Bluejays Host Preseason Favorite Drake on Saturday

Game 14 vs. Drake ? Saturday, Jan. 12 ? 2:05 p.m.
Drake Bulldogs at Creighton Bluejays
Omaha Civic Auditorium ? Omaha, Neb.
Radio: 88.9 FM, www.kvss.com ? Video: www.gocreighton.com
Series History: Drake leads 31-15
Last Meeting: Drake won 65-64 (ot) in Des Moines, March 11, 2007

? The game can be heard on Spirit 88.9 FM (KVSS) and online at www.kvss.com. Brad Burwell and Sara Cizek Going will call the action.

? Live stats and live video for this game and all home games can be found on the CU athletics website at www.gocreighton.com.

? CU is 5-0 at home this year, out-scoring opponents by an average of 19 per game, and scoring 77.6 per home game.

? The Bluejays lead the MVC and rank 11th in the NCAA with 7.7 three-pointers made per game, while they have averaged 11.7 per game in their last three home games.

? The Jays also lead the MVC and rank 19th in the NCAA, shooting 75.9 percent at the free-throw line.

? Ally Thrall scored a career-high 23 points, including seven of CU's eight in overtime, against Missouri State last Sunday

? Thrall leads the MVC and ranks fifth in the NCAA in three-point shooting, making 49.1 percent on the year.

? Kelsey Woodard was named the MVC Newcomer of the Week for the third time this season on Monday after averaging 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game last weekend.

? Fans are invited to a spaghetti feed Saturday at the Civic Auditorium from noon to 2 p.m., prior to the game. The cost for the all-you-can-eat spaghetti feed is $5 per person.

? CU is 15-31 all-time against Drake.

Scouting the Bluejays
Creighton is 2-0 in MVC play for the sixth time in the last seven years ... The Jays enter the game on a four-game winning streak ... In the first RPI report released by the NCAA this week, CU leads the MVC at 49, followed closely by Illinois State's 53 ... CU is undefeated at home this year, shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from three-point range at home ... CU has lost four 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 10.3 points per game ... Sam Schuett leads the team with 6.7 rebounds per game, including 10.3 per game in her last three ... Ally Thrall is averaging 14.2 points per game in her last six contests, shooting 67.9 percent from three-point range in that span ... Megan Neuvirth, the 2007 MVC Newcomer of the Year, tops the team with 1.8 steals per game ... The Jays rank second in the MVC with 15.7 assists per game ... CU averages 67.8 points and allows 63 and is 9-0 when shooing at least 40 percent from the field.

Scouting the Bulldogs
The preseason favorites to win the MVC and the defending MVC Tournament champions, Drake enters the game on a four-game winning streak ... Two of DU's losses are to two of the same teams the Jays have lost to - Kansas and Iowa State ... Drake leads the league in defense, allowing just 59.2 points per game, while it has not allowed an opponent to score more than 58 in six straight games ... The Bulldogs have the best turnover margin in the league at a plus 5.2, while their 13.5 turnovers per game are the fewest in the MVC ... DU is playing without all-MVC forward Brandy Dahir, who has played just one game this year because of an injury ... DU has welcomed back all-MVC forward Jill Martin after a medical redshirt last year and she leads Drake with 16.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game ... Lindsay Whorton adds 15.5 points and 4.4 rebounds and a team-leading 35 three-pointers ... Jordann Plummer is also coming off a redshirt season, topping the team with 2.6 assists per game to go along with 9.9 points per game.

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 97-72 (.574). Prior to serving as CU's head coach, Flanery served as CU's top assistant for a decade. Drake is coached Nebraska native Amy Stephens (Nebraska, 1991). Stephens is 70-65 in her fifth season at Drake, while the form Nebraska-Kearney coach is 267-108 in her 13th year of coaching.

Creighton-Drake Series
Drake leads the all-time series with Creighton, 31-15. The Jays are 8-10 against Drake in Omaha, including 5-1 in the last six meetings at the Civic. Jim Flanery is 5-7 against Drake, including 5-5 in the regular-season. Last year the teams split the regular-season series, with each team winning on its home court. CU topped DU 67-57 in Omaha last Jan. 14, and then lost at DU 64-52 in Des Moines on Feb. 9. The teams then squared off in an unlikely MVC Tournament championship game, with Drake needing overtime to get by the Bluejays 65-64 on March 11 in Des Moines. Sara Cain scored a career-high 24 points in the championship game for Creighton.

Home Sweet Home
The Bluejays are 5-0 at home this year, where they are out-scoring opponents by an average of 19 points per game, averaging 77.6 points and allowing just 58.6. Four Bluejays are averaging at least eight points per game at home, led by Ally Thrall's 11.4 per game and followed closely by Kelsey Woodard's 11.2 per game. Sara Cain (9.8) and Kristina Voss (8.8) also average better than eight points per home game, while nine Jays average at least 5.6 points per game at home. CU is shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from three-point range at home this year, compared to 37.2 percent and 31.8 percent, respectively, away from the Civic. The Jays are now 54-19 all-time at home under Jim Flanery, including 35-12 in MVC home games.

100th Home Game Since 2000-01
Saturday's game marks the 100th home game since the beginning of the 2000-01 season. The Bluejays have put together a 75-24 (.758) record at home in that span, including three seasons with just one home loss. Combined with the men, Bluejay basketball teams are 178-39 (.820) at home in the last eight seasons. In fact, the men and women have both lost a home game in the same month just three times since March, 2000.

Against the Bulldogs
The Bluejay senior class is just 2-6 against Drake over the last three years. Last year Sara Cain averaged 17.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game against Drake and is averaging 9.3 points per game against DU in her career. As a sophomore, Ally Thrall averaged 15.5 points per game against her hometown school and is averaging 7.4 points per game against DU in her career. Sam Schuett averaged 7.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game against Drake last year, while Megan Neuvirth pulled down 7.3 rebounds per game against DU last year.

Woodard Named Newcomer Again
For the third time this season, Kelsey Woodard has been named the MVC Newcomer of the Week. The rookie averaged 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in her first two conference games last weekend, 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).

Thrall is Having a (Three) Ball
Ally Thrall has been on fire from three-point range in her last six games, shooting 19-for-28 (.679) from beyond the arc in that span. That surge has pushed her to the league-lead and she now ranks fifth 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.

More Thoughts on Thrall
Ally Thrall poured in a career-high 23 points, including seven of CU's eight overtime points, in its win over Missouri State (Jan. 6). She is now averaging 14.2 points per game in her last contests. She surpassed 900 career points last Sunday and is on pace to become the 19th player in school history to surpass 1,000 career points.

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 on the offensive end in overtime.

Lets Go for 3-0
Creighton is 2-0 in the MVC for the sixth time in the last seven years and will be aiming for its fourth 3-0 start in conference play in Jim Flanery's six years at the helm. The Jays opened the 2005-06 MVC season with four straight wins and have started 3-0 in The Valley six times previously.

Winning Ways
Creighton has won four straight games and is looking for its first five-game winning streak since 2004-05 after the Jays did have a four-game winning streak in both 2005-06 and 2006-07. The 2004-05 team put together an eight-game winning streak, the longest under Jim Flanery, which included a 6-0 start in MVC play. CU's 9-4 start through 13 games, equals its second-best start under Flanery. The 2002-03 squad also started 9-4, while the 2004-05 team opened the year 10-3.

Comparing 13
Creighton is 9-4 through 13 games this year, after opening the season at 3-10 through 13 last year. As one would expect with success, CU's numbers are significantly better this year, particularly on defense. Last year the Jays allowed 72.7 points per game through 13, with six opponents scoring 75 or better in that span. This year the Jays are allowing just 63 points per game and only two teams have scored better than 75 against CU. See the chart below:

Comparing First 13 Games of the Season
Statistic 2006-07 2007-08
Record 3-10 9-4
PPG 65.8 67.8
Opp. PPG 72.7 63.0
FG% 38.7 40.0
Opp. FG% 47.5 41.6
3FG% 29.2 35.7
Opp. 3FG% 40.8 29.6
Reb. Margin -0.9 +3.1
Asst. / game 12.9 15.7
TO / game 18.5 17.9

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 OT 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 45 points total in her last six games and averaged just 5.8 points per game in her last five. While her scoring has dipped, her rebounding has surged. Schuett has grabbed at least 10 rebounds in her last three games, averaging 10.3 board per game in that span, while she is averaging 8.3 rebounds per game in her last six.

It's Raining Threes
With 23 three-pointers in its last two games, the Bluejays now lead the MVC and rank 11th in the NCAA with 7.7 three-pointers per game. Over their last three home games, the Bluejays are averaging 11.7 three-pointers per game. CU has made at least 10 treys 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 are 8-3 when making at least 12 trifectas in a game under Jim Flanery.

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.

Freshmen Lead the Way in MVC Debut
The freshman duo of Kellie Nelson and Kelsey Woodard impressed in their MVC debut on Friday. 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.

Voss on a Roll
Junior Kristina Voss has scored in double figures in three of CU's last four games. She scored a career-high 16 points at Oral Roberts, making 7-of-11 shots. The center is averaging 11.3 points per game over the last four. On the year she leads the team, shooting 56.1 percent from the floor.

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 released this week, the Bluejays rank 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 13 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 30.4 percent, including 30 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 4.2 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-25 (.400) from beyond the arc.

Winning Non-Conference Record
At 7-4, the Bluejays have 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.

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 29.0 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 29.0 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

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.

Bluejays Host Preseason Favorite Drake on Saturday

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Players Mentioned

Tyrai Bronson

Sara Cain

Kelsey Crites

Katie Frank

Abby Henry

Chevelle Herring

Michelle Kaus

Jess Lammers

Kellie Nelson

Megan Neuvirth

Sam Schuett

Ally Thrall

Kristina Voss

Kelsey Woodard

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