Texas Tech women's basketball player Alison Cudnoski announced Tuesday she will transfer to Wayland Baptist University for her junior and senior seasons.
Cudnoski, a third-year sophomore, has struggled with injuries during her stay with the Lady Raiders. The Monterey graduate tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee during preseason workouts her freshman year in 1999, ending her season. She was forced to sit out the next season, as well, after re-injuring the knee during the preseason.
This past season, she played in just 12 games, averaging 1.7 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.
"I guess I decided to transfer because I wasn't satisfied with my role," Cudnoski said. "I picked Wayland because it was close and as far as tradition goes, it can't really get any better than there.
"To me, it gave me the feel of a smaller Tech. The people there are just real friendly."
Tech head coach Marsha Sharp was in Colorado Springs, Colo., for the annual Big 12 Spring Meetings and unavailable for comment.
Cudnoski should get a chance to make an immediate impact at Wayland Baptist. She will be eligible to play immediately, since Wayland is an NAIA school. And, since the Flying Queens graduated NAIA All-American post player Cari Lynn Stridde, they will be looking for a replacement next season.
"We are extremely pleased that Alison has decided to be a part of our program," WBU head coach Johnna Pointer said. "She is the type of player who has the ability and experience to make an immediate impact on our team."
Cudnoski was an USA Today honorable mention All-American during her senior year at Monterey in 1998. She averaged 17.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, and shot 57 percent from the field. She scored 1,480 points during her career with the Lady Plainsmen.
"I think just being out two years at college (because of injuries) played a huge part because I didn't get the experience or playing time I needed," Cudnoski said. "It set me back.
"I just finally came down to the decision of what will make me happy. As far as my coaches, teammates and fans at Tech, everything was just wonderful and I couldn't ask for anything better. My final decision just came down to the fact I was willing to sacrifice some of those things in order to be able to be more satisfied with my role (on the court)."
With Cudnoski's departure, Katrisa O'Neal's graduation and the signing of four freshmen, the Lady Raiders will have 14 scholarship players on roster next season, one below the limit of 15.
Jeremy Cowen can be contacted at 766-8736 or jcowen@lubbockonline.com.
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