University of Richmond Athletics
Women's Basketball Getting Set For Season Opener
11/01/2007 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 1, 2007
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The opening of the 2007-08 women's basketball season is just days away. After a long preseason of workouts, the players are getting their game jerseys ready to hit the Robins Center Monday November 5, at 7 p.m. Richmond will host Athletes in Action for an exhibition game before heading down to Georgia to play two games in just three days.
Coach Michael Shafer would like to practice for a few more weeks but is excited to play against new faces.
"Athletes in Action is more of a dress rehearsal; if it's wrong, you play through and deal with it," Shafer said.
With six freshmen on this year's roster, the exhibition game gives the newcomers a chance to feel pre-game butterflies for the first time as a Spider. First year, Crystal Goring is looking to her teammates to calm her preseason jitters.
"I am extremely nervous, I'll be depending on the other girls to help get me ready for this first game," Goring said.
After Monday's game, Coach Shafer and his Spiders will have just three days of practice to fix any blemishes before heading down to Stegeman Coliseum to face the No. 10 Georgia Lady Bulldogs. Friday, November 9, will mark Shafer's first return to Athens since coming to Richmond in 2005.
A native of Athens, Shafer spent 11 years on the coaching staff under long time Head Coach Andy Landers. Richmond hosted Georgia last season, where the Spiders fell by 13. Then freshman, Katie Holzer led Richmond with 14 points, and preseason A-10 All-Conference selection Christina Campion recorded 13 points.
On returning to Athens, Shafer's first priority is when the whistle blows at 7 p.m., "Going back will be a treat, but at the same time, we're playing a great basketball team and that's where my focus has been," Shafer said.
Richmond will turn around from Georgia to face Kennesaw St. on Sunday, November 11 at 2 p.m. With just one day of rest between games, Shafer is looking at the weekend as practice for what could come in the future at the NCAA tournament.
"It's a great experience, to be honest, that's why we scheduled it," he said.
