NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Privateers women's basketball team will open the 2013-14 season at cross-town rival Tulane on Friday, November 8. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. at Devlin Fieldhouse.
The trip to Tulane starts an exciting month of November for the Privateers, as the team will follow Friday's game with the home opener on Thursday, Nov. 14 versus Grambling State. After the home contest, the team will travel to Mississippi State on Nov. 17, before returning to the Lakefront Arena to take on Jacksonville State on Nov. 23. New Orleans closes out the month at Louisiana Tech on Nov. 29.
"We are excited about opening up our season at Tulane. We are excited to play a game, mainly to test and see our hard work that we have put in since June will pay off," said
Keeshawn Davenport, head women's basketball coach. "It is a new start – a new year for all of us and I know the team is looking forward to playing an opponent other than themselves."
The Privateers enter this season with 6 returning student-athletes, including a pair of sophomores in
Yasmin Taylor and
Mathilde Fogelstrom. Taylor leads all returning players in field goal percentage by shooting 45.7 percent from the field last season, while Fogelstrom led the team in blocks with 29 as a true freshman.
"We have a lot to be excited about this season and we are looking forward to get underway," said
Keeshawn Davenport, head women's basketball coach. "Our roster features a healthy mix of returnees and newcomers. As a staff, we are eager to start our season this week."
The Privateers also feature seniors
Amber Clay and
Samantha Gray, whom each played in at least 25 games last season. Clay had an average of 5.4 rebounds per game last season, while Gray had 38 assists to go along with 17 steals in her junior campaign.
In addition to Clay and Gray, the Privateers also return sophomores
Melissa Jensen and
Hayley Alexander. Jensen only played in two games last season before suffering a season-ending injury, while Alexander appeared in 21 games off the bench.
New Orleans and Tulane will tip-off at 6 p.m. on Friday night.
