game as a freshman.
Senior Jaime Kruppa, Tech’s leading scorer and rebounder last season, returns after averaging 10.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game last junior. Senior Regina Tate teams with Kruppa to form a formidable frontcourt.
Sophomores Nina Barlin (7.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg and 117 assists) and Alex Stewart (4.9, 2.5. 73 assists) provide a talented backcourt duo. Barlin started all 31 games at point guard for the Yellow Jackets last season.
Tech begins preparation for the 2000-01 season on Saturday at 12:01 a.m. Prior to practice, the Yellow Jackets will host “Midnight Mania,” featuring contests, prizes and autographs, beginning at 10:30 p.m.
The Yellow Jackets continue practice Monday at 3:30 p.m. Head coach Agnus Berenato and two players will be available to media at 2:45 p.m. at Alexander Memorial Coliseum.
