VU women trounce DT3, 94-64

Vanderbilt fans got their first peek at the 2006-07 women's team on Thursday night when the Dores defeated DT3 94-64 in an exhibition contest. Four Commodores scored in double figures, led by Tina Wirth with 16 points. Liz Sherwood led the team in rebounding with 8.

Tipoff! The starting lineup featured senior Dee Davis at point guard, senior Caroline Williams and sophomore Tina Wirth on the wings, and junior Liz Sherwood and senior Carla Thomas in the post.




Caroline Williams is known for her 3-point shooting, but she scored these two points on a fast break following a defensive rebound by Tina Wirth.




Senior post Carla Thomas finished last season with .857 free throw percentage. Thursday night she picked up where she left off, hitting all four of her free throw attempts as part of her 14 points.




For a fan, one of the exciting things about the first exhibition game of the season is getting your first look at the new freshmen on the team. On Thursday night, they played early and often.

Freshman point guard Merideth Marsh got her feet wet early in the first half and finished the night with 9 points and 4 assists.



Freshman post Amber Norton also went into the game early. In 12 minutes of play, she scored seven points and pulled down five rebounds.




Freshman guard Lauren Lueders played scored five points in 16 minutes, including a 3-pointer and 2 for 2 from the free throw line.




Freshman guard Jessica Mooney grew up in Nashville watching games in Memorial Gym. Her practice time in the preseason was somewhat limited because of illness and a death in her family, but she nevertheless scored 10 points.

This is a sight that the coaches would like to see a lot this season and for the next three years -- she gets the steal then scores on the fast break.




Senior point guard Dee Davis only played 18 minutes, scoring 6 points, with 7 assists, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals.




Redshirt freshman post Amy Malo finally got her first taste of live game action at Vanderbilt. Two knee surgeries during her freshmen year meant that she spent the season rehabbing, and Thursday she finally got to suit up and get out on the court.




Amber Norton went to the foul line more than any other Commodore even though her playing time was limited to 12 minutes by foul trouble.



The veteran players encouraged the freshmen and cheered them on. Besides simple comraderie among teammates, the freshmen need to make significant contributions to the team if the seniors are going to end their careers with a win.


Jess Mooney scored in a variety of ways -- including a steal and a fastbreak layup, a 3-pointer, and an old-fashioned 3-point play.




Three years ago Ashlee Bridge was a freshman at Princeton High in Cincinnati when Dee Davis was a senior. Now she's a freshman at Vanderbilt, and once again, Dee Davis is her senior teammate.

Late in the second half, she brought a smile to the face of the coaches when she scored after she and Amber were mixing it up on the offensive boards.


In the post game press conference, a reporter asked Tina Wirth what she thought about her performance for the night, which included three 3-pointers on four attempts.


If Tina was reluctant to talk about her accomplishments, Dee Davis and Merideth Marsh weren't -- WE liked it, they said.




With their first exhibition game behind them, the five freshmen posed for a photo. Next chance to see them in action, along with their teammates, is on Monday November 6, when Vanderbilt hosts EA Sports at 7 p.m.


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Photos copyright 2006 by Whitney D for VandyMania.com.