September 11, 2003

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Home contests against two-time defending national champion Connecticut and NCAA participants Liberty, Old Dominion, Boston College, Miami and Villanova highlight the 2003-04 women's basketball schedule. The Hokies return eight letterwinners from last year's 22-10 squad which advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The 2002-03 schedule was one of the toughest in school history and included two meetings with Connecticut and 15 games against NCAA Tournament teams. This season's slate will be just as difficult featuring some of the top teams in the nation. The non-conference schedule will have home games against Miami (Ohio), Old Dominion, Maryland and Liberty. The Hokies will once again host the Lady Luck Classic featuring Wake Forest, Furman and Holy Cross.

The non-conference away schedule sends the Hokies to in-state rivals Virginia and James Madison as well as a first-ever meeting at Alabama. Tech will travel to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands to participate in the Paradise Jam. The tournament includes Mississippi State, Indiana and Iowa State.

"The non-conference schedule prepares us for the BIG EAST season and gives us some national exposure," said Virginia Tech head coach Bonnie Henrickson. "These games will give our young players a chance to obtain some valuable playing time against quality opponents that are similar to what they will face in the BIG EAST."

The BIG EAST Conference schedule will once again present the Hokies with the challenge of facing some of the top teams in the nation. The BIG EAST sent seven members to the 2003 NCAA Tournament and two others advanced to the WNIT. Tech's away opponents include Georgetown, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Providence, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Syracuse and West Virginia. The Hokies will host Boston College, Connecticut, Miami, Pittsburgh, Providence, St. John's, Seton Hall, and Villanova. The Pittsburgh contest on Feb. 28 will be the second half of a doubleheader with the Tech men's basketball team.

"The BIG EAST is a great league that continues to get better from top to bottom," Henrickson said. "Everyone in the league continues to improve and there is not a night when you can just show up and walk off with a victory. The balance and overall strength of the league continues to get better which enhances the conference's reputation around the nation."

Tech will play an exhibition game on Nov. 9 before officially opening the season at home on Nov. 21 against Miami (Ohio) at 7 p.m.