Kublina will compete in Beijing Olympics

Former Virginia Tech and Trinity Episcopal standout Ieva Kublina will participate in the upcoming Summer Olympics in Beijing as a member of Latvia's national team.

Kublina, a 6-4 center/forward who graduated in 2004 as one of the most consistently productive players in Hokies history, helped the Latvians secure their first Olympic appearance with a series of solid performances in last week's FIBA qualifying tournament in Madrid. She contributed 15 points and six rebounds to a tense 83-69 victory over Japan, and delivered 11 points and eight rebounds in a blowout of Angola.

Kublina, who plays professionally in Moscow, told a FIBA.com video crew that she "can't even explain" the significance of her team's accomplishment.

"Just to be there and be able to play against the best countries in the world and just the whole atmosphere -- it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Latvia, and for me," she said.

Local fans saw Kublina, a native of Riga, Latvia, just as her career was beginning to blossom. She averaged 16.8 points and 12.0 rebounds, thereby earning second-team All-Metro distinction, in her only season at Trinity Episcopal (1999-2000). She went on to become the third-most prolific scorer (1,647 points), the most formidable shot-blocker (256) and the second-leading rebounder (845) in Virginia Tech history.

Richmond's roster undergoes changes

Mike McGuire, whose Hidden Valley High School girls won a second consecutive state Group AA championship in March, has joined the University of Richmond staff as an assistant to Michael Shafer. McGuire said in an e-mail to his Hidden Valley constituents that he "was not looking to leave the program. I had long-term goals for this program and strong desires to continue to build."

But, he said, "it is an honor when you are sought out for a position of advancement in your career. This was the case for me."

McGuire replaces veteran assistant coach Chris Carroll, who accepted an assistant's position at Kennesaw State, an Atlantic Sun school located in Georgia.

Departing, too, is 6-5 post player Kelley Flynn, a rising sophomore from Hopkinton, N.H. Flynn, who appeared in 21 games as a freshman, averaging 2.0 points and 2.5 rebounds, apparently will transfer to the University of New Hampshire.

"She said she wants to be closer to home," Shafer said.

Familiar faces join ODU's staff

Old Dominion coach Wendy Larry turned to the past to ensure the future of the Lady Monarchs program. Larry has filled the two unoccupied spots on her coaching staff with two of the more dynamic players in ODU and University of Richmond history: Celeste Hill-Brockett and Michele Koclanes.

Hill-Brockett, who previously coached at Holmes High School in her hometown of Covington, Ky., played at ODU for four star-spangled seasons (1991-94). She won three CAA player of the year trophies and still ranks among the Lady Monarchs' top six in scoring (2,112 points), rebounds (1,124) and steals (327).

Koclanes, a 2002 UR graduate, was a four-year starter at point guard and a three-time captain. She scored 1,205 points and rang up a program-record 793 assists. She spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Pennsylvania.

-- Vic Dorr Jr.