RALEIGH, NC — Lifting the lid on the 2008-09 women's basketball campaign, second-year head coach Sarah Jurewicz knew the foremost task was replacing two of the team's top five scorers from the previous four years.
Under the wings of Katie Gregorevich and Ali Rohlfs, junior Stephanie Boardman (Cincinnati, Ohio/McAuley)learned her trade, showcasing her rise as the Tigers' premier post player with a 29-point outburst in a season opening 95-66 victory over Salem (NC) College in the first round of the Jackie Ammons Memorial Tournament at Peace College.
Exceeding her career high by six points, Boardman poured in 18 in the first stanza en route to a Tigers 46-33 lead at the intermission. Joining Boardman with an impressive season-opening outing, sophomore Katherine Hueter (Columbus, Ohio/Hilliard Darby) tallied 16 points to go along with 11 rebounds for the double-double. On the night, the Tigers outrebounded the NCAA Division III Independent program by a staggering 66-31 margin.
Senior Katie Gardner (Newark, Ohio/Catholic) led the way with a team-best six assists, while piling up three steals, five points and three rebounds. Junior Elise Jenkins (Elida, Ohio/Elida) stuffed the stat box with a similar line - eight points, seven rebounds, two assists and a steal.
The win moves the Tigers into the title game of the Jackie Ammons Memorial Tournament to face either host-Peace College or Wesleyan (Ga.) College.
Written By: Ben Bradley, SID Assistant