Womens' basketball gears up for another run
Clay Chavis
Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: Sports
Eleven straight championships would be an incredible accomplishment, historic even, and the UTC Lady Mocs will be gunning for that very goal this upcoming season.
The 2010 version of the Lady Mocs will be similar to the previous ten regular season title teams.
UTC will combine a dominating inside presence with reigning Southern Conference Most Valuable Player, senior Shanara Hollingquest, from Sylacauga, Ala., great defense that covers every inch of the floor, outside shooting and the leadership of Head Coach Wes Moore.
Even after "The Decade of Dominance" ended bitterly last year at the hands of College of Charleston, who would eventually punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament at McKenzie Arena, the outlook is sunny for the 2009-2010 model Lady Mocs.
"Last year didn't end the way we wanted it to last year," Moore said. "It's been a bitter pill to swallow."
The Lady Mocs bring back its top two scorers and will add highly touted redshirt freshman Michelle Davis, from Cleveland, Tenn., who sat out the 2008 season after transferring from North Carolina State. The 6-2 star from will bring size and strength to a front court already loaded for bear with the aforementioned Hollinquest.
"We are excited not only about the nucleus of veterans we have returning," Moore said. "But also some of the kids that were injured, getting them back on the floor is going to be exciting.
"It's going to be an interesting weaving of talent," Moore said.
In addition, the Lady Mocs will have two pairs of steady hands directing the offense. Senior Jenaya Wade-Frey, from Madison, Ala., led the team in steals last season and will be paired with the slick ball handling of senior Tagan Hatchett, from Acworth, Ga.
The Lady Mocs also return several key components that were lost to season ending injuries last year. These injuries forced Coach Moore to limit practice time.
Moore was only able to put nine able bodies on the court during practice, which included an assistant coach just to be able to scrimmage.
The Lady Mocs still found a way to win a tenth straight regular season SoCon championship.
The Lady Mocs will begin their quest to reach the Women's NCAA Tournament and its unprecedented 11th straight title in earnest on Nov. 13 against East Tennessee State in Johnson City, Tenn.
Their schedule includes challenges against non-conference powers Clemson and Georgia here in Chattanooga and a trip to Kentucky.
The 2010 version of the Lady Mocs will be similar to the previous ten regular season title teams.
UTC will combine a dominating inside presence with reigning Southern Conference Most Valuable Player, senior Shanara Hollingquest, from Sylacauga, Ala., great defense that covers every inch of the floor, outside shooting and the leadership of Head Coach Wes Moore.
Even after "The Decade of Dominance" ended bitterly last year at the hands of College of Charleston, who would eventually punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament at McKenzie Arena, the outlook is sunny for the 2009-2010 model Lady Mocs.
"Last year didn't end the way we wanted it to last year," Moore said. "It's been a bitter pill to swallow."
The Lady Mocs bring back its top two scorers and will add highly touted redshirt freshman Michelle Davis, from Cleveland, Tenn., who sat out the 2008 season after transferring from North Carolina State. The 6-2 star from will bring size and strength to a front court already loaded for bear with the aforementioned Hollinquest.
"We are excited not only about the nucleus of veterans we have returning," Moore said. "But also some of the kids that were injured, getting them back on the floor is going to be exciting.
"It's going to be an interesting weaving of talent," Moore said.
In addition, the Lady Mocs will have two pairs of steady hands directing the offense. Senior Jenaya Wade-Frey, from Madison, Ala., led the team in steals last season and will be paired with the slick ball handling of senior Tagan Hatchett, from Acworth, Ga.
The Lady Mocs also return several key components that were lost to season ending injuries last year. These injuries forced Coach Moore to limit practice time.
Moore was only able to put nine able bodies on the court during practice, which included an assistant coach just to be able to scrimmage.
The Lady Mocs still found a way to win a tenth straight regular season SoCon championship.
The Lady Mocs will begin their quest to reach the Women's NCAA Tournament and its unprecedented 11th straight title in earnest on Nov. 13 against East Tennessee State in Johnson City, Tenn.
Their schedule includes challenges against non-conference powers Clemson and Georgia here in Chattanooga and a trip to Kentucky.
