Meet Richmond-bound Alex Parson (Micaela's sis!)

We loved getting to know Richmond-bound Alex Parson (her sis, Micaela, is already a Spider), on Senior Night at Monacan High. Just like her UConn-bound teammate, Megan Walker, Alex is a huge Gray's Anatomy buff (Olivia Pope, too) and loves her pugs. Check out our video chat with her!

Happy Thanksgiving from Richmond!

Is that the Spiders practicing on Thanksgiving day? Hey, we understand. Tipoff against Central Michigan in the South Point Shootout in Las Vegas is at 8 p.m. Watch out for Crystal Bradford, and good luck Spiders!

Updated: Bilney sisters, Nichols, Wann share their memories of Ginny and Natalie

Our deepest sympathies go to the families of Ginny Doyle, Natalie Lewis and Daniel Kirk, whose lives were lost in a tragic hot air balloon crash on Saturday. Doyle, associate head coach under Michael Shafer, was the longest tenured assistant in the state. A Spider player for two years and an assistant for 15, she once held the NCAA Division I record for consecutive free throws made with 66.

Buffalo native Lewis, a former swimmer for the Spiders and two-time team captain, was in her second season as the team's director of operation. She and longtime sweetheart Michael Dougher became engaged in April.

Kirk was the balloon pilot.

LadySwish extends its sympathies to the entire Richmond team and coaches.

We offer recollections of Ginny and Natalie, who were remembered Wednesday morning by the Richmond community at an on-campus service. A more formal memorial service is planned for the fall.

We thank Samantha Bilney, Rachael Bilney, Amber Nichols and Becca Wann, both of whom graduated on Sunday, for sharing their memories with us.

Sam

From Samantha, who shared her thoughts in writing:

"I'm not sure I could ever have thanked Coach Doyle enough for how she impacted my life. She

introduced me and my family to the University of Richmond, something I would never have been able to find on my own. The experiences I had at UR will shape me forever, and I never would have known the school existed if it weren't for Coach Doyle. And I think that is one of the things that made her so special -- she gave kids all across the country a chance to change their lives! And she did it with the greatest  passion, love and the truest understanding of the game of basketball I have ever known. I will always remember the long talks, the banter, the jokes, and her smile. Her creaky knees, her sarcasm, and her heart. Forever happy she was teaching the game of basketball and forever happy I will be remembering all she taught me, on and off the court.

"Any time I have described Natalie I say, 'You know! The happy one with the beautiful smile!' And that is how I will always remember her. I knew of her as a swimmer and fellow student-athete at UR, but I got to know her when she joined our staff, and I am so gracious of our time together. I have truly never met someone who radiated such happiness. She brightened the world of those around her with her spirit and positivity. Her excitement for life was inspiring, as she embraced each day with energy and enthusiasm, and I think that is what I will always remember the most about her. We lost a stunning person but gained a radiant angel. 

"I will always love them both, and I will never forget the beautiful joy they brought to my life. I am honored and grateful to have known them and completely heartbroken to have lost them. My prayers are with the Lewis and Doyle families as well as all the Spiders that knew them. May we always cherish the true joy they leave in our memories."

Rachael

From Rachael, who shared her thoughts in writing: 

"I am forever indebted to Coach Doyle, as she was my lead contact and recruiter at Richmond. The conversations we shared will always remain special as she was a huge part of my decision to attend UR. She was also so much of why my time at school was so special. Coach Doyle was always goofy with the players. We pulled pranks, picked on each other and laughed relentlessly. We always joked with each other that you had to plan out at least 90 minutes if you were going to the coaches offices because, without fail, you would get caught up talking to Coach Doyle. She was so loved and respected by everyone at the school and beyond. I only hope to have the same reputation she acquired. Her legacy will live on . . . once a Spider, always a Spider.

"I had the honor of being in school with Natalie at the same time. Although I only got close to her when she was our director of operations, her bubbly personality and unwavering smile were well known by all. I can truly say I have never been around a person who simply glowed so naturally as Natalie. She radiated all day, every day. Her passion for life, people, her swim team and then the basketball program was palpable. Of course, her efforts with her job made her indispensible, but it was her love and compassion that we all appreciated so much more. The joy that Natalie had will long be missed, but I am so thankful to have had the chance to know her and more importantly learn from her. 

"Thank you, Natalie and coach Doyle, for everything. I love you both with all that I have. My heart is with your families and your memories will be with me forever."

From Amber: Ginny and Natalie were the last two people Amber saw when she left campus a week ago for an internship interview at a sports management company in California.

Amber

"Before I left, I was in Coach Doyle's office talking about my upcoming trip to Cali. Natalie came in and sat down with us and was telling us about the engagement party her mother and father had thrown for her. She was so excited. Her mom had taken 1,000 pictures of her and Michael. She was giving us the details of her engagement party."

Ginny told Amber to promise to text or call with details, and Natalie assured Amber she'd get the internship.

Amber was back from the trip when she saw the group text from Shafer telling the seniors about the accident. "My first thought was it wasn't fatal; maybe it got stuck in a tree. Then Olivia (Healy) texted me at 2:45 a.m. on Friday night and said they were missing. I broke down. My mom stayed up with me. On Saturday, coach Shafer explained what happened. Sunday was graduation, and it was really, really hard. We were with coach Shafer in person and we were about to take pictures, and he said to us that coach Doyle told him on Friday she was proud of us and told him she couldn't wait to see us graduate. She told him that she wanted us to enjoy this day and she wanted us to be happy. He told us, 'I know Natalie and Doyle want  you all to be happy, and this is a moment to celebrate.' It was inspiring. It was a really emotional moment for us."

"Coach Doyle was the one who reached out to my high school coach to recruit me. She was the one I always worked out with and she the one I reported my grades to every week. She was the coach I probably had the best relationship with, because I saw her the most. My freshman year, I remember I was struggling a little bit adjusting to the flow of the college game. She pulled me aside after practice and said, 'You have a lot of potential and I know you're having a tough time adjusting right now, but I wanted to let you know that I believe in you and if I didn't, I wouldn't have gone out of my way to recruit you.' She was that kind of person. When she saw you struggling, she tried to build your confidence up.

"This previous summer was my biggest memory of Coach Doyle. I worked every day with her by myself. Every day we would meet at 12:30 and do ballhandling workouts. We would laugh and she'd tell me I'd be getting drills quick. We'd laugh through the drills. I remember going through my old text messages and at the end of the workout she'd text me, 'You really did a good job today. You had a purpose. You're going to have a great season.' That fact that she cared so much about how I was improving spoke to her personality.

"We'd always talk about everything. Even when I'd go into her office for my grades for what should be a two-minute meeting, it would be 30 to 45 minutes. We would talk about everything. In California (during the season), we missed our flight to get back to Richmond. She ended up taking care of me and four of my teammates in the airport. She stayed up while we all slept. 

"She always cared. She always wanted details about what you were doing. That showed how much she cared. When I got the internship with the Redskins, most people brushed it off. She wanted to know details like, 'What are you doing?' and 'Do you like it?' and 'Who have you met?'

"Natalie came to us last year, and off the bat, she was smiling all the time. You could have the worst day of practice, you could have the worst mood, and Natalie would come in and smile and brighten everything up."

Becca

From Becca:

"Nat taught me to swim last summer. After basketball season ended, three days a week we would get in the pool, and she taught me all the strokes. It actually ended up helping me, because when I was frustrated, I would get in the pool as an outlet. Every Tuesday morning we would get up and we would swim.

"One day at practice I was struggling and I was sitting. I was upset I wasn't on the court, and I started crying. I didn't think anybody saw me. I left and gathered myself and came back in. We went down to lift and came back up an hour and a half later. Nat knows I love dried fruit. She left dried fruit and nuts with a note that said, 'Hope this dried fruit helps those wet eyes I saw this morning. xxx Nat.' That's her. She would do anything for anybody. She's the most thoughtful person.

Coach Doyle . . . I just remember sitting in her office for extended periods of time talking about nothing! This year with not playing I feel like I got to know all of the coaches, but especially Coach Doyle, on a different level. Coach Doyle is one of the funniest people you will meet. It's this dry humor. Our relationship was mostly banter. I'm not sure there were any actual compliments dished out. It was usually her picking on me and me picking right back. I started refing IM (intramural) basketball as an on-campus drive. I liked it, and the coaches would let me ref scrimmages in practice.  Coach Doyle would be one of the other refs. Her and Coach Shafer would give me the hardest time for refing. I"ll always remember that. I went to this A-10 refing clinic in Richmond. Immediately afterward I went to Coach Doyle's office and she asked me how it was. For an hour I told her about all the dumb stuff I did. She texted me after that and said, 'I'm sitting here laughing at the stories you told me about your refing.' She would pounce on any opportunity to give me a hard time, which I loved. We definitely had a unique player-coach relationship in that manner, but I loved it."

On graduation day: "For me it was a balancing act. I went to church that morning and I walked in the door and sobbed for probably an hour and a half. I had gotten Nat a ticket to come. But I realized both of them would kill me if they knew I was crying on my graduation day. They would be like, 'You worked four years for this. You're just going to cry it away?' I put my big girl panties on for them. We had a moment of silence for them, and I sat there in my cap and gown with tears streaming down my face. It came in waves. I saw the swimmers who were graduates and they had their caps decorated like we did. We just cried. Sunday for me -- there were times I celebrated my graduation, but it was very up and down. It was also Mother's Day. Afterward, I went to dinner with my mother and in the restaurant there was a five-minute news story on them, and I started crying. It doesn't go away, but at the same day I want to honor them with the way they'd want me to be, and sad is not anywhere close to that."



For more memories, read Mel Greenberg's blog here.

Postcard from Richmond's Brittani Shells

Greetings from former Richmond point guard Brittani Shells, who is playing professionally in Israel. Shells playing for Eulizer Holon (1-5), shoots a team-best 51 percent and averages 12 ppg, 3.4 apg and 2.6 spg. The other Americans on the team are Tahnee Robinson (Connecticut Sun, Nevada), Tierney Jenkins (Alabama) and Shayla Scott (Pitt).

Israel is wonderful. There are four Americans on each team, so it is easier to adjust. Since I am a Christian, I had to go to Jerusalem, the Holy Land. I think that was the highlight of my being here thus far. 

There are a few things that have been a bit challenging, such as food. They don't do pork, so it's tough, but they have a few American spots where many American players go and connect and eat. I am the point guard over here, so it's been an adjustment as far as leading a team, understanding the flow of the game, seeing the floor, knowing when to score and when to pass, but I have a patient coach who is helping me, and is confident in me which is always important. Also, playing against tough competition day in and day out, playing against girls who are in the league or who have been there already is fun. I believe I've matured a lot since I've been out here, both, spiritually, mentally and physically. I get to come home for the holidays for a few days. That is another adjustment -- not seeing your family, only through Skype, but I love it!

I am living my dream!.

Love,

Brittani

Richmond/W&M highlight Monday Night basketball

Monday's games:

William and Mary at Richmond, 7 pm: The Spiders play their oldest rival, coach Michael Shafer's alma mater, in tonight's home opener. Both teams cruised in their openers, leaving us with a tough decision to make in picking this one. W&M game notes don't suggest that Taysha Pye will be playing tonight, as she continues to be suspended for a violation of team rules. Janine Aldridge, Emily Correal and Jaclyn McKenna fueled W&M's offensive attack against Cornell that included 11 3s, but given this one is in the Robins Center, we like Richmond. Barely. Richmond 77, W&M 69

Virginia (1-0) at Providence (0-1), 7 pm: Boyle and the 'Hoos take the show on the road for the first time. Funny thing is these teams have played once, in an NCAA East Regional Semifinal in Norfolk, of all places. (Cavs beat Providence and then went on to beat Tennessee in OT to advance to its first Final Four). This occasion isn't nearly as monumental. We suspect Virginia will improve to 2-0, though. The Friars, picked to finish 14th in the 16-team Big East, were beaten by Boston University in their season opener. Virginia 81, Providence 65

Two sports, one Becca, no problem

My daughter Jasmine, now a sophomore at Tufts University, doesn't play college sports. Vicki's kids, Harry (high school) and Ben (middle school) haven't made it to college yet. Diana Taurasi is out of eligibility.

So Richmond's Becca Wann is my favorite college athlete.

I'll confess, part of it is because of the name. Becca Wann. It's up there with Destiny Spence in my personal pantheon of super-cool athlete names. But the main reason I'm bullish on Becca is because she continues to do something I wasn't sure anyone would have much luck trying to do - play soccer and basketball at the Division I level. The NCAA claims it doesn't compile lists of two-sport athletes, but I'm not sure Becca isn't the only D-I doing this particular double. And doing it well, too - Wann was recently named the Atlantic 10's women's soccer Offensive Player of the Year.

So fascinated am I by this pursuit that I spent the fall faithfully following Spiders women's soccer - and I don't even like soccer (sorry, Becca). Unfortunately, that's over now as on Monday, Richmond got screwed (my word, not Becca's) out of an NCAA Tournament bid. But while it's the 2011 sports climax for her soccer teammates, it's essentially the halftime break in Becca's athletic year. And when the Spiders tip off at Navy in Friday's women's basketball season opener, Becca's two-sport beat starts up all over again.

Did you watch the women's soccer selection show?

Actually, I was at basketball practice.

Figures. But how could you concentrate on basketball at a time like that?

Honestly, when I started I was doing drills and I had asked my soccer coach to run in the door if we were still playing. But as the practice went on, I just started focusing on basketball and I really didn't think about (the soccer) too much.

So, are you ready for hoops?

Well, this year was kind of different because I was definitely more focused on soccer. I hadn't picked up a basketball in like three months before (Monday). So it was like a whole new world for me. But Coach (Michael Shafer) understood. I just concentrated on doing the little things I know I can do, and already being in shape obviously helps.... It's a tough transition, but it's definitely one I can make.

Speaking of Coach Shafer, what's the main difference between the basketball coach and his soccer counterpart, Peter Albright?

The respect level is the same for both of them, but personality-wise, Coach Albright is more like a big teddy bear, and coach Shafer is more business-like, more like a typical head coach. With Coach Albright, just the way the team is run, it's more buddy-buddy.

If you could bring one of your soccer teammates onto the basketball team with you, which one would it be?

That's funny, because I actually coached my soccer team in (intramural) basketball, and they're all terrible.... Hmmm... I'd probably have to say Mooks (Melissa Alvarez Freeman). I think she played basketball in high schools. Yeah, I'd take Mooks.

How about a basketball player for your soccer team?

Rachael or Sam (the Bilney twins), definitely. Apparently they were pretty good in soccer in high school, and I've kicked the ball around with them here. Rachael can juggle better than I can.

The first person you called upon learning you were A-10 Offensive Player of the Year was -

My parents (Eric and Debbie). I called them as soon as I got in my room. My mom might have cried a little.

Anyone call you Rebecca?

No one, except my mom sometimes when I'm in trouble.

On those rare occasions when you're not involved with soccer, basketball or schoolwork, what are you doing?

Napping, or just hanging out with my teammates. I also do a lot of stuff with my church (Christian Life Worship Center). That's one of the main reasons I came to Richmond, to stay connected to my church.

You chose Richmond because of the church?

Well, there were three things I was looking for in a college, and I wasn't going to settle for anything less - I wanted to play soccer and basketball, Division I, and I wanted to keep going to my church.

Must be a pretty special place.

My family was there the first Sunday it started, eight or nine years ago, and we've watched it grow from about 30 people to 100. I just wouldn't be the person I am without that church and the people there that support me.

You're the star of the soccer team; you come off the bench in basketball. Is that tough on the ego?

It is a little difficult, especially this year. But I'm a firm believer that every role on the team is important, and I'm hoping to build on mine as the season progresses.

I understand you like the TV show "Glee."

I like the songs in Glee.

Wait a minute. How do find time to watch TV?

DVR is a wonderful thing.

So do you sing along with the Glee people?

I sing in my car. Before I came to college, I used to sing in the church. Now I just sing in the car.

What kind of music are you into?

Country. Like Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum...and somebody you probably have heard of, Francesca Battastelli, I really like her. Oh, and Justin Bieber.

Really? I thought all his fans were about 12 years old.

No! He's awesome. I love the movie, love his songs...they're on my gameday playlist.

Guess you can find Beliebers everywhere. Finally, I know you've only been on the team for about 15 minutes, but what's your outlook on Spiders women's hoops this season?

Well, we're really young, but that's almost a blessing in disguise because we're all kind of learning together, growing together. We're definitely going to be good in the future. And under the leadership of Abby and Sam and Rachael, I think we'll be good this year, too.

Twin on Twin: Richmond's Bilney on Bilney

Rachael

Samantha

Who knows Rachael Bilney better than Sam Biley, and who knows Sam Bilney better than Rachael?

No one, we figured, so in addition to asking each Richmond twin to talk about herself, we asked her for some insight on the other (after all, they're are roommates whose cell phone numbers are a digit apart and they're finally going to be real teammates -- you know the kind that play on the floor at the same time? You see for the first time since the beginning of their freshman year, both redshirt juniors are healthy.

Is that sound Spiders coach Michael Shafer knocking on wood?

Sam: Rachael and I have played on the same team since we were 7 (they hail from Mill Valley, Calif). The whole point of getting recruited together was to play together. It's awesome to have that dream fulfilled and really start moving into playing together. I'm so excited. I've really been looking forward to it for a long time. The past couple of seasons, it's been heartbreaking.

Can we tell you apart? Well, yeah, they're fraternal (born May 24, 1990)....

Sam: She has straight brown hair and brown eyes and I'm a bit taller. (Sam, a blond, stands 6-foot. Rachael is 5-10).

When they argue ..... which is hardly ever by the way ....

Sam: I'm no good. I would lose everything. We've got an uncle and a grandpa, and they're lawyers. Rachael's got the passion to give a really good closing. I'm no good to argue with.

Sam on Rachael's favorite color: She's pink and I'm blue.

Sam on Rachael's favorite collectible: Purses. Last year in the room we shared, we decorated the walls with purses.We went to the outlets and found a great deal on a Coach. I don't know how many (purses) she has. Technically I have three, but only ever use two.

Sam on growing up Bilney: We're the only two kids in our family. We played a lot of dress up. We played with Beanie Babies, general store, pet store games. Our parents were really good about having us go outside and use our imagination.

Sam on Rachael's perfect day: She'd probably relax, take a breath. She likes outdoors and sunshine. We're both beach people.

Sam on the future: "We're not the freaky twins who have to be together all the time. Once we graduate we'll pursue opportunities we each want. We joke one day we'll be neighbors. I'm a marketing major. I'd love to work in an ad agency as an account executive.

Rachael on Sam: Sam's the cool, patient one. I'm the emotional hothead. Sam is definitely the responsible one. When I know I mess up, she gives me one of those looks and I usually don't handle it so well.

Rachael on Sam's sense of humor: She laughs at everything you say.

Rachael on Sam's favorite food (Sam couldn't tell us Rachael's): I wouldn't be able to tell you my favorite food, either. She loves ho tdogs; I know that.

Rachael on Sam's perfect day: That would have to be at our grandparents' lake house up in Michigan.

That's Rachael

Rachael on Sam the player: We're both long and lanky and we've played together so long and been coached by the same people so long, our basketball IQ and our fundamentals are similar. Sam is much more the type of player who is the glue to the team. You're not necessarily going to see her score 16 points. But you go watch the tape and look at the stats and see she's all over. .... Who knows how I play? I haven't played in a while. I'm more of a shooter. That's usually the first thing that comes out of people's mouths.

That's Sam

Rachael on playing together .... after so long: Sam and I haven't talked about it. We're not talking about it, not jinxing it. We're just want to have fun. The whole point of coming here was to get a great education and to play basketball together. In three yeas we've played very few games together. Sam has torn her ACL four times. She shouldn't be walking. She's had five major surgeries since our sophomore year of high school.

Rachael on her own ACL tear last fall: I learned watching Sam deal with it. She's just relentless. She's persistent, determined.

Rachael on her future: I'm a double major journalism and communication. I 've had two internships with TV stations and worked at the speech center at our school. I'm interested in public relations. Grad school is something probably in the books for both of us.

Rachael on other cool twins: Ashley and Courtney Paris. They're the nicest best girls. They made it playing together their whole lives and they're been best friends the whole way. I can't remember if it was Courtney or Ashley who used to joke around with us about having our own network on TV called "Twin Vision."

We'd tune in. Thanks, Bilneys. Can't wait to see both of you on the court for the Spiders, who open 11/11/11 at Navy.

A few minutes with Richmond's Abby Oliver

Throughout her first three seasons at Richmond, Spiders sharpshooter Abby Oliver was content to leave the vocal leadership to the other guys. But now there are no other guys - Although redshirt juniors Sam and Rachael Bilney match her in time in the program, Oliver is the lone senior on a squad with six sophomores and five freshmen. As she gears up for her final season, Oliver talked about Richmond's new breed and her role in getting the newcomers up to speed.

First of all, just want to say that we love your name. Abby Oliver. Great jock name. Really rolls off the tongue. Do you have a nickname?

Not really. Sometimes, Sam Bilney calls me Abigail.

Do you mind?

It's OK. I prefer Abby.

So do we. Now, about being a team leader....

Well, it feels kind of weird being the only senior. But I really just need to lead by example, be someone (the underclassmen) can look up to, someone to show them how things are done. Help them with the concepts. Because we're going to really need to rely on those guys.

It wasn't that long ago that you were a freshman. What do you remember about adjusting?

Well, I played point guard, and when Kara (Powell) got hurt I had to learn to play right away. The hardest thing for me was handling the pressure up front and calling out the play at the same time, timing it so you could get the team into the offense. Wasn't easy.

Let's play word association with the Spiders freshman. I'll name a player, you give me the first word that pops into your head. Start with Liz Brown.

Crazy.

Hmmm... How 'bout Amber Battle?

Dancer.

Yazmean Burgess?

Quiet.

Miah Register?

Uh.....

We'll get back to her. How 'bout Kerri Soppe?

Quiet, but she can surprise you with some of the things she says. She'll just come out of nowhere with something that's funny.

That's way too many words.

OK, funny. Surprisingly funny.

Two words, but we'll take that. Now, back to Miah....

How 'bout "tough."

Perfect. Now you've got to explain that "crazy" for Liz Brown.

She likes to dance and sing...she's just one of those teammates that makes you laugh.

Sounds like a fun group. But how much basketball talent are we talking about?

A lot of talent. Liz has surprised me a lot. She's a great rebounder and will spread the floor. Miah's a good point guard that will be aggressive and attack. Kerri's a really good shooter and knows a lot about the game. Yaz, she has a lot of good post moves and just needs to learn to have more confidence in herself and use those moves. Amber is a post with a great outside shot. Overall, I've been really impressed with them.

OK, now what about you. Is Abby Oliver bringing anything new to the floor this season?

I've been working a lot on attacking off the dribble, trying to get my own shot. I'm working on stepbacks, coming off screens and shooting right away...pump fake, jab step and getting by your defender. Things like that.

Give us one thing Coach (Michael) Shafer says all the time.

This year, he's always saying "We can do more than we think we can do." 

What's your best Richmond basketball memory?

My freshman year, when we went deep into the Atlantic 10 tournament. In the (semifinals) we beat Dayton, came from like 19 down. That was great.

Same thing happened last year at Duquesne. The Spiders have played a lot of exciting games during your time there, and have won more than their share. So how come more fans don't come to see you play?

Good question. If I knew the answer to that.... I'd love to get more fans in here. Especially students.

You've been described as a gym rat, an extremely hard worker who puts a ton of time into hoops. True?

True.

So tell me three things you like to do that have nothing to do with basketball.

Let's see. I like spending time with family and friends. I love watching all sports - basketball, of course, but I also love football. Besides the Richmond Spiders I'm a big UNC fan. My father (Dick Oliver) played there and my brother went there, so I've always liked the Tar Heels. And I love going to the beach.

Still friends with any of your high school teammates from those great Hidden Valley teams?

Oh, yeah. I stay in touch with Abby Redick, Kylee Beecher, Kayla Osborne, Amanda Crotty, Abby Boggs. We had three Abbys on the team my junior year.

Finally, a lot of people on the outside are going to figure Richmond lost Brittani (Shells) and Crystal (Goring) and have all these kids, so it's probably going to be a tough year. You're on the inside. What does it look like from there?

Well, when people talk about inexperience, they see a lot of negatives. To me, I see a lot of positives. We're really talented, and having fresh faces, I think, will be good for us. And just because you're young, it doesn't mean you're going to have a bad year. I remember Rutgers in 2007. They had no seniors and five freshmen and went all the way to the (NCAA) final. I think we're really going to surprise people.

Richmond's Shells slated for Israeli team

We're always happy to be writing about Brittani Shells. Richmond's now-you-see-her, now-you-don't point guard was as fun a player to watch as any in the country last year, just one of the reasons we're delighted she'll be continuing her playing career in Israel.

Shells will be playing for Eulizer Holon, whose first game is Oct. 17.

"I have no idea what to expect," Shells said. "However I know Israel is where a number of WNBA players play, so I am fortunate to get an opportunity to play against some great competition. People who played there in the past say it is an easy adjustment to living and that I would love it. ...I  am constantly working out and getting stronger and better, so I can compete at a higher level. I'm pretty excited, yet nervous, but for any Christian, it's a blessing because this is God's chosen place ... the holy land."

Shells is right about WNBA players finding a place there. Former Virginia Tech star Kerri Gardin (Connecticut Sun, too) led the team last year, averaging 16.8 ppg and 12.7 rpg. Also on last year's squad: Edwina Brown (Texas), Sherri Sam (Vanderbilt) and Shannon Bobbitt (Tennessee).

Former ODU star Tay Ransburg also played for Eulizer Holon for one season.

Virginia is the state's sole survivor in the WNIT

VCU and Richmond ended their seasons on Thursday with first-round losses in the WNIT. That leaves Virginia as the lone state survivor in the tournament; the Cavaliers move on to play Loyola-Maryland, which dispatched Old Dominion on Wednesday behind a buzzer beater.

Virginia 69, Morgan State 56
As glad as we are that Debbie Ryan is going to be coaching another game, we're disappointed by one statistic in this box score, and that is attendance. A mere 1,124 turned out at John Paul Jones Arena for what could be the final game for Ryan in Charlottesville (the arena is hosting first and second NCAA Tournament rounds this weekend). The idea of Ryan finishing up her coaching days in the WNIT is disturbing enough, but this was an occasion that could have allowed the longtime Cavalier fans to show appreciation for the woman who molded the program for the last 34 years. We would have liked to have seen Virginia against Old Dominion here -- Wendy Larry and Debbie Ryan coaching on court for the last time -- but the Lady Monarchs lost to a Loyola team that had never won a postseason game. Cavs travel to Loyola for a 4 p.m. Sunday contest at Reitz Arena. We'd love to see them win another for Debbie.

St. Joseph's 72, VCU 66
Courtney Hurt scored 26 and Andrea Barbour had16, but the Rams couldn't overcome a 51 percent shooting effort by the Hawks (20-11). While this obviously isn't the result Beth Cunningham wanted, we have to think she's pretty pleased with a season that included a sweep of ODU and a loss to JMU in the CAA Tournament semifinals. Next year Hurt and Barbour are back, so watch out for the Rams (19-12).

UNC Wilmington 63, Richmond 54
We don't want to keep harping on attendance -- this is the WNIT -- but we hate that Brittani Shells and Crystal Goring played their final games as Spiders in front of 249. Richmond came in 4-0 versus CAA opponents this season, but the veteran-laden Seahawks muscled their way to a second round game against Eastern Michigan, taking advantage of 32 Richmond turnovers. Wilmington went to the line 27 times; Richmond (18-12) went there 11. As much as we like that the WNIT allows good teams to continue their seasons, some teams cannot muster up the fight to keep going. Shells ends her career as Richmond's second all-time leading scorer (2,042 points) and No. 1 in steals (300).

Richmond falls to Charlotte

Charlotte 73, Richmond 62
They played this one early as part of Dream Big Day for the Richmond schools, but this was anything but a dream for the Spiders (13-7, 4-2 A-10), who dropped their second straight. Jennifer Hailey unleashed 26 points and 14 rebounds for the 49ers. Abby Oliver (21 points) gave Richmond a 55-52 edge at the 7:23 mark, but Charlotte (16-5, 4-2) ran off 11 straight to steal this one back. Brittani Shells, who had an off shooting night on Saturday against Dayton, had another ragged effort, scoring 15 on 7-of-23 shooting. Crystal Goring put in a second consecutive consistent effort (14 points, 11 boards, 4 steals), but Charlotte dominated the paint, outscoring Richmond 52-28.

Richmond's Shells on the fast track

Brittani Shells, preseason Atlantic 10 second team selection?

It doesn't exactly ring, does it?

That didn't sit too well with the Richmond senior, the leading returning scorer in the conference, either.

"Was that motivation?" asked Shells, whose Spiders (4-3) tackle No. 12 Georgetown (5-1) on Wednesday night. "I'm trying to choose my words wisely. It was very disappointing to know that I gave the A-10 everything I had and to know I was selected second team. I was shocked. But I'm not playing for accolades; I'm playing to win. I'm just going to play hard and whatever they decide, they decide."

We don't know if the snub fueled Shells' fast start or not, but nobody is overlooking her these days. Averaging 21.4 ppg, she is shooting 50 percent from the field and has nailed 25 of her 30 free throws. She set a new career high of 34 points in the Spiders' opener against Western Carolina and has already nabbed conference Player of the Week honors.

"It's a different story when it's your last year," she said. "A lot of people say play every game like it's your last because you never know. But this is really it. It's my senior year. I've never gone to the NCAAs. Ever. I can only go on other people's experiences, but I know it's a great thing. That's why you play college basketball.. And that's what I want to do. I want to win and take this team as far as it can go."

Richmond hasn't beaten a ranked opponent since  the 2008-09 season. Let's hope that changes tonight.