Lady Monarchs Basketball Team Opens Season Friday Versus Stanford

The Old Dominion University Lady Monarchs basketball team opens its regular season Friday night at the Ted Constant Convocation Center. And the team isn't exactly starting out with a patsy opponent. The No. 2-ranked Stanford Cardinal visits the Ted in the 2009-10 season debut for both teams.

ODU is looking to "pack the house" for Friday's game as part of an NCAA challenge. Pack the House is a competition among NCAA schools, and student activity leaders on campus are pulling out all the stops to get fans in the seats.

To encourage more students to come out, the Monarch Maniacs student spirit group has papered the campus with fliers. Residence hall visits by members of the women's team were to happen Wednesday night.

The price of general public tickets has been reduced to $5, half off the regular price. Students can get tickets for free.

Fans are encouraged to wear blue in an attempt to "Blue Out" the Constant Center, while helping to break the all-time attendance record for ODU women's basketball. The tipoff for Friday's game is at 7 p.m.

The Lady Monarchs, whose streak of 17 straight conference titles came to an end last season, are looking to regain their traditional position of dominance in the Colonial Athletic Association.