COLLEGE BASKETBALL
The threat of a winter storm in Hampton Roads has prompted Old Dominion, Norfolk State and Hampton to change the start times of basketball games Saturday.
The Monarchs announced that their Sun Belt home game against Louisiana has been moved from 7 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Chartway Arena. Because of the change, Ronnie Valentine’s jersey retirement will now be held during ODU’s home game against Georgia State on Feb. 14. In addition, Alumni Day and senior recognition will also take place that day.
The Spartans announced that their MEAC women’s and men’s home games against Coppin State have been moved up as well. The women’s game will start at 11 a.m. instead of 2 p.m. and the men’s game will begin at 1:30 p.m. instead of 4:30 p.m.
The Pirates announced that their CAA home game against UNC Wilmington has been shifted from 2:30 p.m. to noon.
The William & Mary women’s game at Northeastern on Friday has been changed from 7 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. due to the impending winter storm. The Tribe’s game at Hofstra on Sunday is still scheduled to tip off at 1 p.m.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Colorado DE commits to Hokies
Virginia Tech has secured a commitment from Colorado defensive end Samuel Okunlola, the program announced on social media.
The 6-4, 250-pound Brockton, Massachusetts, native has 49 career tackles, including 12 for losses, and eight sacks in parts of two seasons with the Buffaloes and one with Pittsburgh. He saw limited action this season due to injuries.
COLLEGE TENNIS
ODU, NSU women’s matches off
The Old Dominion and Norfolk State women’s tennis teams were scheduled to face Mississippi State at ODU’s indoor courts Saturday, but both matches won’t be played due to the impending winter storm in the region.
ODU’s match won’t be rescheduled, while NSU said a makeup date with the Bulldogs hasn’t been announced.
The Monarchs will return to action Jan. 30 at Maryland. The Spartans are scheduled to visit William & Mary on Jan. 31.
ODU women’s trio earn SBC awards
Three Old Dominion women’s tennis players have earned Sun Belt Conference honors.
Kira Matushkina has been named the league’s Singles Player of the Week after going 2-1 last weekend in the Michigan Hidden Duals at the No. 1 spot. She earned her victories over No. 3 Piper Charney of Michigan (6-4, 3-6, 6-2) and Xavier’s Abby Nugent (6-4, 6-2).
Marina Markina and Uladzislava Manzhos have been selected as the Doubles Team of the Week after also going 2-1 in the Michigan tournament. They defeated Ella DeFord and Madeleine Rexroat of Xavier 6-3 and Michigan’s Lily Jones and Ava Bruno 6-2.
ODU men’s duo pick up SBC honors
Old Dominion men’s tennis players Adam Majchrzak and Thomas Nelson have earned Sun Belt Singles Player of the Week and Doubles Team of the Week honors.
Majchrzak went 4-0 over the team’s opening weekend, including a victory over No. 82 Edward Liao of Yale (6-4, 6-4) at the No. 2 position.
At No. 1 doubles, Majchrzak and Nelson defeated Georgetown’s Arthur O’Sullivan and Burke Pablo (6-2) and Yale’s Jason Shuler and Dylan Tsoi (6-2).
COLLEGE TRACK AND FIELD
NSU’s Saunders receives accolades
Norfolk State men’s track and field athlete Jaymes Saunders has been named the MEAC Field Athlete of the Week.
He won the long jump at the HBCU Showcase on Jan. 17 with a leap of 7.52 meters. He also placed second in the 60-meter hurdles (7.93) and fourth in the high jump (1.96 meters).
Briefly
Former James Madison Director of Athletics Don Lemish died on Monday at the age of 82, the JMU athletic department announced. Lemish spent 12 years at JMU, including six as Vice President for University Advancement (1987-1993) and six as AD (1993-1999).
