Indiana University Athletics
IU Set for Exhibition Matchup with Hoosier Lady Stars
10/31/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Oct. 31, 2005
Hoosier Lady Stars Notes
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HOOSIER HEADLINES
•Indiana begins the exhibition portion of its schedule when it takes on the Hoosier Lady Stars on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
•Fifth-year senior Jenny DeMuth returns to the Hoosier line up after redshirting last season due to a knee injury. DeMuth led the 2003-04 Hoosiers in scoring and rebounding with 18.3 ppg and 7.7 rpg.
• Head coach Sharon Versyp is in her first season with IU. Versyp arrived in April after serving as the head coach of the University of Maine for five years.
NEW ERA
A new era has begun in 2005-06 as Sharon Versyp takes over the Indiana women's basketball program. Versyp is the seventh head women's basketball coach in the 34-year history of the program. Her coaching career includes seven years as an Indiana high school coach, four years as a Division I assistant coach and most recently five years as the head coach at the University of Maine. She led Maine to three straight America East regular season championships (2003, 04, 05), the 2004 America East Tournament title and a trip to the 2004 NCAA Tournament.
MOVING ON UP
Seniors Jenny DeMuth, Angela Hawkins, Cyndi Valentin and junior Sarah McKay have already etched their names and are on the rise in the IU record books this season.
Both DeMuth and Valentin could easily move into the top-10 scoring performance list in their final season with the Hoosiers. Most recently, Valentin reached the 1,000 point mark on Jan. 20, 2005 vs. then No. 3/4 Ohio State. Valentin became the 19th player in Indiana history to accomplish the feat and just the ninth to do so during her junior year. The Bloomington, Ind., native currently sits at 13th overall in the all-time scoring list with 1,160 points. Valentin also sits in fourth place in three-point percentage with a .360 (124-of-344) career average.
DeMuth notched her 1,000th point on Feb. 19, 2004 vs. Michigan. Like Valentin, DeMuth also accomplished the feat during her junior campaign. The Highland, Ind., product ranks 16th on the scoring chart with 1,088 career points. DeMuth also sits at third in free throw attempts (489), fourth in free-throws made (364), and sixth in steals (169).
In addition, Hawkins and McKay, are up and coming on Indiana's all-time blocked shot lists with 90 and 80, respectively. Hawkins also ranks 10th in career rebounding (608).
VERSYP CLOSING IN ON 100TH CAREER WIN
With just two more wins this season, head coach Sharon Versyp will earn her 100th-career victory. The first-year head coach at IU has compiled a record of 98-51. When she accomplishes the feat, she will become just the second IU coach to earn their 100th career victory while coaching at Indiana. Jim Izard, who coached the Hoosiers from 1989-2000, is the only other coach to do this. Izard is also IU's all-time winningest coach with a 188-159 record.
LOADED WITH HOOSIERS
Eight members of the Indiana women's basketball team hail from the Hoosier state. This is the second-most in school history as the 1990-91 roster featured nine players from Indiana. Not only does the team feature many players from around the state, but six of them are also former Indiana All-Stars (Brigett Branson-Turkey Run; Jenny DeMuth-Highland; Tara Miller-North Harrison; Kim Roberson-Cathedral; Carrie Smith-Brebeuf Jesuit; and Cyndi Valentin-Bloomington South).
IT AIN'T EASY
Indiana will not have it easy as far as their schedule goes this season. Not only are they one of only two schools in the nation (Oklahoma is the other) to play both the 2005 NCAA defending national champion Baylor and the runner-up Michigan State during the regular season, but they also take on a total of 12 opponents that advanced to post-season play in 2004-05, including nine in the NCAA and three in the WNIT.
It marks only the second time in IU history that the Hoosiers will play the national champion from the previous season. The last time this happened was in 2000, when Indiana played the 1999 NCAA champion, Purdue.
NEXT GAME
The Hoosiers will conclude their exhibition schedule when they host NAIA opponent Brescia University on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. at Branch McCracken Court at Assembly Hall.
IU's first regular season home game is on Saturday, Nov. 19 vs. the defending national champion, Baylor. Game time will follow the IU vs. Purdue football game (game time still to be determined).
