Nov. 5, 2009

DURHAM, N.C. - Two seasons removed from division two and the North Carolina Central University Lady Eagles have already experienced the challenges of being a division one program, having completed their first season with a full division one schedule. Just two years into the transition and NCCU has proven themselves.

This year, the Lady Eagles are made up of a group of young talent, forcing them to rely heavily on their underclassmen to make an impact. For the sophomores, they come in with a year of collegiate playing experience behind them, giving the Lady Eagles both experience and talent. They look to translate their experience into on-court success as they face top competition this season.

NCCU will look to improve on their minor successes from last season by adding depth at every position. This year's team is full of athleticism and quickness in all areas. With the addition of six newcomers, the Lady Eagles will provide a variety of options on both offense and defense.

This season, the Lady Eagles will carry 13 student-athletes. The 2009-10 roster consists of one senior, three juniors, four sophomores and five freshmen. Robinson and her coaching staff are looking for the freshmen to progress with each game as they learn the system and adjust to playing at the next level. They hope their veteran players will embrace the opportunity and help the newcomers learn their role.

"I am looking forward to the start of a new season," said Lady Eagles head coach Joli Robinson. "Having some of the players from last season will help the young athletes as they go through this season mentally and physically. As we continue to play throughout the season, we want to be sure that we are being competitive, that we are developing and that we are growing as a team each game. We want to see improvement from game to game."

With a complete division one schedule last year, the Lady Eagles had to face the challenge of competing against some of the top tier programs in the country, including Georgia, Oklahoma, Robert Morris and North Carolina. It was a year that tested the hearts of each student-athlete. And it will be no different this year as the Lady Eagles dive into one of their most challenging and competitive seasons in program history.

NCCU will face those challenges head-on with a new look. Unfortunately for the Lady Eagles, they will have to battle some of the most competitive teams in the nation without their leader Jori Nwachukwu. Nwachukwu, who sat out the last four games of the season last year due to a torn ACL, will not be on the sidelines at all this year. The senior is completing an internship for the Philadelphia 76ers as part of her coursework.

FACING TOUGH COMPETITION

This season, the Lady Eagles will face five teams that appeared in the NCAA Tournament and two teams that made National Invitational Tournament appearances. NCCU will take on a 29-game schedule with two more games than last year. This year, the Lady Eagles will dive into a regular season schedule that includes 10 home games and 17 road trips

"Our schedule is definitely very competitive this year," added Robinson. "The positive points about our schedule are that we are not traveling many miles across the map like we have in the past and we will not miss as many class days. Our games are close enough that our fans can come out and support us and we will have some room in our schedule to plan and prepare for the next game."

A YOUTHFUL LEADERSHIP

Seven student-athletes return for the Lady Eagles this season, including four starters. This year, the Lady Eagles have developed a new look and a new attitude, thriving for excellence and the opportunity to rebuild the foundation that once made NCCU a prominent basketball program.

With a young roster, the Lady Eagles will look to their veterans for leadership, while giving their youth an opportunity to grow and prosper into successful division one student-athletes. The 2009-10 team will be led by two of the Lady Eagles' young talent in sophomores Danielle DeBerry and Blaire Houston.

"Danielle DeBerry and Blaire Houston were named our captains for this season and they will be a great help for our new student-athletes," said Robinson. "It is very rare that you will see two sophomores who have become leaders so early, but these two young ladies do an exceptional job on and off the court. Their work ethic is phenomenal and they are comfortable in their role as the leaders of this team."

FAMILIAR FACES

Including DeBerry and Houston, the Lady Eagles return seven from last year's squad, including senior Latoya Bennett. Bennett will be the lone senior on this year's team, leading Lady Eagles' post game. She provides size on the post, while also bringing experience.

Center Katrice Elliott will be a huge contributor for the Lady Eagles this season, bringing size and experience to an inside game that is missing some strength and power. Elliott, a junior from Apex, N.C., will serve as a senior for the Lady Eagles this season due to her graduation at the end of the year.

"Our returning players have been working very hard to prepare for this upcoming season," added Robinson. "One of our returners, Katrice Elliott, has been working very hard and many should see a big difference in her game this season. We are expecting to be an aggressive and competitive team this season."

Juniors Shanise Blanks and Sheresa Mills add to a list of veterans that bring experience to this young roster. Blanks provides depth at the guard position and will add strength and quickness. Her leadership will be key in the success of the team this season, while Mills will help inside for the Lady Eagles, serving as another veteran post player.

"Though we are small in size, we have been working very hard to help compensate for the lack of height," continued Robinson. "We feel that this season will be just as exciting and competitive as the previous one."

Sophomore Chasidy Williams joins DeBerry and Houston as the trio of young talent that will be looked to lead this year's team. With the loss of Nwachukwu last season, Williams dug deep inside and found the heart and passion to step up and make an impact. She will be relied on tremendously this season as she fills in the gaps that have been left behind.

A NEW LOOK

The Lady Eagles will look a little different this year. With the loss of Nwachukwu, NCCU will have to rely on their newcomers to come in and make an impact. This year's squad has six newcomers that will bring back a winning tradition at NCCU. Joining the Lady Eagles this season are Aretha Johnson, Joanna Miller, Brittany Myatt, J'Mia Pollock, Shaina Pryor and Destiny Tolliver.

"Our team is young as far as experience on the court, but we are hoping that our young players will be able to grow and mature as the season progresses," said Robinson. "Each one of them will develop at their own pace, but we will push them as much as we can, but not to the point where they will become discouraged."

This year's top newcomer is Joanna Miller, who Robinson and her coaching staff are expecting to see on the floor a lot this season. She has a great work ethic and will contribute significantly to the team, especially behind the arc. Miller comes out of high school as a sharpshooter that will provide range in the Lady Eagles' backcourt.

A new face to the basketball court, but not to NCCU is Shaina Pryor, a former volleyball player for the Eagles. She will add size and depth on the post. Standing at 5-11, Pryor will be a huge difference on the boards for the Lady Eagles, providing a lot of strength down low and will give NCCU help inside.

Three other newcomers that will be joining the Lady Eagles this season are Brittany Myatt, J'Mia Pollock and Destiny Tolliver. Myatt is a quick guard that will help out on the outside, providing a quicker backcourt, while Pollock comes in as a 6-1 forward that will help out on the post. She will add height and strength and will help balance the Lady Eagles' frontcourt.

Tolliver is the tallest player on the roster and will add height to the Eagles frontcourt. She will help out inside for the Lady Eagles and will help provide strength on the boards.

"We have several returning players that can relate to our young players, standing in their shoes last season," added Robinson. "Those student-athletes will help them along their journey and help them become better student-athletes."

IT'S GAMETIME

Before diving into the regular season, which includes 10 homes games and 17 road trips, the Lady Eagles will showcase their talent in an exhibition game against the 2009 CIAA Champions. The Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University and the Lady Eagles of NCCU will battle on Nov. 8 at 4 p.m. in McDougald-McLendon Gym.

For more information on Lady Eagles basketball, visit the official website of NCCU Athletics at www.NCCUEaglePride.com.