MEN’S BASKETBALL
A season after winning the CAA title and making a run in the NCAA tournament, the Rams have found their way into a pre-season top 25. Lindy’s Sports Annuals ranked the Rams at No. 25 to begin the season. VCU’s two NCAA tournament opponents are also ranked in the poll – Duke checks in at No. 16 while Pittsburgh ranks 17th.
WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
The Rams finished seventh of an eight-team field last weekend at the Lou Onesty Invitational, hosted by the University of Virginia. Senior Danielle Williams (Virginia Beach/Salem) had the best finish for VCU, stopping the clock at 20:02.4, good for a 31st-place finish. CAA rival William and Mary finished second in the event.
FIELD HOCKEY
Freshman Merel Kroon (Amstelveen, Netherlands/Keizer Karel College) was named CAA rookie of the week after a strong performance against cross-town rival Richmond. Kroon registered a goal and assisted on another in the 2-1 victory.
GOLF
Senior Alex Brown (Richmond/Belmont Abbey College) shot a three-round total 211 as the Rams finished tied for 12th in a 15-team field at the Scenic City Invitational, hosted in Chattanooga, Tenn. Brown’s low road was a 5-under 66.
VCU finished tied with Furman and 52 strokes behind tournament champion Charlotte.