Virginia Commonwealth University has received a dubious reward for the finest season in their women's basketball program's 33-year history.

The Rams, 26-8 in 2008, must travel to Lynchburg for a date with Big South champion Liberty in the opening round of the Preseason Women's National Invitational Tournament. If VCU wins its Nov. 14 date with the Flames, it will almost certainly face perennial Final Four contender North Carolina in the second round. Pairings and destinations were announced yesterday.

Liberty (28-4 in 2008) poses a thorny physical problem for the Rams. The Flames' roster includes identical 6-2 triplets Megan, Molly and Moriah Frazee. Megan Frazee, a 6-2 forward, was chosen as the Big South player of the year and the Times Dispatch state player of the year in 2008.

VCU's most imposing interior weapon, 6-5 Quanitra Hollingsworth, is recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in February.

Each participant in the 16-team Preseason WNIT is guaranteed at least three games. -- Vic Dorr Jr.