While VCU students enjoyed a long post-exam break, VCU sports teams remained in action. Here is a recap of games and news from over the break.
MENS BASKETBALL
Anthony Grant’s squad improved to 14-3 over the break, winning six-of-seven games, including the last five. The six victories were all conference wins, putting VCU at the top of the CAA conference standings as the only undefeated team. The lone loss at home, a rare occurrence for the Rams, came at the hands of the Appalachian State Mountaineers, who currently top the Southern Conference standings. The loss was a heart breaker, as VCU led by double-digits for a significant amount of time before ASU mounted the comeback. Five players were scoring leaders for VCU during the seven-game span, with senior B.A. Walker (Onancock, Va./Nandua) and sophomore Eric Maynor (Fayetteville, N.C.) leading scoring two games each. Maynor and freshman T.J. Gwynn (Burlington, N.C.) were both honored for their efforts. Maynor was named CAA Player of the Week, while Gwynn was named Rookie of the Week.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
The Lady Rams dropped four-of-six games over the break, including three conference games. The two victories both came at home, one against Longwood, and the second, a much-needed win over conference-foe UNC Wilmington. All-American Quanitra Hollingsworth (Chesapeake, Va./Great Bridge) continues to improve after coming back from an injury that sidelined her earlier in the season.
FIELD HOCKEY
After a year as an assistant coach, Kelly McQuade was promoted to head coach after former coach Shelly Behren left the program. Previous to VCU, McQuade coached field hockey and lacrosse at the College of William & Mary.
GOLF
Freshman Lanto Griffin (Blacksburg, Va./Blacksburg) was name one of three Virginia State Golf Association golfers of the year. Notably, he shot the third lowest amateur score at the SunTrust State Open of Virginia. Griffin’s best finish as a collegian came in the Duke Golf Classic where he placed fourth.
TENNIS
The mens and womens tennis teams received Top 15 preseason rankings from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. The men rank 14th overall while the women rank 13th. Both teams are reigning CAA conference champions.
TRACK AND FIELD
The mens and womens track and field teams traveled over the break. The men participated in the Navy Invitational in Annapolis, Md., while the women traveled for Blacksburg for the Virginia Tech Invitational. For the men, senior James Frierson (Richmond/Highland Springs) led the way, winning both 55-meter dashes, and the 200-meter dash. VCU placed third in the competition. For women, junior Frankie Moore (Chesapeake, Va./Great Bridge) placed ninth in the high jump event.
VOLLEYBALL
Senior Ludmilla Francescatto (Fraiburga, Brazil), an outside-hitter, was named the CAA’s Fall Scholar Athlete for Volleyball.