Women’s Basketball Begins 2009-10 Campaign at Howard on Friday

Media Information
Teams: American (0-0) vs. Howard (0-0)
Date & Time: Friday, November 13, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Burr Gymnasium, Washington, D.C.
Game Notes

The American University women's basketball team will open its 2009-10 regular season on Friday, November 13, at crosstown rival Howard. Opening tip is set for 7:00 p.m at Howard's Burr Gymnasium.

Head Coach Matt Corkery and his staff begin their second year in Washington, D.C. Last season, Corkery led the Eagles to a 19-12 record and made their second straight WNIT appearance. Corkery was the associate head coach in the 2007-08 campaign as the Eagles clinched the Patriot League regular season crown.

American returns three of their five starters from a season ago, including senior Nicole Ryan, who was named the team's most valuable player in her record-setting 2008-09 campaign. Ryan, who averaged 11.3 points per game last season, shot a program-record 87.8 percent from the free throw line (65-74), and currently holds the AU career-record from the charity stripe (82.1 percent). Also returning from last year's starting lineup is junior forward Michelle Kirk, an All-Patriot League First Team selection in 2008-09 and preseason All-Patriot League pick in 2009-10. She led the team in scoring and rebounding with 14.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game last campaign. Junior forward Liz Leer is the third returning starter from last year's squad. Leer is a presence in the paint, as she set a school-record with 62 block shots a year ago. She averaged 11.1 points and 5.5 rebounds in 2008-09.

Additionally, AU has been selected to finish second in the Patriot League in the preseason poll, the conference announced last week. The poll was voted on by the league's coaches and sports information directors.

Last Sunday, American competed in an exhibition game against Virginia Wesleyan at Bender Arena, coming away with a 98-34 victory. Five Eagles scored in double figures with Leer leading the way with 22 points on 11-of-15 shooting.