Kate Kreager Joins Women's Basketball Team

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Oct. 23, 2002

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Junior Kate Kreager has joined the University of Virginia women’s basketball team, head coach Debbie Ryan announced on Wednesday.

The 6-3 forward from Chantilly, Va., played basketball at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, for the last two years. As a sophomore last season, Kreager finished second in team scoring with 13.6 ppg and 5.3 rpg in 28 starts. Named to the Xavier Invitational All-Tournament team, she ranked ninth in the nation in field goal percentage.

As a freshman, Kreager was the only reserve to see action in all 34 games. She led Xavier in minutes played off the bench. Named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week on Dec. 24, 2000, she posted two double-double performances. She helped the Musketeers to an upset of Tennessee in the 2001 NCAA Sweet 16.

“We’re very pleased to have Katie join our team,” Ryan said. “She was an impact player at Xavier and will add versatility and strength to the forward position here at Virginia.”

A 2000 graduate of Chantilly High School, Kreager scored more than 1,000 points during her prep career and became Chantilly’s first girls’ basketball player to have her jersey retired. The First Team All-State honoree was also a USA Today Honorable Mention All-American. A three-time MVP for her high school team, Kreager finished second in the state of Virginia in scoring. She also earned Academic Honor Roll accolades all four years.

Kreager, who will have to sit out this season, will practice with the Cavaliers.

“Katie arrived on grounds and was a very pleasant surprise during tryouts,” Ryan added.

Virginia, which finished the 2002 season at 17-13 with a 19th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, opens its 2003 slate at Old Dominion on Friday, Nov. 22. The first home game of the regular-season is slated for Sunday, Nov. 24 against St. Joseph’s.

Fans can get a sneak peak at this year’s squad during two exhibition contests on Nov. 7. and Nov. 14.