JACKSON, Tenn. - 1/6/2010 - NAIA No. 1 Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ (Tenn.) University completed the non-conference portion of their schedule with a 13-1 record. Their only blemish was a seven point loss to No. 2 St. Xavier (Ill.). Of the 14 non-conference teams that Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ has played, 12 of the opponents are ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA rankings. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ is 11-1 in those games, including a 3-1 record versus top 10 teams and a 7-1 mark against teams in the top-25.
"We have played well in spurts but have only had one complete game up to this point," said Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ head coach Mark Campbell. "Consistency from top to bottom is the goal and we are coming together in purpose. Hopefully, in the next two months we can put it all together."
"I have not been surprised by any one individual but I am proud of the eagerness our players have demonstrated towards each other. I do not know what "our very best" looks like up to this point."
Coach Campbell feels this year will be no different during conference play, "It looks like the conference might be even a little deeper this year with the pre-conference season performances of Lyon, Cumberland and Martin Methodist. It ought to be another great year for the TranSouth."
Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ extended their NAIA No. 1 ranking streak to 28 straight rankings covering three seasons. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ also extended their home winning streak to 50 games. Senior guard Kaitlin Dudley was named as the preseason TranSouth Player of the Year. She leads Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ with 16 points per game and entering the first conference game of the year, is just 19 points shy of 2,000 for her career.
Three other Lady Bulldogs, Sara Chan, Kayla Hudson and Jessica Graves are on pace to reach the 1,000 point career marks by the season's end.
On Thursday, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ opens conference play with No. 22 Bethel (Tenn.). While putting their 50-game home winning streak on the line, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ will be working toward a fourth straight TranSouth title.
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| Steven Aldridge Phone: (731) 661-5027 |
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