Newspapers / Winston-Salem State University Student … / Jan. 27, 2009, edition 1 / Page 4
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I’agc 1 I'hc News Argus Sports Tuesday, January 27, 2009 w’WAv.thenewsargiis.coni Lady Rams ready for season kickoff LaTasha Miles Sports Editor With a new season swiftly approaching the Lady Rams softball team is ready for action. Last season the Lady Rams had a (20-29) record including a (10-10) record at home. Head coach LaTaya Hilliard-Gray brings her team into another season of MEAC competition. "Being that I played in the MEAC [Hampton University], it [CIAA/MEAC transition] brought a lot of excitement for me," Gray said. "I'm enjoying it and I feel that we are grow ing. It's really exciting." The Lady Rams will open their season playing in the MEAC/SWAC Showdown on Feb. 7-8 in Atlanta. Day one of the showdown, the Lady Rams face Jackson State University and Alcorn State University. The next day they square off against Alabama A&M University and Mississippi State University. The team will travel to Durham to face rival and soon to be MEAC competitor. North Carolina Central University. Their home opener is on March 7 with a double-header against Gray's alma mater Hampton University. Two more home games will follow on March 10 versus Gardner-Webb and March 17 against the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Gray professes that all her players play a part in her pro gram. She always tells them she expects them all to be lead ers. Five seniors return this season, Leslie Hollis, Amber Shore, Kendall Sutton, Georgette Twitty and Elyon Taylor. These women have been with the program through the CIAA to MEAC transition. "This is a key year for them [seniors]," Gray said. They were recruited for CIAA play. "This was my first true class I recruited, since I have been head coach." Gray says the group is grow ing and they've stepped up and handled the challenge well. Last season, five hitters had a batting average of at least .300 and were led by catcher Kayla Woodbury, with just over a .400 average. The Lady Rams had some high scoring games putting up 20, 19, or 17 points and at other times they were held scoreless or limited in runs. Gray has that type of roller coaster scoring as a top prior ity to change this season. "When performing at bat, we need to be more consistent," she said. "Right now, we're working on mental preparation and positioning the ball." Gray said that if the team continues to make contact with the ball like they are doing and start positioning the ball more, they're going to have a higher batting average than they have now. This strategy Gray hopes will get the team more wins. Coach Gray feels their three strongest factors are the team's chemistry, versatility, and that they're all on the same page and have the same goals. Gray says that the team is going to take the season game by game. "We practice well, and we expect to play well." Recap; Lady Rams have slow start, still looking for first win Grant Fulton News Editor The WSSU Lady Rams played 15 games this season and are winless. Nov. 28 and 29, the Lady Rams played in the UNC- Greensboro/Marriott Classic. The team was defeated by Bowling Green State University 80-43 and Florida Gulf Coast University 57-43. Day two of the tournament, the Lady Rams committed 23 turnovers and red-shirt senior Keoshia Worthy had a career high of 17 points in the loss. Dec. 4, the Lady Rams (0-7) returned to the Gaines Center and took on the Gardner-Webb University Runnin' Bulldogs. The result was a 55-64 loss. The Lady Rams (0-9) went two weeks without playing and on Dec. 20 they returned home to take on the defending Big South Champions, the Liberty University Flames. Liberty would leave Winston-Salem with a 55-43 victory. Red shirt sophomore guard, MaLisa Bumpus played her first game and recorded 13 points, including a trio of 3- pointers. Dec. 31, the Lady Rams trav eled to Greenville, S.C. to take on the Furman University Paladins. The Paladin defense proved too tough for the Lady Rams, shooting just 33 percent. Byrd scored a career-high 16 points, 14 in the second half. In the new year, the Lady Rams returned to conference play and faced the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Fighting Hawks. Both teams shot 40 percent and the teams combined for 46 fouls. The Fighting Hawks went on to win the battle by a score of 75-58, leaving the Lady Rams (0-12), awaiting their first victory. In the next match-up, the Lady Rams faced the Hampton University Pirates. The Lady Rams led at the half with a score of 37-20, but loss with a 53-66 final. The scores of the North Carolina A&T University game were not available prior to deadline. Aanaey Enter the Black History Month ^ 2009 \Nords of Wisdom: I A New Spirit of Change essay contest presented by Allte! 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Jan. 27, 2009, edition 1
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