Women's BBall - The wheels came off the bus (10-9, 0-6)

The Womens bball team started the season 10-2 in OOC play and things were at least looking positive. Then came the seven game slide, with six of those losses in conference. A bad loss to Hampton got this slide started, falling 70-60. The next two games against Boston College and LOLUVA were close until the last few possessions, where fouls and free throws took over. Then came the two heartbreakers, first to Miami, where Tech missed four shots in the last fourteen seconds and fell 64-62. The second, to #3 Duke, where Tech trailed by as many as fifteen, but in the last few minutes seemed to have all the momentum, but it wasn't enough as Duke's clutch free throw shooting closed it out 74-70. The loss to Duke seemed to take a mental toll on the Hokies in the last couple games, where they after a solid first half they proceeded to lose by twenty one to Georgia Tech. They then let #24 Florida State jump out to a 10-0 lead to start the game and it never really seemed the ladies were in it from there, consistently down by double digits and losing by sixteen, 70-54. I wish there were better things to report, but even with the losses the ladies seem to be moving in the right direction as an overall program. They at least are able to run a set offense, and the few games I have gotten to watch, seem to play good hard nosed defense. The unfortunate thing about this bad run of games means that both are Men's and Women's programs are currently in last place in the ACC.

There are currently three Hokie ladies averaging in double figures for points. Uju Ugoka leads the way, averaging 20.2 ppg, followed by Monet Tellier with 11.2 ppg and Vanessa Panousis with 10.7 ppg. Ugoka is actually averaging a double double on the season as she also pulls down 10.3 rpg. The ladies are averaging 67.3 ppg so far this year, still outscoring their opponents overall, who have a 60 ppg average against. One other pretty solid stat is Taijah Campbell, who is averaging almost 1.5 blocks per game, which is unusual in the women's game.

Let's hope the Hokies can get a few wins down the stretch. Their next game is at #2 Notre Dame, on January 30th at 7pm. There is a good chance this game will be televised so if you want to catch the ladies it might be a good night for it. The game after that is where the ladies have a real shot at righting the ship with Boston College coming to Cassell on Superbowl Sunday at 2pm. Lets hope the fans get out there and support the team prior to the Super Bowl.