BUENA VISTA, VA. — Looking to embark on this year's journey to defend their conference title from last year and make another trip to the big dance, the Southern Virginia Women's Basketball team debuts in their season, and home, opener Tuesday, November 8, taking on Randolph-Macon for the first time in program history in Knight arena.
 
"We are excited to get out and play," stated Head Coach, Lynnette Schroder. "It has been a while since we have had our first contest of the season at home, but we have worked really hard these last couple of weeks and can't wait to put it together in a game."
 
Last year, the Knights entered their first year within the USA South Athletic Conference picked to finish seventh out of ten teams in the East Division at the end of the season, but quickly began to prove their opposition wrong.
 
Southern Virginia rolled through the regular season, winning the coin toss that locked their No. 1 seed, hosting the USA South Conference Tournament.
 
Handling the Fighting Squirrels easily in the first round, 69-45, Southern Virginia looked to Piedmont in the Conference Semifinals, where the Knights would be matched up against USA South Conference Player of the Year Livia Skinner.
 
Southern Virginia handled Piedmont with poise, and advanced to the program's first conference championship game, where the Knights took on Berea College. Freshman Addison Newman took matters into her own hands, scoring a game-high 21 points to lead the team to a 2021-22 USA South Conference Championship title.
 
The victory marked the program's first ever conference championship, along with the team's first ever eventual NCAA Tournament appearance.
 
The Knights were selected to the big dance the following Monday and were matched up against Shenandoah University for the first round of the NCAA Tournament hosted by Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky.
 
Southern Virginia confidently handled the Hornets, advancing to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament with a 67-48 victory, where the Knights would face regional host Transylvania.
 
The Knights were able to keep the game close in the first half, only trailing the Pioneers by five points. Transylvania displayed their overall team ability the remainder of the game and took control of the game. The Pioneers went on to claim the 77-55 victory over the Knights, putting an end to Southern Virginia's historic season.
 
Impact Players:
With a strong returning class, the Knights will look for the leadership and experience of the upperclassmen consisting of Courtney McKrola, Emma Camden, and Addison Newman. Southern Virginia has several freshmen that can step in and make an immediate impact, which will be showcased against the Yellow Jackets.
 
Keys to the Game:
The Knights will need to defend well and play their pace offensively. With a fresh look to the team, Southern Virginia will see how the offense is coming together, but Coach Schroeder is confident in the team's gritty defense, which will be catalyst for success.
 
For the most up to date information regarding Southern Virginia University Women's Basketball, visit knightathletics.com and follow the team on Instagram @knight_wbb.