Women's Basketball Heads East for First MVC Road Trip
1/15/2008 12:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Game 15 at Evansville ? Thursday, Jan. 17 ? 7:00 p.m.
Game 16 at Southern Illinois ? Sunday, Jan. 20 ? 2:05 p.m.
Radio: 88.9 FM, www.kvss.com ? Video: www.gocreighton.com
Game 16 at Southern Illinois ? Sunday, Jan. 20 ? 2:05 p.m.
Radio: 88.9 FM, www.kvss.com ? Video: www.gocreighton.com
? The game can be heard on Spirit 88.9 FM (KVSS) and online at www.kvss.com. Brad Burwell and Rob Simms will call the action.
? Live stats and live video for this game and select road games can be found on the CU athletics website at www.gocreighton.com.
? The Bluejays lead the MVC and rank 19th in the NCAA with 7.2 three-pointers made per game.
? CU made a season-low one three-pointer, shooting just 1-for-7 against Drake last Saturday. The 73-51 home loss was CU's worst since a 25-point home defeat to Missouri State on Dec. 30, 2000.
? The Jays are second in the MVC and 22nd in the NCAA, shooting 75.6 percent at the free-throw line.
? Ally Thrall leads the MVC and ranks seventh in the NCAA in three-point shooting, making 47.3 percent on the year.
? Sam Schuett leads the team with 11.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in away games this year.
? Schuett averaged 15.5 points against UE last year. She scored 20 second-half points in CU's win at Roberts Stadium last year.
? CU is 21-8 all-time against Evansville, including 11-2 on UE's home court. CU has won 11 of the last 13 overall meetings.
Scouting the Bluejays (9-5, 2-1 MVC)
Creighton had a four-game winning streak snapped in a loss to Drake last Saturday ... The Jays are 4-4 away from Omaha this year, averaging 11.6 less points and over three more turnovers per game away from home this year ... CU lost four non-conference games this year, three to Big 12 schools and at sixth-ranked Rutgers ... CU had the toughest non-conference schedule in the league for the second straight year, with a strength of schedule of 53 ... Sara Cain leads the team with 10.2 points per game ... Sam Schuett leads the team with 6.6 rebounds per game ... Ally Thrall leads the team and MVC, shooting 47.3 percent from three-point range this season ... She also tops the Jays with 3.2 assists per game ... Megan Neuvirth, the 2007 MVC Newcomer of the Year, tops CU with 1.6 steals per game ... The Jays rank second in the MVC and in the NCAA top 50 with 15.3 assists per game ... CU is 9-0 on the year when shooting at least 40 percent from the field this year ... The Jays average 66.6 points per game, but just 60.3 in true road games.
Scouting the Purple Aces (7-7, 2-2 MVC)
Evansville has alternated wins and losses in its first four MVC games, topping Indiana State and Wichita State, while losing to Illinois State and Missouri State ... UE is averaging 73 points per MVC game, 70.6 points per game on the year ... The Aces are led by 2007 MVC Defensive Player of the Year Rebekah Parker, the senior leads the team with 15.5 points (21.8 per MVC game), 3.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game ... Courtney Felke adds 3.5 assists and 12.4 points per game and leads the MVC with 41 three-pointers on the year ... Ashley Austin also scored in double figures at 10.9 points per game ... Shannon Novosel leads UE with 7.8 rebounds per game ... UE ranks ninth in the MVC in field goal percent defense (44.9) and last in three-point percent defense (35.7) ... UE ranks second in the league with 9.4 steals per game and tops the team with 16.9 offensive rebounds per game ... The Aces are 5-1 at home this year.
Scouting the Salukis (6-8, 2-2 MVC)
SIU alternated wins and losses through its first four MVC games before hosting Drake on Friday night ... The defending MVC regular-season champion opened the season with one win in its first six games ... The Salukis rank second in the MVC, averaging 71.4 points per game, but rank eighth in allowing 70.3 per game ... SIU opened MVC play with a 95-76 win over Indiana State and has scored 87 or more three times ... SIU ranks last in the MVC and 321st (of 326) in the NCAA in field goal percent defense, allowing opponents to shoot 46.2 percent ... SIU ranks second in turnover margin and fewest turnovers per game at 14.6 ... SIU's and the MVC's Leading scorer Jasmine Gibson (17.1) has missed the last two games because of injury ... Jayme Sweere leads the team with 6.9 rebounds per game and adds 13.6 ppg ... Rookie Ellen Young chips in 13.4 ppg and Erica Smith contributes 11.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg and ranks second in the MVC with 29 steals.
The Coaches
Jim Flanery (Creighton, 1987) guided his team to three straight WNIT appearances to start his career, while capturing the 2004 WNIT Championship. In 2003 he became the winningest rookie coach in school and MVC history. Now in his sixth season at CU, his overall mark is 97-73 (.571). Prior to serving as CU's head coach, Flanery served as CU's top assistant for a decade. Evansville is coached by Tricia Cullop (Purdue, 1993), who is 109-105 in her eighth season with the Purple Aces. SIU is coached by Dana Eikenberg (Penn State, 1992), the 2007 MVC Coach of the Year, who is 40-61 in her fourth season at SIU. She is 78-135 in her eighth season as a head coach (four at UMKC).
Creighton-Evansville Series
Creighton has dominated the all-time series with Evansville, owning a 21-8 advantage. The Bluejays have won 11 of the last 13 meetings between the team, including CU season sweeps in six of the last seven years. The Jays are 11-2 all-time on UE's home court (including a win in Vincennes, Ind.) Last year the Bluejays topped UE 77-65 in Omaha on Feb. 15 and defeated the Aces 76-74 in Evansville on Jan. 21. CU trailed by as many as 13, and was down 40-37 at the half, in its win at UE. Sam Schuett scored all 20 of her points in the second half to spearhead the win. Schuett and Michelle Kaus each had four three-pointers as the Jays hit a season-high 10 threes in the win. Megan Neuvirth went 8-for-12 from the field and had 16 points, six rebounds and four steals in the win. Rebekah Parker led UE with 24 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Creighton-SIU Series
Creighton owns the series advantage 23-14 over SIU. The Bluejays are 10-7 all-time in Carbondale, but have dropped the last two meetings at SIU Arena and are just 2-3 in their last five trips to Carbondale. SIU has won four of the last five meetings with the Jays and swept the last two regular-seasons from CU. CU's lone win over SIU in the last two years was a 54-51 win in the MVC Tournament in 2006. Last year in Carbondale, the Bluejays scored a season-low 43 points, shooting just 30 percent from the field in a 63-43 defeat on Jan. 18. Megan Neuvirth was the only Bluejay to score in double figures, with 10 points, despite shooting just 2-of-8 at the free-throw line. Jayme Sweere led four SIU players in double figures with 17 points.
Individuals Against the Purple Aces
With her 20-point second half game against Evansville last year, Sam Schuett averaged 15.5 points per game against the Aces. Megan Neuvirth had two solid games against UE as a rookie, averaging 12.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game against the Aces. Michelle Kaus averaged 12.5 points per game and went 6-for-16 (.375) from three-point range against UE last year. Sara Cain averaged 9.5 points and 6.0 rebounds against UE last year. In her career, Ally Thrall averages 9.8 points per game against the Aces.
Individuals Against the Salukis
Megan Neuvirth averaged 12 points, nine rebounds and four steals per game against Southern Illinois as a freshman last year. She logged a double-double with 14 points and career-best 12 rebounds, along with five steals in the Feb. 18 meeting between the teams in Omaha. Sam Schuett grabbed 10 rebounds against SIU in Omaha and averaged 6.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game against the Salukis. Ally Thrall is the only other active Jay to average better than five points per game against SIU in her career, with 7.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per her seven games vs. SIU.
On the Road Again
Creighton will play its first two road games of the MVC schedule this week. The Bluejays have won three of their last four and seven of their last nine MVC road openers, but lost last year's conference road debut at Illinois State. The last time the Jays played their first MVC road game of the year at Evansville, the Jays won 64-63, behind two Dayna Finch free-throws with five seconds remaining on Jan. 3, 2004. The Bluejays are 11-4 all-time in their first MVC road game of the year. CU has started 2-0 on the MVC road in three of the last four years.
Close Call
Creighton entered its game with Drake last Saturday ranked 11th in the NCAA and leading the MVC with 7.7 three-pointers made per game. The Jays were limited to a season-low one three-point field goal against the Bulldogs, shooting just 1-for-7 from beyond the arc, after attempting better than 21 treys per game through their first 13. The one trey marked CU's lowest three-point total since going 1-for-4 from long range against Minnesota on Nov. 28, 2004. The one make kept a streak of 221 straight games with a made three-pointer alive, dating back to Dec. 21, 2000. CU last did not make a three-pointer on Dec. 20, 2000, when it went 0-for-11 from downtown against Alabama.
It's Crowded in Here
A hot start, a rivalry game and a pregame promotion at the Omaha Civic Auditorium had the fans turning out for the Creighton-Drake game last Saturday. The crowd of 2,437 was the 10th largest crowd in school history and the first crowd of more than 2,000 in three years at a CU home game. It was CU's largest crowd turnout since the 2004 WNIT Championship game, when 4,180 fans showed up to watch the Jays crush UNLV 73-52.
Rebounding Oddity
Creighton out-rebounded Drake 41-30 last Saturday, but no Bluejay had more than five rebounds in the game. Four different Bluejays pulled in five rebounds, while nine of the 11 Bulldogs that played had two or fewer rebounds.
Home Cooking Turns Bad
Creighton opened its home schedule 5-0 this year, while out-scoring opponents by 19 points per game. That all came crashing to an end in a 22-point loss to Drake (Jan. 12). The 73-51 loss was CU's worst home loss under Jim Flanery and the Bluejays' worst home defeat since losing by 25, 84-59, to Missouri State on Dec. 30, 2000.
Take a Step Back
Creighton is shooting better from three-point range (.414) than it is from “two-point” range (.408) in its first three MVC games. The Jays have made 24-of-58 three-pointers, while they are just 53-of-130 from inside the arc in that span.
Kelsey's Conference Numbers
Kelsey Woodard has increased her scoring productivity and rebounding in her first three MVC games. The rookie is averaging 9.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in MVC play, while she is shooting 40 percent from the field and 53.8 percent (7-13) from three-point range in her first three Valley games.
Three-Point Improvement
Creighton has made at least 10 three-pointers in a game five times this year, after doing so just once last year and four times combined over the previous two seasons. The Jays lead the MVC and rank 19th in the MVC, making 7.2 three-pointers per game. Six different Bluejays have made at least 10 trifectas this year, led by Ally Thrall's 26. The Jays are shooting 35.2 percent from long range, following the worst three-point shooting team in school history. Last year the Jays made just 30.1 percent of their threes.
Thrall's Accuracy is Up
Ally Thrall has been on fire from three-point range in her last seven games, shooting 19-for-30 (.633) from beyond the arc in that span. That surge has pushed her to the league-lead and she now ranks seventh in the NCAA in three-point shooting. The guard started the season by making 7-of-25 (.280) three-pointers through her first seven games. Thrall is shooting 47.3 percent from three-point range this year, after shooting 29.7 percent from beyond the arc in her first three years.
More Thoughts on Thrall
Ally Thrall poured in a career-high 23 points, including seven of CU's eight overtime points, in the Jays win over Missouri State (Jan. 6). She surpassed 900 career points on Jan. 6 and is on pace to become the 19th player in school history to surpass 1,000 career points.
Comparing 14
Creighton is 9-5 through 14 games this year, after opening the season at 3-11 through 14 last year. As one would expect with success, CU's numbers are significantly better this year, particularly on defense. Last year the Jays allowed 71.5 points per game through 14, with six opponents scoring 75 or better in that span. This year the Jays are allowing just 63.7 points per game and only two teams have scored better than 75 against CU. See the chart below:
Comparing First 14 Games of the Season
Statistic 2006-07 2007-08
Record 3-11 9-5
PPG 64.9 66.6
Opp. PPG 71.5 63.7
FG% 38.6 39.7
Opp. FG% 46.9 42.1
3FG% 29.1 35.2
Opp. 3FG% 40.7 30.3
Reb. Margin -0.6 +3.6
Asst. / game 12.4 15.3
TO / game 18.4 18.2
Woodard's Double-Double
Freshman Kelsey Woodard recorded her first career double-double against Missouri State (Jan. 6). She drained a career-best four three-pointers for 12 points and added a career-high 10 rebounds for the double-dime. Three of her 10 boards were offensive and came in OT.
Working Overtime
Creighton played its first overtime game of the year and captured its first overtime win since 2006 when it topped Missouri State 79-73 on Jan. 6. The Jays went 0-2 in overtime last year, including a heartbreaking loss to Drake in the MVC Tournament championship game. The Jays are now 8-4 in overtime games under Jim Flanery (since 2002-03).
Schuett's Numbers are Up and Down
Since scoring a career-high 30 points at Nebraska on Nov. 30, Sam Schuett has scored just 51 points total in her last seven games and averaged just 5.8 points per game in her last six. While her scoring has dipped, her rebounding has surged. Schuett has grabbed at least 10 rebounds in three of her last four games and is averaging 8.3 boards per game in MVC play.
That's the Best Since ...
In CU's dominating 83-47 home win over Wichita State on Jan. 4, the Bluejays put up impressive numbers. The 36-point margin of victory was CU's largest ever in an MVC opener, while it was the Jays' largest margin of victory since beating Missouri State by 37, 84-47, on Jan. 6, 2002. CU's 52 rebounds were the most in a game since grabbing 53 against Louisiana Monroe on Dec. 10, 2005. CU's 27 assists were the most by a Bluejay team since dishing 27 against Northern Iowa on Feb. 24, 1994.
Woodard Named Newcomer Again
For the third time this season, Kelsey Woodard was named the MVC Newcomer of the Week on Jan. 7. The rookie averaged 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in her first two conference games, leading the team with 13 points against Wichita State (Jan. 4) and then notching her first career double-double with 12 points and career-high 10 rebounds against Missouri State (Jan. 6).
Freshmen Lead the Way in MVC Debut
The freshman duo of Kellie Nelson and Kelsey Woodard impressed in their MVC debut against Wichita State (Jan. 4). Woodard led the Bluejays with 13 points off the bench, draining her first three three-pointers and finishing 3-for-5 from beyond the arc, while adding five rebounds and four assists. Nelson also came off the bench and scored a career-high 11 points, making 5-of-6 free-throws.
That's Helpful
Creighton dished a season-high 27 assists on its 30 field goals against Wichita State (Jan. 4), the most assists in a game by the Bluejays in 14 years. Four Bluejays had at least four assists in the game, led by Ally Thrall's six. Sam Schuett, Kelsey Woodard and Kelsey Crites each had four helpers in the win, while 10 of 11 Jays recorded an assist in the victory.
By the Boards
Creighton's 52 rebounds against Wichita State (Jan. 4) were its most in over two years. Sam Schuett led the team with 10 caroms, while Sara Cain tied her career-high with nine boards. Kelsey Crites grabbed a career-best eight rebounds.
Thrall Rests
Senior Ally Thrall has averaged 38.5 minutes per game in the MVC over the last two years. In her 2008 MVC debut, she played just 25 minutes, her fewest minutes in an MVC game since her freshman year when she played at least 25 minutes just six times in a Valley game. She has led the MVC in minutes played in each of the last two seasons, doing so by playing at least 31 minutes in 60 straight games before playing just 22 minutes in CU's blowout of Memphis (Nov. 19). It was the fewest minutes played for Thrall since playing 22 against Houston on Nov. 30, 2005 in the third game of her sophomore year.
More Rebounds Than Points Allowed
Creighton pulled off a rare feat in its dismantling of Wichita State on Jan. 4 as the Bluejays pulled down more rebounds than points allowed. CU had 52 rebounds, while allowing just 47 points scored. The Jays also accomplished this in a 47-46 win at Indiana State on Feb. 8, 2004, when they grabbed 48 rebounds in that victory.
Strong Schedule, High RPI
For the second straight year, Creighton has compiled the strongest non-conference schedule in the MVC. CU's strength of schedule (SOS) ranked 53rd on www.collegerpi.com (through game played on Jan. 1). The average non-conference SOS of the other nine teams in the MVC was 158. In the first NCAA RPI report, the Bluejays ranked atop the MVC with an RPI of 49, with Illinois State close behind at 53.
Over the Hill at 40
A defining number has popped up in Creighton's first 14 games this year - 40. When the Bluejays shoot 40 percent or better from the field, they are 9-0 on the season. When they shoot below 40 percent, they are winless. In fact, in CU losses, the Jays are shooting just 31.4 percent, including 28.9 percent from three-point range. In their nine wins, the Jays are shooting 44.4 percent from the floor and 38.4 percent from long range.
Follow the Leader
But who is the leader? When Kristina Voss led the team with 16 points at Oral Roberts (Dec. 21), she became the seventh different Bluejay to lead the team in scoring this year. Ally Thrall and Kelsey Woodard have each topped the team in scoring four times this year. Nine different players average at least 4.5 points per game for the Jays this year.
Woodard Earns First Start
Freshman Kelsey Woodard made her first career start at Oral Roberts (Dec. 21). The guard scored 11 points and had a career-best five rebounds, while making 4-of-8 shots in her first game as a starter.
Cain Cans Threes
Senior Sara Cain had attempted one three-point field goal during her first three years on campus. She made her first two career three-pointers at Rutgers (Nov. 16) and then drained a career-best three trifectas in a win over Kansas State (Dec. 18). On the season she is now 10-for-26 (.385) from beyond the arc.
Thrall For Three (x 5)
Ally Thrall established a career-high by making five three-pointers against Kansas State (Dec. 18). She was perfect from long range, making all five of her attempts in the first half. It marked the best three-point shooting day by a Bluejay since CU's all-time leading scorer and three-point specialist Kathy Halligan went 5-for-5 from long range on Feb. 20, 1992 against BYU. Below are the best three-point shooting games since that Halligan game.
Perfect 3-Point Games Since 1991-92
(at least four attempts)
Name 3FG-A Opponent, Date
Ally Thrall 5-5 Kansas St., 12/18/07
L. Spanheimer 4-4 Bradley, 1/30/05
L. Spanheimer 4-4 Oregon St., 12/2/04
Jenny Burns 4-4 Drake, 2/23/03
L. Spanheimer 4-4 Iowa, 12/8/02
Dayna Finch 4-4 Northwestern, 12/10/00
Missy Miller 4-4 Wyoming, 12/7/92
Kathy Halligan 4-4 Wyoming, 3/3/92
Kathy Halligan 5-5 BYU, 2/20/92
Bench Me
Creighton's bench is averaging 28.9 points per game this year, scoring at least 43 points off the bench four times this season. Creighton's reserves didn't keep the bench warm in the Bluejays 90-57 win over Memphis on Nov. 19, they kept the nets warm, as the Bluejay bench scored 50 points in the win. It marked the highest bench output in the Jim Flanery era, topping the 41 points the 2002-03 bench twice put up. In fact, it was the most bench points scored by the Bluejays since the reserves scored 53 against Northwestern on Dec. 10, 2000.
Bench Scoring under Flanery
Season Average High Game
?07-08 28.9 50
?06-07 19.6 35
?05-06 17.0 31
?04-05 13.9 29
?03-04 15.8 30
?02-03 22.4 41
Winning Non-Conference Record
At 7-4, the Bluejays had a winning non-conference record for the first time since going 6-3 in 2004-05 season. The Jays were 2-7 against non-conference foes in 2005-06 and went 3-8 out of conference last year. The Jays went 7-2 in the non-conference schedule before MVC play in the 2002-03 season.
Not Half Bad
Creighton shot better than 50 percent from the field and from three-point range in its win over Kansas State (Dec. 18), the first time the Jays have topped both numbers in the same game since topping Memphis 89-79 on Dec. 6, 2006.
50-50
CU shot 51.1 percent from the field against Kansas State (Dec. 18), marking the 13th time since 2002-03 the Jays have made at least half of their shots. The Jays are 12-1 when making 50 percent of their shots or better under Jim Flanery. CU shot 57.1 percent from three-point range, the 12th game under Flanery the Jays have made at least half of their long range shots, improving to 9-3 in such games.
Ten Straight Makes
Creighton shot a season-high 51.1 percent from the field in its win over Kansas State (Dec. 18). Helping the cause was a span in the second half when the Bluejays made 10 straight field goals without a miss. Sara Cain and Kristina Voss had three straight baskets each during the run that put CU up by 20 with 7:27 left in the game.
Battling the Big 12
Creighton's win over Kansas State (Dec. 18) snapped a nine-game losing streak to Big 12 opponents, including three losses to Big 12 teams this year. The Bluejays had not defeated a Big 12 foe since a win over Colorado on Dec. 3, 2005. The Jays are now 7-13 against the Big 12 under Jim Flanery.
Woodard Named Newcomer of the Week
For the second time in the first six weeks of the season, freshman Kelsey Woodard was named the MVC Newcomer of the Week (Dec. 17). The rookie led a near-upset for the Bluejays at Iowa State (Dec. 16), scoring the final eight points of the first half to cap an 18-3 CU run, giving the Jays a 28-22 lead. She finished with a team-high 12 points, making 3-of-4 field goals and 2-of-3 three-pointers, while adding a pair of assists and rebounds.
Streak Stops With Broken Record
Sam Schuett set a school record earlier this year by making her first 22 free-throw attempts of the season. Just one game after Schuett's streak ended, Kelsey Woodard surpassed Schuett and made her 23rd straight freebie to start the season, before missing her final two free-throw attempts at Iowa State (Dec. 16). Woodard also established the school record for consecutive free-throw makes to start a career.
Schuett is Player of the Week, Dec. 10
Sam Schuett became the first Bluejay to be named the MVC Player of the Week since current graduate manager Kristi Woodard earned the honor Jan. 9, 2006. Schuett earned the honor after putting up 16 points, eight rebounds, career-high six assists, three steals and a blocked shot at Denver (Dec. 5). The Omaha native is the first CU sophomore to earn the honor since Woodard did so on Jan. 12, 2004.
Holy Schuett
With a career-high 30 points at Nebraska (Nov. 30), sophomore Sam Schuett became the first Bluejay to score 30 points since Angie Janis scored 30 against Bradley on March 2, 2006. Schuett made a career-high 11 field goals in the game, including the first 10 she attempted. Her 11 field goals in the game are the most by a player in the MVC this season. She was the first Bluejay to score 30 on the road and against a non-conference opponent since Laura Spanheimer had 31 at Oregon State on Dec. 2, 2004. No CU sophomore had scored 30 points since Christy Neneman poured in 39 against Drake on March 9, 2002 in the MVC Tournament title game.
Double Your Pleasure
As if exploding for a career-best 30 points in a game wasn't enough, Sam Schuett added a game-high 10 rebounds for her first, and the team's first, double-double of the year at Nebraska (Nov. 30). It was Schuett's fourth career double-dime.
Start Me Up
Creighton opened the year 4-1 this season, its best five-game start since 2000. Last year the Bluejays started 0-7 and did not capture their fourth win of the season until Jan. 6. CU went 4-3 this November, its most wins in November since 1985.
Tournament Champions
Creighton captured the tournament title at the Rocky Mountain Invitational in Fort Collins, Colo. (Nov. 23-24). The Bluejays topped Kent State 71-57 and host Colorado State 78-56 to win the event. Sara Cain averaged 12 points and 6.5 rebounds per game to earn tournament MVP honors, while Sam Schuett added 11.5 points per game to earn all-tourney recognition. It was CU's first in-season tournament title since winning the InnSuites Classic in Flagstaff, Ariz., in 1998.
We'll Take That
The Bluejays forced a season-high 29 turnovers against Memphis (Nov. 19) and followed by forcing 25 turnovers against Kent State (Nov. 23). The 54 turnovers in a two-game span are the most under Jim Flanery and the most since the 1999 team swiped a combined 55 in a two-game span against USC and Wyoming.
Out of Action
The Jays have lost two players for the season due knee injuries, marking the third straight season knee problems have forced a Bluejay to miss the season. This year, junior Chevelle Herring and freshman Abby Henry are both out for the year due to injuries. Herring had surgery on an injured knee in early November, while Henry suffered a torn ACL in preseason practice. Last year Kelsey Crites went down with a torn ACL in the sixth game of the year and earned a medical redshirt. In 2005-06, Megan Neuvirth suffered a knee injury in the first official practice of the fall and missed the season. Herring and Henry will apply for medical redshirts at the end of the year.
90 for 90
Creighton scored 90 points against Memphis (Nov. 19) and helped head coach Jim Flanery capture his 90th career win. It was the sixth time under Flanery the Jays have scored at least 90, improving to 6-0 when reaching that mark since 2002-03.
More High Water Marks
In addition to being the largest margin of victory (33) and the most points scored by the Bluejay bench (50) in the Flanery era, the 48 points CU scored in the paint against Memphis on Nov. 19 were the most under Flanery. CU also forced 29 turnovers in the game, tying the high mark for a Flanery team set against Southern Illinois on Jan. 16, 2003. The Bluejays scored 36 points off the 29 turnovers, the second-most points off turnovers under Flanery, as the Jays scored 39 points off of Evansville turnovers on Feb. 13, 2003.
Battling the Best
With a 62-43 loss at No. 6 Rutgers (Nov. 16), the Bluejays have now lost 13 consecutive games to nationally-ranked opponents. CU's last win against a ranked foe came on Dec. 7, 1999 when it defeated 14th-ranked Kansas in Omaha, 55-54. The Jays' last road win against a ranked team came Jan. 2, 1999, a 67-64 win at No. 25 Missouri State in Springfield, Mo. CU is 2-17 against the top-25 since 1998-99.
Shooting Woes at Rutgers
The Bluejays lost 62-43 at No. 6 Rutgers (Nov. 16). CU shot just 22 percent in the loss, its worst shooting performance since shooting 19.7 percent at Northwestern on Nov. 21, 2003.
Solid Debuts
Freshmen Kellie Nelson and Kelsey Woodard had strong collegiate debuts against UALR on Nov. 10. Nelson grabbed six rebounds in the first half and finished with seven points and seven rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench. Woodard was 3-for-6 from the field and had eight points while tying for the team-lead with three assists, also in 19 minutes off the bench.
They're Back
Creighton had no seniors on the roster last year and returns 10 of 11 letterwinners and all five starters from last year's team. The only player not returning is role-player Jess Lammers, therefore the Jays are returning 99.6 percent of scoring and 99.5 percent of minutes played from last year's team. All but one (Katie Frank) of the 10 returners started at least two games for the Jays last year.
Nebraska Flavor
Over half of Creighton's 13 players on the roster this season are playing collegiate basketball in their home state. Bellevue natives Abby Henry (West), Chevelle Herring (East) and Kelsey Woodard (West), Omaha products Kellie Nelson (Westside) and Sam Schuett (Millard West) along with Katie Frank (South Sioux City) and Megan Neuvirth (West Point Central Catholic).
Preseason Picks
The Bluejays received one first place vote and have been picked to finish sixth in the MVC this year in the preseason poll voted on by league coaches, media and sports information directors. The Jays were picked to finish ninth in last year's preseason poll, and ended the year in sixth. The last time the Bluejays were tabbed for a sixth-place finish was 2001-02, when they captured their first regular-season Valley title. Drake is the MVC preseason favorite for the second straight year, earning 24 of 39 first-place votes.
Welcome to Creighton
CU's three freshmen are all from the Omaha area, including high school teammates Kelsey Woodard and Abby Henry. Both Bellevue West graduates verbally committed to Creighton prior to their sophomore year of high school. Kellie Nelson led her Westside team to a state runner-up finish, falling to Henry and Woodard's Thunderbirds in the state title game.
Senior Citizens
Sara Cain and Ally Thrall are seniors on this year's team, one year removed from a “senior-less” squad. Last year marked the first time since 1990-91 that the Bluejays did not have a senior. CU followed up that team without seniors by logging a school-record 28 wins and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history.
Five Starters Back
The Bluejays have all five starters back from last year's team after opening last season with just one returning starter. Senior Ally Thrall was the only player to start all 32 games last year, while Sara Cain started 29 and Michelle Kaus started 26. Megan Neuvirth (19) and Sam Schuett (18) are also considered returning starters. Kristina Voss (16) and Chevelle Herring (15) also started for a good portion of the season, while Kelsey Crites and Tyrai Bronson also earned a pair of starts each. This marks the first time since 1990-91 that the Bluejays have returned all five starters. That 1990-91 squad finished 22-7.
All in the Family
Freshman Kelsey Woodard is following in the footsteps of older sister Kristi, who played at Creighton from 2002-06 and is now the graduate manager for the Jays. Kelsey is wearing the same No. 3 that Kristi wore during her playing career. The Woodard's sister in-law, Heidi Geier Woodard is in the CU Athletics Hall of Fame for her softball career in the late 1990s.
Coaching Changes
Creighton welcomes Rekha P. Hollomon as an assistant coach on this year's team, replacing associate head coach Tanya Warren. Hollomon, a native of North Carolina, spent last season at Ball State and has also been on staff at Eastern Illinois and Baylor. Warren left her alma mater to become head coach at MVC foe Northern Iowa.
Seniors, Co-Captains, Roomies, etc.
Roommates Sara Cain and Ally Thrall have many similarities. Cain (Walford) and Thrall (Des Moines) are both Iowa natives, both earned MVC All-Tournament Team honors last year and both were named second-team all-MVC scholar-athletes last year. They co-led the team with 10.6 points per game (though Cain edged Thrall 339-338 total) and they are co-captains as the only two seniors on this season's team.
Exhibition Recap
Creighton cruised past Division II Central Missouri 88-48 on Nov. 1 in its only exhibition game this year. Six Bluejays scored in double figures, led by Sara Cain's 13. Kristina Voss logged a double-double with 12 points and game-high 12 rebounds. Senior Ally Thrall was joined by freshmen Kellie Nelson and Kelsey Woodard with 12 points each. In fact, both freshmen were the first players to reach double figures for the Bluejays. Sam Schuett added 11 points for the Jays off the bench. CU shot 55 percent from the field, 45.5 percent (10-22) from three-point range and went a perfect 12-for-12 from the free-throw line while out-rebounding UCM 41-22. The Jays forced 25 turnovers and had a 38-18 advantage in points off turnovers and dominated the paint, out-scoring UCM 44-10 inside.
Blog Me
Senior guard Ally Thrall has her own blog on the Creighton athletics website at www.gocreighton.com. “Thrall's Thoughts” gives fans insights to the team through the eyes of one of its co-captains. The public relations / advertising major updates the blog once a week.
We're Moving
Creighton broke ground for a new on-campus women's basketball and volleyball facility on Oct. 16. The Ryan Athletics Center and D.J. Sokol Arena, a 46,000 square-foot facility, will house a gym seating 2,500 to 3,000, women's basketball and volleyball coaches offices, locker rooms, ticket offices, athletic training and meeting rooms, media workrooms and much more. Construction on the facility located at Webster and Florence Blvd. (19th Street) is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.
Put it in Neutral
For the first time in women's Missouri Valley Conference Tournament history, the event will be played at a neutral site. The 10-team event will take place in St. Charles, Mo. (a suburb of St. Louis) on March 13-16 at The Family Arena. The neutral site will be a welcome site for league members who have not hosted the event over the past four seasons. The host school won the tournament in 2004 (Missouri State), 2005 (Illinois State), 2006 (Missouri State) and 2007 (Drake). In each of the last three seasons, the host school has been the seventh or eighth seed.
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/ Women's Basketball#18 Creighton Volleyball vs. #1 Nebraska Highlights - 9/16/25
Wednesday, September 17
Creighton Volleyball vs. Nebraska Press Conference - 9/16/25
Wednesday, September 17
Creighton Volleyball Highlights vs. UNI - 9/14/25
Sunday, September 14
Creighton Volleyball Press Conference vs. UNI - 9/14/25
Sunday, September 14
