Lady Flames open season against Spartans
After weeks of preparation, the Lady Flames will officially kick off their 2011-12 season on Nov. 11 against the UNC-Greensboro Spartans. Their last meeting was in 2009 where the Lady Flames defeated the Spartans, 60-42.
According to Libertyflames.com, the Lady Flames have made an appearance in CollegeInsider.com Women’s Mid-Major Top 25 preseason poll for their second consecutive season. They will start their season against UNC-Greensboro with the ranking of No. 20.
The Lady Flames’ will have four of their starters return from the 2010-11 season. Among the four includes the Big South Preseason Player of the Year, redshirt senior center Avery Warley.
Although the Lady Flames are returning four of their starters from last season, they will have to open this year without sophomore point guard Emily Frazier.
“We’ve had some injuries and things that continue to throw us off as far as preparing,” Lady Flames head coach Carey Green said. “So it’s always some challenges that we have in front of us but we’ll be prepared for the game. You have to be prepared to face the challenges that the game may bring up from an unknown opponent. We’ll be prepared in every aspect and in all aspects of the game to be successful.”
Although Frazier is not expecting to play in the game against UNC-Greensboro, Coach Green has prepared back up freshman Reagan Miller and senior Danika Dale, both Texas natives, to transition in the point guard position for the Lady Flames.
“I’ll be sharing the point guard time with Reagan until Emily gets back,” Dale said. “Hopefully I will be focused to be that leader. I’m more aggressive than before. I’ve been pushed to the extent of doing more than what I was asked to do.”
Miller, a graduate from Sanger High School, will be among the five freshmen to play in their first collegiate game against UNC-Greensboro.
“I’m very excited, but nervous at the same time,” Miller said.
After facing UNC-Greensboro, the Lady Flames will return to face Virginia Commonwealth University on Nov. 15 as the first of their 14 home games.