Norman — When Brigitte Ardossie first came to Georgia Tech four years ago, the program’s NCAA tournament barely registered a blip on the national scene. In 31 years, the team had advanced to the tournament only twice.
However, beginning with Ardossie’s freshman year, the Yellow Jackets have reached the Big Dance every season. For her, it’s no longer a surprise to play in the postseason. It’s expected.
“The difference from last season, I think, is just the fact that it’s an expectation that we’re here,” Ardossie, a senior from Melbourne, Australia, said. “Whereas, before, I remember my first year being in the NCAA Tournament, it was just exciting that we made it and everything. It’s not a new thing. This is what we do now.”
It’s that experience that will come in handy when Tech takes on the Arkansas-Little Rock at 6:16 p.m. today in the opening round of the NCAA tournament at Lloyd Noble Center. While the Yellow Jackets are now considered veterans, the Trojans are making their first Big Dance appearance.
“Georgia Tech has been here before, so they know what it takes to prepare for these games,” UALR senior Kim Sitzmann said. “Being the first time ever for us, it’s the big time and we have to come in with more focus than we have had all year.”
Despite the Yellow Jackets’ experience, they’re still a young squad. They have only four juniors or seniors on the roster.
That’s not a concern for Ardossie.
“Having the experience I’ve had with four NCAA tournaments and our juniors and sophomores, they’ve experienced it also,” she said. “UALR coming in for the first time, they have no expectations. They’re just coming out giving it their all. But for us, having the previous experience, we know what to expect.”
The Trojans will counter with one of the nation’s most prolific scorers. Junior Chastity Reed is averaging 25.3 points and almost eight rebounds a game. She will present the Yellow Jackets with a difficult challenge.
“She reminds me of Shenise Johnson from Miami,” Tech’s Alex Montgomery. “We were capable of stopping here and we’re capable of stopping Reed too.”
UALR also has the experience of winning 21 straight games before losing in overtime, 70-68, to Middle Tennessee in the Sun Belt Conference postseason tourney championship March 9.
Montgomery is no stranger to filling the stat sheet either. As a sophomore last year she led the Yellow Jackets in points, rebounds and minutes. However, she injured her knee in the first round of the ACC tournament last year and missed the rest of the postseason.
She’s glad to be back.
“Last year I had to sit out and this year I’m just ready to give it my all,” Montgomery said. “Make my seniors proud, make my fans and coach proud, and just play basketball.”
Michael Kinney 366-3537 mkinney@normantranscript.com
