FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 9, 2009 |
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2008–2009 SEASON RECAP
OVERALL RECORD: 27-4; CONFERENCE 12-2
NCAA DIVISION III SWEET 16
END OF THE SEASON NATIONAL RANKING: 9
The 2008-2009 season was a banner one for Oglethorpe University women's basketball. The team accumulated their most wins (27), fewest losses (4) and best winning percentage (.870) in the history of Oglethorpe University women's basketball. In addition to the season statistics, the Petrels captured their first SCAC Championship when they topped Trinity University 82-65 on March 1, 2009.
After securing the first SCAC Championship in school history, Oglethorpe entered the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive season, this time as an automatic qualifier and, for the first time in school history, Oglethorpe was selected to host Tournament games.
On March 6, 2009, Oglethorpe hosted that first NCAA Tournament game on Pinholster Court and did not disappoint the capacity crowd in earning a hard fought 68-65 win over Maryville College. Senior Anna Findley connected on a three-pointer with less than a minute left to lift Oglethorpe to the stirring win. The following night on Pinholster Court contained fewer dramatics as the Petrels ran by Greensoboro College 67-40 en route to their second consecutive Sweet 16 appearance. Dreams of a second consecutive trip to the Final Four were dashed, however, when the Petrels fell to eventual tournament winner George Fox on March 13, 71-56.
The graduating class of 2009 has much to be proud of as their accomplishments span across much of the Oglethorpe University women's basketball record books. The group of Katie Kulavic, Anna Findley, Tina Grace, Biz Richmann and Hannah Brooks each recorded over 500 rebounds for their career with all but Brooks also topping 1,000 points for their career. In four seasons, this starting five accumulated a staggering 96-26 all time record for a program that had never won more than 12 games in a season prior to 2005.
Katie Kulavic was named one of only 10 State Farm All-Americans nationwide and Anna Findley was named one of only 15 D3hoops.com All-Americans as well. Additionally, Kulavic was selected as the Georgia Basketball Player-of-the-Year for all divisions and Ron Sattele was named Georgia Basketball Coach-of-the-Year for all divisions as well.
Seniors Hannah Brooks, Jamie Osmanson, Tina Grace, Katie Kulavic, Anna Findley and Biz richmann celebrate winning the SCAC Championship for the first time in school history.
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