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| Photo by BEN RUEHLMANN Freshman Michelle Dove heads for the net versus the City College of New York. |
Off to a fifty-fifty start of 2-2, the women's basketball team has not only new talent, but also new coaches leading the team. Six out of the twelve on the roster are first-years as well as the entire coaching staff, including the head coach and two assistants. "We've had a rough start, but every game we are improving, especially with our consistency," said Assistant Coach Allie Graf. The coaches look towards seniors Devin Allen, Shauntell Dandridge and Cherie Cannady to include the freshmen into their flow during both their practice and game play, which will be significant in their success.
"The freshmen have made an excellent transition from high school to college play," said Head Coach Stephany Dunmyer. Starting off the season in the Marlin Tip-Off Classic with a loss only made the women strive toward success in the next game of the tournament, in which they came out with a win over the City College of New York, 60-46. Allen was named to the All-Tournament team for the contributions she made towards the win.
After suffering their first conference loss against Randolph-Macon College, who was ranked first in the conference preseason poll, by only ten points, the adrenaline rush was at a high going into the Hollins University game. Beating them 65-59, Michelle Dove proved her freshman talent with 20 points, 9 steals and 6 assists. "Our freshmen point guards were instrumental in the wins," said Dunmyer. "However, our overall defense needs improvement." Looking toward the improvement of basic fundamentals, communication and consistency breaking down the skills down in practice will help in breaking the 2-2 record before their next conference game in January.
"We have to be able to put together the full forty minutes of intense play," said freshman Kim Harmon. "And some good officiating would be nice too." With a workout given to the team for the holiday break including lifting, running and playing with their high school teams along with the drive that each player has already knowing that the team has the potential to do well this season, the coaches aren't too concerned with the level of play after returning from the two-week break.
"Overall, if the offense is having an off day we can survive, but we have to always have the defensive fundamentals to stop the opponent from scoring," said Dunmyer. The Lady Marlins travel to longtime rival Christopher Newport University on Tuesday Dec. 9, at 5:30 p.m.
You might have noticed the new look of the cheerleading squad of Virginia Wesleyan College. Maybe more of a “collegiate look,” which is the goal the girls have been striving toward after purchasing the new uniforms. However, as most people compliment them on the new outfit, they may not realize that each cheerleader has had to pay out of her own pocket for the uniform. “It wouldn’t be so bad if the school would partially pay for them,” said freshman Ashley Dowling. “I wouldn’t mind paying for some of it.” As for the rest of the athletic teams on campus, the school pays for the athletic gear through their budget, but that’s what the cheerleading squad lacks: a budget. Though Wesleyan considers them as part of the athletic department, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference does not, which does not allow the school to fund the team.
“The school bought the girls uniforms three years ago,” said Head Coach Kristen Whalen. “But the team decided unanimously during a vote that they were outdated and that we needed a more collegiate look since part of the judging during competitions is on appearance.” Each uniform for the returnees cost $211.27, which included the skirt, shirt and shoes, where as the freshmen paid $256.16, including the additions of the warm-up and practice gear.
“The worst part is that the seniors only get one year out of the uniforms, after which they can decide to keep them or sell them back for less than what they paid for the next freshman to use,” said sophomore Sarah Frizzell. With upcoming fundraisers, the money accumulated will have to go toward new practice mats that were bought at the beginning of the season. The athletic department and the school have agreed to pay for the trip to nationals, but the squad is holding fundraisers to replenish the money that is being spent.
“We have to pay for our food and entry fees when we travel to competitions,” said Frizzell. “Our coaches are constantly attending meetings with the rest of the coaching staff and athletic director, which will hopefully give them support to change the conference’s mind in considering us a sport.” With plans to build their own team fund, future cheerleaders won’t have to pay for the uniform and other necessities such as equipment. “We’re also working out with Coach Marks doing plyometrics, so that we can present ourselves more as athletes,” said Assistant Coach Dixon. The squad qualified for the national tournament after placing among the top three at the Busch Gardens Spring Fling Classic last April. They will travel to Washington, DC March 5-7, 2004 to compete in the Atlantic Cheer and Dance Battle at the Capitol National Convention.
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Dave Doino |
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Justin Blazer |
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Pete Warren |
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