The Joe Frager era of Fairfield University women's basketball tips off on Wednesday, Nov. 14 as the Stags take to the road for a 7 p.m. meeting with Atlantic-10 Conference member Richmond in Virginia.  The Stags are 0-0 while the Spiders are 1-1.  (game notes)

The Stags will be led by senior Sabra Wrice who averaged 15.7 points per game as a junior on her way to becoming the 21st player in program history to eclipse 1,000 career points.  The two-guard enters the year 18th on the all-time scoring list, with 1,076 points.  A First-Team All-MAAC selection a year ago, Wrice was also voted to the preseason First Team this year by the leagues head coaches.

Baendu Lowenthal returns for her junior season, after earning All-MAAC Second Team honors a year ago.  As a sophomore she averaged 11.4 points per game and 6.1 rebounds per game, good for second on the team.  She also recorded six double-doubles during the campaign, as she started all 30 games for the Stags

Sophomore Stephanie Geehan looks to build on her All-MAAC Rookie Team selection of a year ago.  She was the teams top rebounder as a freshman, pulling in 7.4 boards a game, as well as scoring 6.1 points a contest.  

The Stags will look to junior Megan Caskin to reprise her role as the team's starting point guard once again this season.  She dished out 97 assists a year ago, playing in all 30 games and playing nearly 28 minutes a game.  Classmate Lauren Groom should see plenty of time at the three this season, looking to take over the role of downtown sharpshooter from the graduated Cara Murphy.

Fairfield will have plenty of depth, with a roster of 14 this season.  Leading the way will be a duo of seniors, with plenty of experience on their resume.  Stephanie Cziria is the team's leading active shot blocker, with 42, entering the season.  She has played in 75 games over her three year career, averaging 3.3 points and 2.2 rebounds a game.  Meka Werts will bring an influx of energy every time she steps on the floor this season, after leading the team in steals, with 61 as a junior.  She has seen time in 82 games over the course of her career, with 37 starts, and is averaging 6.7 points per game in that time.

The University of Richmond has played two games already this season, falling ot #10 Georgia in the opener, 81-53, before defeating Kennesaw State, 61-60, on a free throw with six seconds to play.   The game with the Stags will be the home opener for the Spiders.  Katie Holzer leads the team with 11.5 points and 8.0 rebounds, a number equaled by Johanna Mcknight.  Brittani Shells is the leader with six assists, but also had turned the ball over a team-high 11 times.

Fans can listen to the game on WVOF, 88.5 FM, with John Cummings providing the play-by-play for his 14th season.