Game NotesTicket Information JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The 2014-15 season begins on Saturday night for the University of North Florida women's basketball team as the Ospreys host Georgia State at 7 p.m., at UNF Arena.
"We are looking forward to opening our season at home for the first time in 10 years," said head coach
Mary Tappmeyer, who starts her 23rd season at the helm of the Ospreys and her 30th overall as a head coach. "We have a lot of new faces and we are excited to be able to play in front of our fans."
It is the first time in the Ospreys' Division I era in which they open the season at home. Additionally, it is the first time UNF starts the season with a Sun Belt opponent. Since 2005-06, UNF has opened with an ACC school five times (Florida State twice, Miami twice, and North Carolina once), a SEC opponent twice (Florida and Ole Miss), a Big South school once (Winthrop) and a MEAC school once (Bethune-Cookman).
Season tickets and single-game tickets are currently on sale for the 2014-15 season. Adult season tickets are $35, while a Family 4 Pack (2 Adult, 2 Youth) is priced at $105. Single-game tickets are $6 Adult and $4 Youth 17-and-under, Senior Citizens 55+, UNF Faculty/Staff, and Military. Students with a valid Osprey 1 Card and children 2-and-under are free. Tickets can be purchased online at
www.UNFOspreys.com, by phone at (904) 620-BIRD (2473) or at the UNF Arena Ticket Office.
Home Sweet Home: Since the opening of UNF Arena on Jan. 16, 1993, the Ospreys have enjoyed much success on their home court, compiling a 196-115 record. UNF is 18-4 all-time in their first home game of the season.
What a Win Means: With a win on Saturday night, the Ospreys would get its first season-opening victory since winning 73-48 at Winthrop on Nov. 18, 2005.
Just About Even: The 2014-15 Ospreys are split evenly between returns and newcomers. Seven veterans return for UNF (seniors
Destinee Smith,
Brittney Wright and
Paulina Zaveckaite and sophomores
Bailey Florin,
Amber Robinson,
Flo Ward and Janeá Williams), while seven others make their first appearance in an Osprey uniform (juniors
Kadesia Johnson and Catelyn Spane, sophomore
Taru Madekivi and freshmen
Lindsey Levings,
Tori Pharr,
Maiya Rumph and
Sierra Shepherd)
Just a Local: Freshman
Sierra Shepherd is the only Jacksonville native on the 2014-15 roster. She was a member of Ribault High School's two state championships teams.
Scouting Georgia State: Returns 12 letterwinners from a year ago and had Brittany Logan and Alisha Andrews earned Preseason All-Sun Belt honors… Game at UNF is one of two non-conference road games for Georgia State this season. The other game is at Morehead State… Has three common opponents with UNF this season – Thomas (Ga.), Samford and Kennesaw State… Won a 99-60 exhibition game against Montevallo last Thursday.
UNF-Georgia State Series: Georgia State leads the series 1-0 after defeating the Ospreys 76-41 on Dec. 19, 2006 at the UCF Holiday Classic.
Game Promotions: First 100 students receive a free rally towel.
