Oct. 14, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford women's basketball team opened practice for the 2006-07 season with a two-hour workout Saturday morning in Seibert Hall.

"I thought we had a good day, not a great day," Samford head coach Mike Morris said. "We had a great deal of enthusiasm and energy. I thought our four captains, Chelsee Insell, Alex Munday, Veronica Pike and Tish Pilkerton set a good tone we need to continue throughout all of our practices."

Samford returns four of five starters and eight of its top 10 scorers from last season. Munday, who led the team in scoring (14.7 ppg.) and rebounding (5.6 rpg.) last season, returns to the starting lineup along with seniors Insell, Pike and Pilkerton, and junior Taryn Towns.

Samford is the preseason favorite to win the Ohio Valley Conference. Last season, Samford posted a program-record 21 wins and a conference record of 15-5, as the Bulldogs reached the semifinals of the OVC Tournament for the first time.

The Bulldogs will practice again Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m., and Monday at 12:00 p.m. due to fall break. The majority of the Bulldogs' preseason practices will be held at 3:30 p.m.

Samford will play an exhibition game on Nov. 6 at 5:00 p.m. against North Alabama at Seibert Hall. The Bulldogs open the regular season at Alabama on Nov. 10 at 5:00 p.m.