Ball State University Athletics
Women?s Basketball Holds First Practice
October 10, 2011 | Women's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State University women's basketball team will hold its first practice this afternoon in preparation for the 2011-12 season.
"I am excited to officially begin the 2011-2012 season," said head women's basketball coach Kelly Packard. "Our six-week preseason conditioning/skill instruction window has been a display of energy, emotion, and expectation. I have sensed a healthy restlessness as we have awaited to officially prepare for our first competition."
Packard enters her fourth year at the helm of the Cardinals. Although she lost her leading scorer and rebounder last season Emily Maggert, Packard returns three seniors that saw favorable time last year in Megan Craft, Amber Crago and Suzanne Grossnickle.
Both Crago and Grossnickle were true freshmen that helped the Cardinals claim their first-ever NCAA Tournament victory as it handed Tennessee its only first round NCAA Tournament loss in program history. During the course of their freshmen season, Ball State won its third straight MAC West Division title and earned the school's first MAC Tournament.
The Cardinals also welcome back juniors Shanee' Jackson and Mercedes Miller, along with sophomores Jazmin Hitchens, Jordan Huber, Katie Murphy and Brandy Woody. Ball State welcomes newcomers Brittany Carter, Shelbie Justice, Jonessa Moore and Neschelle Williams to the program this year.
Exhibition play begins Thursday, Nov. 3 at home against St. Joseph College (Indiana) at 7 p.m., which will be followed by the home opener Friday, Nov. 11 versus Illinois State.
