March 16, 2004

FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University junior women’s basketball standout Marita Meldere/Rujiena, Latvia (Lynchburg Christian) was named to the Richmond Times-Dispatch Division II-III All-State Women’s Basketball Team, as announced by the newspaper March 16.  Meldere, who received the honor for the second-straight year, paced the Lancers throughout the 2003-04 season with her double-double average of 16.6 points and 12.3 rebounds per game.

In addition to her second-consecutive season with a double-double average, the forward also averaged 2.4 steals, 1.0 assists, and 0.7 blocks, while playing a team-best 30.8 minutes.  Meldere paced the team 21 times this season in rebounding, while posting a team-best point on 17 occasions.

Longwood could return as many as eight letterwinners for 2004-05, a season when the Lancers begin meeting NCAA Division I scheduling requirements – meaning Longwood will play 23-25 Division I games next season.

Division II-III Team

Anita Allen, Apprentice School

Megan Silva, Randolph-Macon

Marita Meldere, Longwood University

Carrie Grandstaff, Eastern Mennonite

Danielle Hoggard, Virginia Union