Oct. 13, 2008

NORFOLK, Va. -- Join the Old Dominion women's basketball team on Friday, October 17th as the Lady Monarchs usher in the 2008-09 season with its first official practice at the Ted Constant Convocation Center. The practice, which is open to public, will take place from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Following Friday night's practice, the eight returning letterwinners from last year's 31-5 "Sweet 16" squad and the six newcomers will be on hand to sign autographs for the fans. Among the returnees are Second Team All-CAA honoree, CAA leading shot blocker, and Lady Monarch leading rebounder senior forward/center Tiffany Green (Chesapeake, Va.), CAA assist leader senior guard Jazzmin Walters (Norfolk, Va.), and Third Team All-CAA selection and CAA field goal percentage leader junior Jessica Canady (Williamsburg, Va.).

Friday's practice will be the first official practice of the 2008-09 season, which will see the Lady Monarchs embark on one of the toughest and competitive schedules in the country. This year's slate includes four opponents that reached NCAA last year, including national champion Tennessee and former champion Maryland, four WNIT participants, among them runner-up Michigan State, a season-opening tournament at Texas, and a challenging CAA slate. The Lady Monarchs, who are looking to collect its NCAA record 18th consecutive Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) title, are currently riding a 26-game home win-streak that is tied for the nation's longest active win streak.

Tickets for all home contests, including dates with the 2008 NCAA Champion Lady Vols and 2006 NCAA Champion Terps, are available online at www.coxtix.com or by calling 757-683-4444 during business hours (M-F 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.). Single game tickets and mini plans will go on sale to the general public on Monday, November 3, at 10:00 a.m. To order single game tickets visit the Cox Ticket website (www.coxtix.com), call Cox Tickets at 888-3CO-XTIX, or stop by the Constant Center Box Office.