NOTRE2006-07 SEASON DAME PREVIEW

After spending her

first two seasons

mainly as

Notre Dame’s

top reserve,

junior guard

Charel Allen

will be called

upon to take a

larger role in the

Irish offense this

season.

2006-07 Season Preview I Irish Hope Lessons Learned will Bear Fruit in 2006-07 Eight veterans return from last year’s 18-12 squad to lead Notre Dame into its 30th anniversary season

Anniversaries are a time for cele- points in Notre Dame’s NCAA R bration and recognition of past Tournament first-round loss to Boston accomplishments. As the Notre Dame College. women’s basketball team enters its The 6-0 native of Bartlett, Ill., also 30th season in 2006-07, the Irish take proved to be strong on the boards as I time to recall the proud tradition of well, leading the Irish in rebounding success they have developed. It’s one with 5.4 caroms per night, including that includes a national championship three double-digit rebounding games. in 2001 and two NCAA Final Four trips In addition to those scoring and (1997 and 2001), not to mention six rebounding abilities, she posed numer- S NCAA Sweet 16 appearances, 13 NCAA ous match-up problems for opponents Tournament bids and top-10 rankings with her size and versatility, whether in seven of the past 10 years. Notre firing from the perimeter or toiling on Dame also has collected 20-or-more the blocks. Following a strong off-sea- H wins in 20 of their 29 seasons (includ- son development program that ing 12 of the past 13 years) and has included a stint at the 2006 USA averaged nearly 25 wins per year in Basketball Under-20 National Team the past decade (1996-97 through Trials, Schrader should provide a sig- 2005-06). nificant piece of the puzzle for Notre So it comes as no surprise that not Dame’s fortunes during the upcoming one single member of the Irish was year. pleased with the results of the 2005-06 Meanwhile, Allen showed continued season. To be sure, there were high- progress throughout last season, lights during the 18-12 campaign, despite missing much of the preceding including an 11th consecutive NCAA summer while recovering from surgery Tournament berth, three wins over to repair a torn anterior cruciate liga- ranked opponents, a 9-2 regular-sea- ment in her left knee, an injury she suf- son non-conference record and a late- fered in the 2005 NCAA Tournament. season four-game winning streak that The 5-11 Monessen, Pa., product has fit helped boosted Notre Dame’s post- nicely into the role of “sixth man” for season resume. But when looking the Irish during her first two collegiate back on last year, one word consis- seasons, averaging more than eight tently comes from the lips of the Irish points and four rebounds per game players and coaches — unacceptable. while coming off the bench in all but College is sometimes referred to as one of 63 games to date. She also has “higher education.” This season, scored in double figures 23 times thus Notre Dame will look to take the les- Sophomore guard Lindsay Schrader was Notre Dame’s second-leading far, including a career-high 14 times sons it learned from last season and scorer last year and was the squad’s top rebounder, averaging 10.5 points during her sophomore campaign. turn them into a successful future, and 5.4 rebounds per game in 2005-06. A lithe wing player who has no hesi- adding to a legacy that is now three tation about driving the lane and bat- decades in the making. return, including two of the team’s top four tling with larger opposition, Allen also has a • • • scorers in sophomore guard Lindsay strong perimeter game in her arsenal, a fea- The Irish certainly have the foundation in Schrader (10.5 points per game) and jun- ture that was honed even more during the place for great things in 2006-07. Eight ior guard Charel Allen (8.5 ppg.). summer months. What’s more, she has monogram winners are back in the fold for Schrader proved to be an immediate asset earned her stripes on the defensive end, Notre Dame, with five of those eight having for the Irish at the offensive end of the floor, using her long frame to not only hit the started more than half of the team’s 30 starting 27 times in her rookie season and glass, but come up with nearly 1.3 steals per games a season ago. Add to that another tra- scoring in double figures 14 times, including game during her career to date, including 41 ditionally-strong incoming freshman class three 20-point outings. She got her college thefts last season that are tops among this (ranked 21st nationally by All-Star Girls career off to a flying start with a double-dou- year’s returnees. Put it all together and you Report, the 10th consecutive top-25 rookie ble (10 points, 14 rebounds) on opening can bet Allen will be an important contribu- group for the Irish), and 20th-year head night vs. Michigan, becoming only the sec- tor for Notre Dame in 2006-07. coach Muffet McGraw will have numer- ond freshman in school history (and first in Each team needs a utility player, the kind ous options at her disposal for the upcom- the program’s Division I era) to post a dou- of athlete you can plug into just about any ing season. ble-double in her first-ever contest. situation, a jack-of-all-trades that comes Notre Dame’s strength this year may lie in Schrader then capped off her initial season through with flying colors no matter the cir- its backcourt, where five of six players with the Irish by pouring in a career-best 29 cumstance. For the Irish, their “Swiss army

22 UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME®

knife” for the past three seasons has been Junior Amanda senior guard Breona Gray. A hardworking Tsipis rounds out defender and rapidly-improving offensive the core of returnees threat, Gray has been a reliable force for in the backcourt for Notre Dame with 55 starts in the past two Notre Dame. The 5-9 years, including 22 starting assignments a native of Perry, Ohio, season ago when she averaged 4.5 points has been a vital con- and 2.3 rebounds per game. The 5-9 veteran tributor to Irish for- from Las Vegas also is the top returning tunes behind the three-point threat for the Irish this season, scenes, primarily in having connected at a 33-percent clip (21-of- practice situations. 63) as a junior. Her strong work Gray originally made her mark at Notre ethic and fundamen- Dame as a solid defender, often drawing the tals, coupled with a tough assignment of guarding the opposi- solid outside game, tion’s primary backcourt threat. She has give Notre Dame been more than up to the challenge, with much-desired depth some of her most impressive lockdown per- at the guard position formances coming in the past year, when she and will allow stifled Tennessee’s Shanna Zolman (five McGraw some of the points on 1-7 FG), the nation’s second-lead- flexibility she seeks. ing scorer in South Florida’s Jessica Dickson While the handful (12-37 FG, .324 FG% in two games) and the of veterans in this eventual NCAA three-point champion, Julie year’s backcourt pro- B Larsen of Utah (two points, 0-5 FG). As one of vide a stable founda- just two seniors on this year’s youthful Notre tion upon which to Dame roster, Gray will be called upon to build, it’s the two show leadership and maturity, not to men- incoming Irish fresh- A tion impart the wisdom of lessons learned men, both of whom during her first three years with the Irish. were ranked among Every coach will tell you a vital key to a the top 30 in the team’s success lies with its point guard pro- nation, that offer the duction. While Notre Dame bid farewell to greatest degree of S one of the program’s great floor generals in anticipation for the All-American and two-time all-BIG EAST coming season. Conference pick Megan Duffy (15.6 ppg., 4.1 Indianapolis native Senior guard Breona Gray has been a strong utility player for the Irish the past three apg.), the Irish offense should be in very Ashley Barlow was seasons and now will add leadership to the qualities she brings to the Notre Dame K good hands, as 5-7 junior Tulyah Gaines a Women’s Basketball lineup on a nightly basis. takes over the everyday duties. Gaines Coaches Association started 20 of 29 games last season, some- (WBCA) All-America selection and was third 16.4 points, 6.0 assists and 3.4 steals per times playing alongside Duffy (who shifted in the voting for as a game, garnering Street & Smith’s honorable to shooting guard), which allowed the North senior, having averaged 19.2 points, 5.4 mention All-America accolades as a senior. A E Las Vegas resident to sharpen her craft and rebounds and 3.6 assists per game during four-time all-state selection and two-time be prepared for the mantle of leadership her prep career. A two-time all-state shoot- adidas Top Ten Camp All-Star, Lechlitner fin- this season. Gaines averaged 4.9 points and ing guard, the 5-foot-9 Barlow was an espe- ished her career as the 2006 Indiana Miss 1.7 assists per game last year, more than cially potent scorer in her final two high Basketball runner-up and was ranked 27th in T doubling the scoring production from her school seasons, averaging better than 24 the nation by All-Star Girls Report. She also rookie season and nearly doing the same points per game and ranking among the top guided St. Joseph’s to an 88-16 (.846) record with her total. scorers in the state in Class 4A both years. during her tenure, including four consecu- Gaines will bring a different dimension to Ranked 24th nationally by Full Court Press, tive trips to the state semifinals, two title the point guard position for Notre Dame this she also had a distinguished AAU pedigree, game appearances and the 2005 Indiana B season with blazing speed that puts her having played with The Family, an Class 3A state crown. among the fastest players in the BIG EAST, if Indianapolis-based squad that went an The chemistry between Barlow and not the nation. Her quickness will not only astonishing 40-1 during the summer of 2005 Lechlitner was sharpened even more this be an asset on offense, where she will help and won four national tournaments, includ- summer, when the pair joined up to lead the A the Irish transition game, but also on ing the Nike Nationals where Barlow aver- Indiana All-Star Team to a two-game sweep in defense, where she has developed into a aged team bests of 13.4 points and 1.6 steals its annual series with Kentucky. Barlow was constant hounding presence for opposing per game. voted the series MVP after posting double- guards, coming up with 28 steals last sea- Providing an exceptional rookie comple- doubles in both victories over the Bluegrass son. On top of that, Gaines spent the better ment to Barlow in the Irish backcourt is State, averaging team highs of 20.0 points, L part of this summer working to expand her point guard Melissa Lechlitner, who 11.5 rebounds and 4.5 steals per game for the offensive capabilities with a consistent played her prep ball just a stone’s throw all-star series. Meanwhile, Lechlitner perimeter shot that now extends to the from the Notre Dame campus at South Bend expertly piloted the Indiana offense, averag- three-point line, positioning her to be one of St. Joseph’s High School. As a four-year ing 9.5 points and 3.0 assists per game with a L the team’s most improved players this year. starter for the Indians, Lechlitner averaged .563 percentage (9-16).

2006-07 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 23 Sophomore forward 2006-07 Chandrica Smith is the other Season Preview returning front-liner for Notre Dame, coming off a freshman year that saw her average 1.8 I • • • points and 1.9 rebounds in 20 Traditionally, Notre Dame’s success has games. A long and athletic wing been predicated on the ability to strike a at 6-foot-1, Smith saw her confi- blend between a lethal perimeter offense dence and performance rise R and a solid post game. Last season, that bal- throughout last season, with her ance showed itself in flashes, most notably best outing coming at Rutgers during the first two months of the campaign, when she nearly rang up a dou- when the Irish were averaging more than 26 ble-double with nine points and points in the paint per game and enjoyed a 10 rebounds in 24 minutes. Her I positive rebounding margin of more than potential for growth was magni- four caroms per contest. However, Notre fied even more this summer, as Dame wasn’t able to maintain consistency in she eagerly embraced a high- the post all season long, due in part to a intensity workout schedule that young core group that featured only one sen- S showed off her increasing com- ior and several players missing time with fort level with the college game. injuries. Thus, it would seem apparent Entering the 2006-07 season, opportunity she is ready to offer much of the and potential are the common themes for same rapid development in year H the Irish on the blocks. Three veterans are two as D’Amico and Erwin back, all of whom have significant experi- showed, positioning Smith to be ence in the trenches of the rugged BIG EAST a regular contributor to the Irish Conference, while two freshmen join the mix in ’06-07. to provide Notre Dame with its largest Notre Dame’s two-player degree of depth in the post in several years. freshman post crew could pro- What makes this year’s front line unique vide additional support as this from its predecessors is its variety and ver- season wears on. Standing 6- satility, with each of the five players bringing foot-3, forward Danielle Ben- different elements to the Irish scheme. Tsvulun is a tough, physical Senior forward Crystal Erwin is the force on the blocks, cut from leader of the Notre Dame post contingent, much the same mold as Erwin. having started 36 times in her first three sea- Ben-Tsvulun also turned out to Physical play continues to be the hallmark of senior forward Crystal sons under the Golden Dome. A physical, be a quick learner, as evidenced blue-collar player, Erwin averaged 4.7 points Erwin’s career, as the veteran anchors the Notre Dame post group in 2006-07. by her final two years at Harding and a career-high 5.1 rebounds per game last High School in Fort Wayne, Ind., season despite battling a recurring leg injury Las Vegas, earning tournament MVP honors when she averaged 12.1 points, 9.3 throughout the campaign. The 6-2 native of (and a BIG EAST Player of the Week citation) rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game. A two- Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., has made contri- after averaging 16.0 points and 6.5 rebounds time all-state selection, Ben-Tsvulun was the butions to the Irish in a number of ways, with an astounding .824 field goal percent- driving force behind Harding High’s back-to- from her aggressive play on the boards to age (14-of-17) as the Irish won the tourney back sectional titles and the school’s first- her emerging offensive prowess, which she title with a pair of victories. ever regional crown and state semifinals has honed a perimeter jump shot extending D’Amico’s performance in Las Vegas was berth in 2006. near the three-point line. the cornerstone of a significant season-long Like her classmate, freshman center Erwin also is expected to provide wisdom improvement on the statistical charts, as Erica Williamson has shown a knack for and counsel to the younger Notre Dame she nearly tripled the scoring and - adaptation and development on a rapid posts, helping initiate them to the rigors of ing efforts of her rookie season to end up scale. Williamson had the unenviable task of high-level college basketball. A passionate with 5.9 points and 3.7 rebounds per game moving to a different state between her jun- and fiery player, she often serves as the emo- while starting 17 of 30 games. She also ior and senior years of high school, and yet tional on-court leader of the Irish, displaying ranked eighth in the BIG EAST in blocked she handled the change with aplomb, aver- no fear of any opponent or situation and shots with 1.17 swats per night and wound aging 10.0 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.7 doing whatever is necessary to help Notre up second on the team with a .468 field goal blocks per game across two states (New Dame be successful. percentage. York and North Carolina). On top of that, she Without question, junior center Melissa Now, as an upperclassman, D’Amico will played a pivotal role on state championship D’Amico showed great potential during the be counted upon to take an even greater teams in both states, first as a junior at 2005-06 season. After spending the previous role in the Notre Dame offense and display a Honeoye Falls-Lima High School in summer going through a rigorous workout similar improvement in her third season Rochester, N.Y., and then as a senior at routine, the 6-5 native of Manorville, N.Y., that she showed last year. Early indications Charlotte’s South Mecklenburg High School stepped into the starting lineup on opening are that development already is taking place (that school’s first title in 20 years). night and felt right at home, averaging 10.3 this summer, with extended sessions in the A two-time all-state selection and ranked points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game weight room, not to mention a trip to San 89th in the nation by All-Star Girls Report, through the season’s first 10 contests. She Diego to work at legendary post guru Pete Williamson has good hands and a soft touch was at her best at the Duel in the Desert in Newell’s Tall Women Camp. around the basket with a wide variety of

24 UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME® post moves, not to mention a reliable mid- Among the spotlight games during the range jumper. In addition, she has a solid non-conference season will be a visit to Penn fundamental base to build from, along with State on Nov. 16 (the first for the Irish since a positive attitude and a burning desire to 1993) and a trip to USC on Nov. 24, as well as improve. What’s more, her ability to com- home matchups with in-state rivals Purdue plement and mesh with the talent around and Indiana. Notre Dame will close out its her, along with her tremendous potential non-conference schedule with a bang on makes Williamson a key addition for the Dec. 30, venturing to Knoxville, Tenn., to Notre Dame front line this season. square off with Tennessee. • • • Once again, the BIG EAST Conference will Part of McGraw’s scheduling philosophy play a 16-game regular-season schedule, throughout her 20-year tenure at Notre with teams facing 14 of the other 15 league Dame has been to play the best possible schools once (seven home, seven away) and competition in an effort to have her team the remaining school twice. For the second prepared when postseason play rolls consecutive year, Notre Dame’s “repeat” around in March. The 2006-07 Irish schedule opponent will be DePaul, as the Irish and should be no different, as Notre Dame will Blue Demons continue a regional rivalry that play 16 postseason qualifiers (including 11 pre-dates both teams’ membership in the NCAA Tournament teams) from a season BIG EAST. Last season, the two sides split ago. their home-and-home series, each winning in their own arena, before DePaul went on to make its first-ever trip to the NCAA Sweet 16. The rest of the B 2006-07 BIG EAST schedule will merely see the sites of last season’s conference A slate reversed for the coming campaign. As such, Notre Dame’s home schedule for this year also will S include contests with three other NCAA Tournament quali- fiers from last season Sophomore forward Chandrica Smith showed flashes of her potential last season, most notably tallying nine K — Rutgers (Sweet 16), points and 10 rebounds in a late January contest at St. John’s (second Rutgers. round) and Louisville (first round). WNIT Storrs, Conn. The other BIG EAST journeys selection Cincinnati, Notre Dame will take this season include E BIG EAST trips to NCAA Tournament qualifier South Championship run- Florida, as well as WNIT runner-up ner-up West Virginia, Marquette, WNIT semifinalist Pittsburgh Georgetown and and WNIT quarterfinalist Villanova. T Syracuse will com- Providence and Seton Hall also will be con- plete this year’s list of ference destinations for the Irish in 2006-07. BIG EAST visitors to • • • the Joyce Center. Human nature suggests that it won’t be Conversely, Notre easy for the Notre Dame players and B Dame’s conference coaches to simply sweep aside last year’s road schedule is high- results. Perhaps it’s better that way, for lighted by a trip to experience can often be the best teacher Connecticut, the first when it comes to finding one’s future path. for the Irish since The 2006-07 Irish may be young in age, but A they ended the they also will be old pros when it comes to Huskies’ 112-game dealing with the challenges of playing at the BIG EAST regular-sea- highest level of college basketball. With that son home winning “higher education” in its collective mindset, L streak with a 65-59 Notre Dame is well on the way to adding the Junior center Melissa D’Amico showed significant growth in her second season with the win on Jan. 30, 2005, latest chapter of success in the celebrated Irish, as she nearly tripled her scoring and rebounding output as a first-year starter for at Gampel Pavilion in history of Irish women’s basketball. L Notre Dame.

2006-07 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 25 Gaines is fully prepared to make 2006-07 Preseason it a seamless transition. Gaines Notebook made significant strides in that direction during the latter part of the 2005-06 season, averaging 8.0 I 2006-07: THE ANNIVERSARY SEASON points and 3.7 assists per game 2006-07 will mark the 30th season of Notre with a 2.2 assist/turnover ratio in Dame women’s basketball, with the Irish Notre Dame’s final six games. having compiled an all-time record of 593- Gaines also came up big in the R 266 (.690) since making their varsity debut clutch at Cincinnati with her in 1977-78. Actually, Notre Dame spent its game-tying layup at the regula- first three seasons at the Division III level, tion horn, helping the Irish log a playing under the banner of the Association 75-66 overtime win and remain in of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women position for another NCAA I (AIAW) before making the move to Division Tournament appearance. I status in 1980-81 (the NCAA began spon- • As the coaching cliche often soring a women’s basketball championship goes, “championships are won in the following season). The Irish have an the summer.” Junior center S overall Division I record of 544-246 (.689). Melissa D’Amico and freshman This year also will represent Muffet center Erica Williamson certainly McGraw’s 20th season as the head women’s have done their part, most basketball coach at Notre Dame and her notably spending time at the Pete 25th campaign overall, including her five- Newell Tall Women’s Camp in San H year run at Lehigh (1982-87). McGraw’s Diego. D’Amico is aiming to build record is a stellar one — she is 429-167 upon her 2005-06 season that (.720) at the helm of the Irish and has a saw her average 5.9 points and career record of 517-208 (.713) entering her 3.7 rebounds per game, earn silver anniversary season on the sidelines. MVP honors at the Duel in the In addition, Notre Dame will celebrate the Desert tournament and be 35th anniversary of women’s athletics at the named BIG EAST Player of the University during the 2006-07 season. All Week on Dec. 19. Meanwhile, Irish women’s sports teams will hold events Williamson comes to Notre Dame to commemorate this milestone during having averaged a double-double their respective seasons. What’s more, all (10.0 points, 10.4 rebounds), Notre Dame women’s teams will sport spe- Perhaps no Irish player is more excited for the start of the 2006-07 along with 4.7 blocks per game cial 35th anniversary logo patches on their season than junior guard Tulyah Gaines, who worked tirelessly during during her final two high school uniforms for the ’06-07 campaign. the summer months in preparing herself to assume the starting point seasons, winning state titles each guard role for Notre Dame this year. year (albeit in different states — YOUTH WILL BE SERVED New York and North Carolina). Sophomore guard Lindsay Schrader is women’s basketball program. Counting the • For the second time in three summers, Notre Dame’s top returning scorer this sea- three freshmen, a total of 17 Indiana natives sophomore guard Lindsay Schrader gained son, after averaging 10.5 points per game are on the all-time Irish basketball roster, valuable experience as a participant in USA during her rookie campaign in 2005-06. making Indiana the most common home Basketball National Team Trials at Colorado Schrader will be just the fourth sophomore state in program history. Michigan is sec- Springs. In 2004, she was a finalist for the to be the top ond, having produced 14 Notre Dame play- USA Junior World Championship Qualifying returning scorer ers (including current associate head coach Team, and this summer, she tried out for the Sophomores As ND for the Irish, and Top Returning Scorers and Flint, Mich., product Coquese USA Under-20 National Team. Schrader’s the first since Player Year PPG* Washington). presence at this summer’s trials continues a Beth Morgan in L. Schrader ’06-07 10.5 decade-long trend of Notre Dame players in 1994-95 (coming Beth Morgan ’94-95 17.9 USA Basketball competition, dating back to M.B.Schueth ’82-83 13.0 OTHER STORYLINES FOR THE off a 17.9 ppg. Shari Matvey ’80-81 17.6 IRISH IN ’06-07 Beth Morgan’s tenure with the 1996 USA effort as a fresh- * - as freshman the previous season • Junior guard Charel Allen is back at 100 Select Team and most notably including man in 1993-94). percent after spending the better part of last Ruth Riley’s stint with the gold-medal win- season healing from summer 2005 surgery to ning 2004 U.S. Olympic Team. HOOSIER STATE HOOPSTERS repair a torn ACL suffered in the 2005 NCAA Notre Dame welcomes three Indiana Tournament. Allen is Notre Dame’s No. 2 2005-06 SEASON REWIND natives among its four-player freshman returning scorer this year after averaging a • Notre Dame posted an 18-12 record and class, as guards Ashley Barlow career-high 8.5 points per game last year, finished 8-8 in the BIG EAST Conference. The (Indianapolis/Pike) and Melissa Lechlitner including 9.9 ppg. in the final 11 games of the Irish also made their 11th consecutive NCAA (Mishawaka/South Bend St. Joseph’s), and season. She also scored in double figures a Tournament appearance (13th overall), bow- forward Danielle Ben-Tsvulun (Fort career-best 14 times during her sophomore ing to Boston College, 78-61 in the opening Wayne/Harding) will suit up for the Irish in year. round — the first time Notre Dame lost in the 2006-07. This represents the largest influx of • With the question of replacing All- NCAA first round since 1994, snapping a run in-state personnel in one rookie class during American Megan Duffy at the point guard of 10 consecutive opening-round victories the 30-year history of the Notre Dame position an obvious one, junior guard Tulyah by the Irish.

26 UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME® • Head coach Muffet McGraw reached a • Notre Dame was ranked 11th in the JOYCE CENTER ARENA personal milestone, winning her 500th nation in attendance in 2005-06 (6,601 fans RENOVATION ON TAP career game on Nov. 18, 2005 at the Joyce per game), marking the sixth consecutive On Oct. 5, Notre Dame announced plans Center (55-45 vs. Michigan). McGraw season the Irish have ranked among the for a nearly $25 million renovation of the became the 27th NCAA Division I women’s national top 20 in attendance. Notre Dame Joyce Center arena, including new chairback basketball coach to reach that landmark and also has attracted 5,000-or-more fans to 78 seating, a four-sided digital video score- the 10th to do so before age 50. of its last 80 home games, including three board, and a club/hospitality area (as part of • Notre Dame played a school-record four Joyce Center sellouts of 11,418 (most a new two-story addition to be built on the overtime games during the 2005-06 season, recently on Dec. 31, 2005 vs. Tennessee). south side of the facility). going 2-2 in those extra-session contests, all • For the sixth time in school history, The $24.7 million renovation project has against BIG EAST opponents (also setting a Notre Dame has been selected to host NCAA been underwritten with a $12.5 million lead- conference regular-season record). The Irish Tournament action, as the Joyce Center will ership gift from Philip J. Purcell III, a Notre defeated Marquette (67-65 on Megan Duffy’s be the site of NCAA Tournament first- and Dame alumnus and Trustee, and the retired buzzer-beating layup in OT) and Cincinnati second-round games in 2010. In four of the chairman and CEO of Morgan Stanley. Upon (75-66), while falling to South Florida (68-64) five previous instances, Notre Dame was completion, the arena will be known as and Villanova (69-65), after rallying from 21 involved in NCAA Tournament play, going 6-1 Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center. The points down in the latter contest. all-time and advancing to the NCAA Sweet 16 Purcell gift, combined with other benefac- • The Irish were ranked as high as 10th in three times (2000, 2001, 2004), with only a tions, has brought the total contributions to the nation in both the Associated Press poll first-round loss to Minnesota in 1994 blotting the project to $22 million. and ESPN/USA Today coaches’ poll last sea- the resume. Notre Dame also hosted the 1983 In accordance with University policies for son, marking the seventh time in the past 10 NCAA Mideast Regional at the Joyce Center, new construction, work on the renovation seasons Notre Dame has been a top-10 club. with Georgia defeating Tennessee, 67-63 in will begin after the project is fully funded • The Irish defeated three ranked oppo- the regional final. and designed. The University is actively nents last season, downing No. 24/21 USC • The Irish have become a regular fixture seeking additional contributions. B (73-62), No. 22/21 Utah (68-55) and No. 10 in the WNBA Draft in recent DePaul (78-75). Notre Dame now has years, as six Notre Dame players recorded 50 wins over Top 25 opponents in have been selected in the past the Muffet McGraw era (1987-present), six seasons. All-America guard A including 40 in the past eight seasons, with Megan Duffy was the most recent 19 of those 40 victories coming over top-10 Irish player to be chosen, going teams. to the Minnesota Lynx in the • In 2005-06, Notre Dame set single-season third round (31st overall pick) of school records for fewest total turnovers the 2006 WNBA Draft. Other S (430) and fewest turnovers per game (14.3). active Notre Dame players in the Since the statistic was first kept in 1987-88, WNBA during the 2006 season the previous Irish standards were 516 included Ruth Riley and turnovers (2001-02) and 15.8 turnovers per Jacqueline Batteast (league K game (2000-01). During the past two sea- champion ), while sons, Notre Dame has been solid in protect- Niele Ivey sat out this year as a ing the basketball, averaging just 15.3 free agent, rehabilitating an turnovers per game in that span. injury after previously playing with Indiana, Detroit and E POTENT NOTABLES Phoenix. Riley’s WNBA title with ABOUT THE IRISH Detroit was her second (she was • Notre Dame the 2003 WNBA Finals MVP), is among the Winningest Teams while Batteast earned her first nation’s win- (1996-97 to 2005-06) pro crown this year. T 328 Connecticut ningest pro- 318 Tennessee • Notre Dame has been an elite grams during the 288 Duke program in the classroom as past decade 284 Louisiana Tech well. The Irish posted a perfect (1996-97 to 2005- 259 Old Dominion 100-percent Graduation Success 253 Purdue 06), ranking sev- Rate (GSR), according to figures B 247 NOTRE DAME enth with 247 246 UC Santa Barbara released by the NCAA in October victories in that 242 Texas Tech 2006. Notre Dame was one of 16 span. Division I-A programs to achieve A • Notre Dame’s incoming freshman class this distinction, and one of only was ranked 21st in the nation by All-Star Girls two BIG EAST programs Report, marking the 10th consecutive season (Syracuse was the other). that the Irish have had a top-25 recruiting Furthermore, since Muffet class. Notre Dame is one of only three McGraw became the Irish head L schools (along with Connecticut and coach in 1987, every Notre Dame Tennessee) to have an active streak of that women’s basketball player that Playing alongside future backcourt classmate Melissa Lechlitner, length. has completed her athletic and freshman guard Ashley Barlow averaged 20.0 points and 11.5 rebounds per game for the 2006 Indiana All-Star Team, helping the academic eligibility at the Hoosiers sweep a two-game series from their Kentucky counterparts. L University has graduated.

2006-07 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 27

Team Rosters I Roster Breakdowns

By Class R Seniors ...... 2 Juniors ...... 4 Sophomores ...... 2 Freshmen...... 4 I By Position Centers...... 2 Guards ...... 3 Forwards ...... 7 S

By State Indiana ...... 3 Nevada ...... 2 Seated (left to right): Amanda Tsipis, Charel Allen, Lindsay Schrader, Tulyah Gaines, Breona Gray, Ashley Barlow and California ...... 1 Melissa Lechlitner. Standing (left to right): senior manager Cheron Wilson, coordinator of basketball operations H Georgia...... 1 Stephanie Menio, associate director of strength & conditioning Tony Rolinski, assistant coach Angie Potthoff, Chandrica Smith, Danielle Ben-Tsvulun, Melissa D’Amico, Erica Williamson, Crystal Erwin, assistant coach Jonathan Illinois...... 1 Tsipis, head coach Muffet McGraw, associate head coach Coquese Washington, assistant athletic trainer Anne New York ...... 1 Marquez and senior manager Alison Guengerich. North Carolina ...... 1 Ohio ...... 1 Pennsylvania...... 1 Numerical No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr.-Exp. Hometown (High School) By Height 1 Tulyah Gaines G 5-7 Jr.-2V North Las Vegas, Nev. (Cheyenne) D’Amico ...... 6-5 2 Charel Allen G 5-11 Jr.-2V Monessen, Pa. (Monessen) Williamson ...... 6-4 11 Amanda Tsipis G 5-9 Jr.-2V Perry, Ohio (Perry) 20 Ashley Barlow G 5-9 Fr.-HS Indianapolis, Ind. (Pike) Ben-Tsvulun ...... 6-3 21 Chandrica Smith F 6-1 So.-1V Stone Mountain, Ga. (Oak Hill Academy (Va.)) Erwin ...... 6-2 23 Melissa Lechlitner G 5-7 Fr.-HS Mishawaka, Ind. (South Bend St. Joseph’s) Smith ...... 6-1 24 Lindsay Schrader G 6-0 So.-1V Bartlett, Ill. (Bartlett) Schrader ...... 6-0 31 Danielle Ben-Tsvulun F 6-3 Fr.-HS Fort Wayne, Ind. (Harding) Allen ...... 5-11 32 Breona Gray G 5-9 Sr.-3V Las Vegas, Nev. (Bishop Gorman) 33 Melissa D’Amico C 6-5 Jr.-2V Manorville, N.Y. (William Floyd) Barlow...... 5-9 34 Crystal Erwin F 6-2 Sr.-3V Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (St. Paul) Gray...... 5-9 52 Erica Williamson C 6-4 Fr.-HS Charlotte, N.C. (South Mecklenburg) Tsipis...... 5-9 Gaines ...... 5-7 Lechlitner ...... 5-7 Alphabetical No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr.-Exp. Hometown (High School) 2 Charel Allen G 5-11 Jr.-2V Monessen, Pa. (Monessen) Pronunciation Guide 20 Ashley Barlow G 5-9 Fr.-HS Indianapolis, Ind. (Pike) Charel Allen ...... shuh-RELL 31 Danielle Ben-Tsvulun F 6-3 Fr.-HS Fort Wayne, Ind. (Harding) 33 Melissa D’Amico C 6-5 Jr.-2V Manorville, N.Y. (William Floyd) Danielle Ben-Tsvulun ...... ben-SVOO-lun 34 Crystal Erwin F 6-2 Sr.-3V Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (St. Paul) Melissa D’Amico...... duh-MEE-koh 1 Tulyah Gaines G 5-7 Jr.-2V North Las Vegas, Nev. (Cheyenne) Tulyah Gaines...... tuh-LIE-uh 32 Breona Gray G 5-9 Sr.-3V Las Vegas, Nev. (Bishop Gorman) Breona Gray ...... bree-ON-uh 23 Melissa Lechlitner G 5-7 Fr.-HS Mishawaka, Ind. (South Bend St. Joseph’s) Melissa Lechlitner ...... LECK-light-ner 24 Lindsay Schrader G 6-0 So.-1V Bartlett, Ill. (Bartlett) 21 Chandrica Smith F 6-1 So.-1V Stone Mountain, Ga. (Oak Hill Academy (Va.)) Stephanie Menio ...... MANY-oh 11 Amanda Tsipis G 5-9 Jr.-2V Perry, Ohio (Perry) Chandrica Smith ...... shan-DREE-kuh 52 Erica Williamson C 6-4 Fr.-HS Charlotte, N.C. (South Mecklenburg) Amanda Tsipis...... SIP-iss Coquese Washington ...... koh-KWEES Coaching Staff Mishawaka ...... MISH-uh-WALK-uh Name Position Year Alma Mater Monessen...... moe-NESS-n Muffet McGraw Head Coach 20th Saint Joseph’s (Pa.) ’77 Coquese Washington Associate Head Coach 8th* Notre Dame ’92 Rancho Cucamonga...... KOO-kuh-MUN-guh Jonathan Tsipis Assistant Coach 4th North Carolina ’96 Angie Potthoff Assistant Coach 2nd Penn State ’97 Stephanie Menio Dir. of Basketball Ops. 2nd Pittsburgh ’04 * - Washington is in her eighth season at Notre Dame and her second as associate head coach.

28 UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME®