MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The Montevallo women's basketball team is set to open the 2022 regular season as the Falcons host the GSC-SSC Crossover Classic on Nov. 11 and 12.
Montevallo will tip off the new season with a matchup against Nova Southeastern on Friday, Nov. 11 at 4 p.m. before facing Embry-Riddle the following afternoon at 2 p.m.
The Falcons took to the court in two exhibition games against Southeastern Baptist and Jacksonville State. Montevallo easily took the first matchup of the preseason with a 72-21 romp of Southeastern Baptist before travelling to Div. I Jacksonville State. The Falcons battled hard in a tight contest against the Gamecocks but ultimately fell short after missing a game-tying three-pointer in the closing seconds.
"Actually, there have been several," said Head Coach
Gary Van Atta when asked about the standout players in the Falcons two exhibtions. "In our offense, anyone can be a standout player on a given night. So far, I think,
Miriam Oldacre, AK Eastman, Belle Grimes and
Jordan Parker have all had excellent games, but I could honestly name 3 or 4 more who have stepped and helped us."
Coach Van Atta returns to the court with veteran team made up of five seniors, four juniors and a group of five freshman. The Falcons two top scorers from a season ago in
Marisa Snodgrass and
Shyan Flack return for their senior season. Snodgrass averaged a team-high 11.1 points per game during the 2021-22 campaign while Flack scored 10.4 points per game. Flack, the senior forward, was also the Falcons' leader in rebounds with 6.8 boards per game. Snodgrass, a senior point guard, was one of the top passers in the league from a season ago with an average of 4.0 assist per game during the 27-game stretch. The pair of seniors are not only the leaders on the court but also in the locker room.
"Their leadership is invaluable," said Van Atta. "The way they have helped this young team has been a cool thing to watch."
The team is Not led by Flack and Snodgrass alone but everyone on the roster has played a role in the Falcons' leadership both physically and emotionally. "Our entire team is vocal and emotional," said Van Atta. "From Senior to Freshman, they all get excited and cheer for each other. It's a coach's dream."
The Falcons set of newcomers saw two named to the 2022 GSC Newcomer Watchlist,
Jordan Parker and
Isabel Grimes. Parker, a junior transfer from Delta State, has already made a big impact on the teams' scoring with seven points in the first exhibition matchup followed by a big performance against JSU with 14 total points and 10 in the second quarter to pull the Falcons back into the game. Grimes has also made an impact in the Falcons' preseason matchups. The freshman guards' debut in the purple and gold saw the Harned, Ky. native score ten points with six rebounds while dishing out six assists in her 39 minutes over the two-games stretch.
"They, like all of our newcomers, bring a high energy level to practice every day," said Van Atta when asked about Grimes and Parker. "Their hard work helps everyone get better including themselves."
After a 13-16 record and a trip to the Gulf South Conference tournament, the Falcons were picked to finish ninth in the league in the Preseason Coaches Poll. Montevallo has played in each of the last three conference tournaments.
When asked about the team's goals for the season, Van Atta said "We want to play fast, play smart, and play hard! If we do that we will achieve all of our goals of returning to the post season and winning."
The Falcons hope to improve on their record from a season ago as they begin the 2022-23 campaign with a matchup against Nova Southeastern on Nov. 11 at 4 p.m.
Veterans and active duty military will receive free admission to both of the GSC-SSC Crossover Classic games on Nov. 11.
Stay up to date with Montevallo women's basketball online at montevallofalcons.com and on social media @umwbb.
