November 7, 2008

RAMS SET TO HOST VIRGINIA UNION IN EXHIBITION OPENR
Black and Gold looking to build off record-setting 2007-2008 campaign
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RICHMOND, Va. – The theory around the sports world is, “Champions are built in the off-season.”

If that’s the case, the Virginia Commonwealth University women’s basketball team is in great shape as the Rams were one of the hardest working teams during the summer in preparation on building on a record-setting 2007-2008 campaign, in which they captured a school record 26 wins and made an appearance in the second round of the WNIT.

“From the start of practice, I could tell that our returners worked extremely hard in the off-season,” Head Coach Beth Cunningham said. “Unfortunately right now we have some veterans that are banged up, but I think it has been a great opportunity for our newcomers and others to step in and get some more experience.”

One of those key veterans will be Second Team All-CAA honoree Quanitra Hollingsworth (Chesapeake, Va.), who is returning from an Achilles injury that kept her out for most of the second half of the last season. Hollingsworth, who is the school’s leader in double-doubles with 37, averaged 13.3 points per game and 9.5 rebounds per outing in 23 games last year.

Joining Hollingsworth as the only seniors on the squad is Radoslava Bachvarova (Varna, Bulgaria), who averaged 8.1 points per game and knocked down 34 three-pointers in her first campaign with VCU.

In last year’s match-up with the Panthers, Hollingsworth dominated the inside with 17 points and 14 rebounds, while rising junior La’Tavia Rorie (Charlotte, N.C.) (pictured left) poured in nine to lead the Rams to a 83-43 exhibition victory.

VCUathletics.com got a chance to sit down and talk to Cunningham as she enters her sixth season at the helm of the Black and Gold:

VCUathletics.com: How would you say the preseason has been going? Better or worse than expected?

Cunningham: I have been really pleased with the progress of our team at this point.  I have been happy with the adjustments our new players have made getting used to playing in a brand new system, and I think our returners have done a great job of leading.  I can tell by the way we started practice that our returners worked extremely hard in the off-season.  Unfortunately we have had some of our veterans (Q [Hollingsworth], D [D’Andra Moss], Ebony [Ebony Patterson]) out for most of the pre-season, but I think it has been a great opportunity for our newcomers and others to step in and get some experience.  Every year it's a new team so I think it's difficult to say has pre-season gone as expected.  I do wish we would have had everyone healthy, but that's part of the adversity you have to deal with in sports. 

VCUathletics.com: What do you as coaches focus in exhibition games like this?


Cunningham: We look at it as an opportunity for us to get a better feel and continue learning from each other as to where we are as a team at this point two/three weeks into practice.  We will continue to learn more about each other as a team and as individuals and the areas we need to continue to build on.  It's nice for our team to have a chance to play another team before the season officially starts.

VCUathletics.com: What would you say is the biggest strengths of this year's team?

Cunningham: I think it will be our balance and versatility.  I think we have a number of different weapons and I feel we have some kids that can give us a lot of versatility in a lot of different areas.  If we can get and stay healthy, I think our depth could also be a real strength of this year’s team. 

VCUathletics.com: If you had to pick one or two "sleepers" on this year's team, who would they be and why?

Cunningham: I think Jennifer Lane and Jessica Taylor.  I have been extremely pleased with the addition of Jen to our program and I think she and Ebony are going to play a critical role in the success of our team because they play such a vital role in the point guard position.  We will be young in that position, but I think both have a big upside.  Jessica Taylor has worked as hard as anyone in the off season.  The kind of work ethic she has will pay dividends...she also has a passion and a hunger to improve and really make an impact on this years team.