Big Red Tip Off 2006-07

Lincoln- The Nebraska women's basketball teams celebrated the official start of practice with Big Red Tipoff on Friday evening at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The Huskers signed autographs and greeted fans in the upper concourse before being introduced to the crowd on the arena floor at 6:30 p.m. 

 

After the team was introduced, fifth-year Nebraska Coach Connie Yori took center court and briefly welcomed Husker fans to the start of another season.

 

Yori encouraged fans to come support an up-and-coming Husker team in 2006-07. Nebraska, which has advanced to postseason in three consecutive seasons, will feature two-time first-team All-Big 12 guard Kiera Hardy, 2006 Big 12 All-Freshman selection Kelsey Griffin and 2005 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Jelena Spiric on a talented roster in 2006-07.

 

The Huskers also welcome the return of three-year senior captain and Canadian National Team member Chelsea Aubry, senior point guard Ashley Ford, junior forward Danielle Page and sophomore guard TK LaFleur.

 

Along with NU's nucleus of seven returning players, the Huskers will feature a five-player recruiting class that includes WBCA High School All-American Yvonne Turner from Omaha and Iowa Female Athlete of the Year Kala Kuhlmann from Charter-Oak. Nebraska's freshman class also includes All-Arizona guard Nicole Neals, All-Minnesota forward Cory Montgomery and All-Nebraska center Nikki Bober from Elmwood-Murdock High School.

 

The Huskers officially opened practice at Mabel Lee Hall on Friday at 7 p.m. While the Huskers headed to their practice facility to begin their preparations for the start of the season, fans remained at the Devaney Center to welcome new Nebraska men's basketball coach Doc Sadler to his first season in Lincoln.

 

Children of all ages enjoyed the carnival-like atmosphere in the Devaney Center concourse, which featured inflatable games, music and other fun activities. Fans were also treated to free Wimmers hot dogs and Pepsi products.

 

Coach Yori will lead the Huskers through practices Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday before taking time out to travel to Big 12 Conference Media Day at the COX Convention Center in Oklahoma City on Wednesday afternoon.

 

Nebraska opens exhibition play at the Devaney Center by taking on Nebraska-Kearney on Nov. 1 at 7:05 p.m., before playing its second exhition game against Nebraska-Omaha on Saturday, Nov. 4, at 4:05 p.m.

 

The Huskers open regular-season play at the Veterans Day Classic in Tempe, Ariz., Nov. 10-13. In their opening weekend of competition, Nebraska will face three 2006 NCAA Tournament teams, starting with the hosts from Arizona State, Florida Atlantic and New Mexico.