Union, Lee, Valdosta State Dance Into NCAA Postseason
INDIANAPOLIS — Union, Lee and Valdosta State were among the 64 teams announced as part of the 2022 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship. The tournament will begin with regional on Friday, March 11, in Jackson, Tenn. The Division II Elite Eight this season will be held in Birmingham, Ala., the week of March 21.
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Union will be the top-seed and host of the NCAA South Region tournament. The Lady Bulldogs carry a 26-2 record and are riding a 23-0 game win streak.
The team is led by GSC Player of the Year Jaelencia Williams, who also garnered Most Outstanding Player honors during the tournament after averaging a 16.3 points and 12 rebounds during the three-game stretch.
All-conference and all-tournament selections Shanique Lucas and Ashtyn Baker have also been key to Union's success this season. Lucas averages 11.4 points per contest, while Baker is seventh among conference leaders with 3.3 assists per game.
The Lady Bulldogs will begin play against SIAC's Savannah State, who will be the No. 8-seed.
Lee (24-7) and Valdosta State (23-5) received at-large bids. The Lady Flames announced as the No. 3-seed with the Lady Blazers sliding in at the No. 7-seed.
First Team All-GSC pick Haley Schubert is Lee's top scorer this season with 16.8 points per game while averaging 4.9 assists. Camryn Grant meanwhile has controlled the glass for the Lady Flames pulling down 6.1 rebounds a game.
The Lady Blazers are headlined by the All-GSC duo of Kwajelin Farrar and Nicole Heyn. Farrar has been VSU's top rebounder and scorer this year averaging 8.1 boards and 14.7 points. Heyn follows with 13.6 points and 7.6 rebounds, while also averaging 2.2 steals.
Lee will open play against SIAC tournamet champ No. 6 Benedict, while Valdosta State starts its tournament bid again second-seed Tampa from the Sunshine State Conference.
NOTES: The GSC is 146-102 all-time in NCAA postseason play with 26 total Elite Eight appearances … Union is 7-5 in six NCAA appearances … Lee is 1-4 in five NCAA appearances … Valdosta State is 13-12 in 12 NCAA appearances.