BOSTON - On the eve of the 35th season opener, Suffolk women's basketball Head Coach Ed Leyden announced that senior guards Georgia Bourikas and Alexandra Nagri will serve as team captains for the upcoming season.
The duo is one of the most seasoned backcourts in NCAA Division III this year, having started a combined 88 games, with three consecutive GNAC postseason appearances. They're play and sharp shooting has been a key ingredient to the reason the Rams put together a 58.8 winning percentage (63-44) over the past three seasons.
Bourikas returns to her post as captain after leading last season's squad to the most conference victories (12) since joining the GNAC ranks in 1996. Thanks to her career campaign, posting career-highs in field goal percentage (39.3), three-point percentage (41.5), rebounds (5.4 rpg), assists (2.6 apg) and blocks (0.5 bpg), the Hull, Massachusetts, product garnered all-conference third-team recognition for the first time in her career. Bourikas looks to seal up her spot in the Rams' record books as the small forward is 279 shy from the 1,000-point milestone, while she looks to add to her 107 treys made, which is already good for fourth-place all-time in Suffolk history. She also has a shot to stamp her name on the all-time lists for assists (154) and blocks (27).
After a stellar senior season on the pitch, leading the Rams' women's soccer team to their seventh league postseason tournament and the program's first-ever victory over conference powerhouse Lasell Sept. 27, Nagri takes her talents to the hardwood. The guard, who calls Salem, New Hampshire home, looks to improve upon a junior season in which she averaged 7.5 ppg and 2.0 apg.
The pair, who each have the chance to join Suffolk's 100-games played club, look to lead the Rams to their 24th consecutive GNAC postseason appearance and first-ever conference championship.
Suffolk, who will play its seventh straight season opener away from home, tips off the 2017-18 slate Wednesday, Nov. 15 when it travels to Salve Regina. Game time at the Rodgers Recreation Center is set for 7 p.m.