The Triangle

Issue date: 9/25/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Triangle File Photo

Drexel women's basketball has noticeably increased their strength of schedule from last season to now.

One name that stands out is the Maryland Terrapins, the number five-ranked team in the nation according to the ESPN/USA Today Poll.

Other names that stand out on the list are the Penn State Nittany Lions, the Richmond Spiders and CAA rival, the Old Dominion Lady Monarchs.

The season begins with nine non-conference games, which are followed by the Wildcat classic in Villanova, Pa.

Head coach Denise Dillon did not think that the Dragon's non-conference schedule this past season was much to marvel at. So she felt that they had to step their scheduling up a few notches.

"We added a couple stronger teams to our non-conference schedule. The way Amy Mallon, my assistant head coach who does the scheduling with me and I looked at it; we said we're playing teams that we think would help get us some confidence and get us ready for conference play but we weren't doing very well," Dillon said.

Dillon felt that adding a powerhouse such as Maryland, and large names such as Penn State and Richmond would help give her team some much-needed experience.

"The way I saw it, we needed to challenge our girls, and we're certainly going to get that challenge … it's contagious to tell the girls to do what we are asking you to do. Do what you're capable of doing," Dillon said. "Don't get so hung up on the other team's name or what they have accomplished in the past. We're all starting off new teams, a new year. So we'll take care of it."

Come January, the Dragons begin their conference schedule starting with the James Madison Dukes in a rematch of last year's CAA Championship.

Last year, Drexel defeated the Duke's 64-58, capping what can only be described as a dream season.

Drexel faces off against ODU Jan. 10, which is a matchup of the last two CAA champions.

The Dragons are also set to play the Virginia Commonwealth Rams Jan. 24 and Feb. 14.

The women will finish up their season against the Tribe of William and Mary. Following that, the Dragons will travel to Harrisonburg, Va. for the CAA tournament.

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