Sports Editor
While the rest of the players on the Demon Deacon women's basketball team have had the injury curse over the past two years, one player who has escaped that has been senior Val Hodge.
A 6-0 forward, Hodge has been a part of the starting lineup since her sophomore year. She has played almost every position along the way, but no matter where she plays, she is always counted on to score. Last season Hodge averaged 11.7 points per game while pulling down an average of 5.5 rebounds.
Hodge's strengths lie in her athletic ability and her consistency, as well as her veteran experience. Playing in the front court, Hodge has a very accurate shot from within 16 feet. She is a converted wing player who has started in every Demon Deacon game over the past two years.
Last season, she set career highs in two areas. Both came when she scored 24 points and tallied 17 rebounds in a winning effort against Florida Atlantic.
Hodge is also the type of player who is constantly improving and is able to mold into the role that she needs to play. Her freshman year she earned the Demon Deacons' Most Improved Award. While she is most comfortable shooting mid-range jumpers and playing outside the paint, Hodge has had to fill in for other injured Demon Deacons at center, power forward and small forward.
Some of Hodge's previous accomplishments include an all-tournament honor in the 1993 ODU-Dial Classic and a 70-point performance in a high school game. Before becoming a Demon Deacon, Hodge averaged 42.5 points per game in high school, was a USA Today All-American for being West Virginia's Player of the Year, was named Gatorade Circle of Champions state Player of the Year and named a Street and Smith and Parade honorable mention All-American.
What Hodge needs to contribute to this year's team is more scoring punch combined with a continuing ability to stay healthy. Her previous credentials prove that she has the scoring touch and the accuracy to dominate from outside. She led the Deacons and was eighth in the ACC last year in field goal percentage, at 46 percent.
If she can average a few more points per game, she will help the Demon Deacons to achieve their potential breakthrough season in the ACC.