BOONE, N.C.- Having posted one of the most successful campaigns in program history a season ago, Appalachian State University women's basketball looks to continue with its winning ways, as the Mountaineers unveiled their 2010-11 slate Wednesday. Highlighted by 13 home contests, two match-ups against Atlantic Coast Conference contenders, and tilts against Atlantic Sun and Big South Champions, the Apps have quite a grueling scheduling awaiting them for the upcoming season.
The season tips off with an exhibition game on October 30 against Lees-McRae in the Holmes Center. When the two teams met a season ago, ASU belted the Bobcats, pouring in 106 points.
Appalachian starts its regular-season slate at the Longwood Tournament, November 12 and 13, and for the third-straight year, will open up play in a contest against former Southern Conference foe Marshall.
The Apps then face Campbell in the second game of the tournament, making it the first time the two teams have met since the 2002-03 season.
Continuing with its non-conference rivalry, Appalachian heads to Johnson City, Tenn. to battle Atlantic Sun regular-season and tournament champion East Tennessee State on November 19. ASU squeaked out a five-point win over the Lady Buccaneers in a high-scoring 92-87 affair in Boone last December.
Finally making their home debut, the Mountaineers welcome familiar foe Gardner-Webb to the High Country on November 22. The Big South regular season champions are 2-0 all-time against ASU.
The homestand continues as the Apps start SoCon action against Elon on November 29. Appalachian swept the Phoenix in 2009-10, winning by 19 points in both games.
In-state opponent UNC Asheville then makes its way to Boone, as the Apps and Bulldogs square off on December 2, making it the first time the two teams have played since the 2003-04 season.
The Mountaineers then hit the road for a game against perennial ACC power Maryland on December 5. The Terrapins went 21-13 during the 2009-10 regular season and finished ninth in their conference. Not complete strangers to each other, the two teams last met in December of 2005, when UM handed ASU a 118-59 setback.
After taking a 12-day reprieve for finals, Appalachian switches gears and jumps back into conference play, traveling to Greenville, S.C. to face Furman. The Apps went 2-1 against the Paladins last year, including beating them in the SoCon Tournament quarterfinals, but has lost to Furman in the month of December in the past two seasons.
Two more games before 2010 comes to a close await ASU, as a home contest against Western Carolina on December 20 and a game at Wake Forest round out the 2010 portion of the schedule.
2011 begins with a bang, as the Apps host College of Charleston on January 3 to open the New Year. The two teams met three times last season, with ASU winning on all-three occasions.
Non-conference action caps off with a trip to Richmond, Va. to take on Richmond on January 5.
Southern Conference play carries on in earnest with tilts at Wofford on January 8 and Georgia Southern on January 10. The Eagles were just one of two conference teams (Chattanooga) that ASU went winless against during the 2009-10 campaign.
Appalachian then treks back to Boone for two pivotal games against Samford and Chattanooga on January 14 and 16.
ASU earned its first-ever win over Samford last February and tied with the Bulldogs for a second-place league finish, but Samford ousted ASU in the SoCon Tournament semifinals in 2010.
With a quick turnaround, the Apps then host regular-season and tournament champion Chattanooga. Appalachian fell to UTC by a combined 10 points in both meetings during the 2009-10 season, including a controversial three-point loss in McKenzie Arena.
Games at Davidson (Jan. 19), UNCG (Jan. 22) and Elon (Jan. 24), along with a home contest against Furman (Jan. 29) and a final road game at Western Carolina (Jan. 31) cap off the busy month of January.
The Mountaineers open February with a home game against Davidson on February 2 and then have their final road stint, with games at CofC, Samford and Chattanooga.
Playing the final three games of the season on their home floor, the Apps close out regular season action on February 26 against UNCG.
The SoCon Tournament returns to Chattanooga for the second time in three years and will take place March 3-7.
ASU returns all five starters to the fold, along with nine letter winners for the upcoming season, and welcomes five highly touted newcomers.
Third-year head coach Darcie Vincent is excited about the 2010-11 schedule and the challenges it presents.
"We are extremely excited about the upcoming season and our non-conference schedule," Vincent said. "We are looking forward to the challenges ahead of us, and enjoy the fact that we have the opportunities to compete against local teams and are creating competitive traditions against such teams as ETSU, Gardner Webb and University of Asheville. Additionally, we will be put to the test as we travel to the University of Maryland, a NCAA Women's Basketball champion, and Wake Forest, two top level Division I teams."