WASHINGTON - The Georgetown University women's basketball team will open the 2015-16 season on Friday evening at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore (UMES) at 6 p.m., in Princess Anne, Md. This is the second-consecutive season that the Hoyas have opened the schedule against the Lady Hawks.

Friday will mark the start of Head Coach Natasha Adair's second season. Adair returned to the Hilltop after serving as an assistant with the Hoyas for six seasons. She has a talented staff including former players Melba Chambers (C'99) and Sarah Jenkins (C'05) as well as new Associate Head Coach James Howard who was an assistant for one season on the Hilltop.

Reigning BIG EAST Freshman of the Year Dorothy Adomako (Midlothian, Va./Cosby) was an uncontested Preseason All-BIG EAST pick entering her sophomore year after ranking among the conference leaders in scoring and rebounding as a rookie. Adomako totaled eight double-doubles during her freshman campaign, ranking second among all BIG EAST players, while her nine double-digit rebounding performances listed third. She was a five-time BIG EAST Freshman of the Week and became Georgetown's fifth Freshman of the Year.

She led the Hoyas in scoring with 13.1 ppg as well as a team-best 6.8 rpg. Adomako started in all 31 contests for the Blue & Gray and was third on the squad in assists (48), fourth in blocks (15) and steals (29). The guard was also named to the 2014-15 BIG EAST All-Freshman Team. The Blue & Gray was selected to finish seventh in the conference with 34 points.

Adair has the luxury of all five starters back from 2014-15, including Adomako. Joining her on the perimeter is senior Logan Battle (Springfield, Va,/West Springfield), junior Faith Woodard (Brandon, Fla./Freedom) and sophomore DiDi Burton (XX). Woodard was GU's third-leading scorer a season ago averaging 7.9 ppg and the squad's third leading rebounder with 5.4 rpg, while Battle averaged 7.2 ppg. Burton managed a team-best 96 assists as a freshman point guard.

In the paint, the Hoyas return senior Dominique Vitalis (Bloomfield, N.J./Gill St. Bernard's) who is expected to take on an enhanced role. Vitalis ranked second on the team in points and rebounds with 9.1 ppg and 6.2 rpg, respectively.

Also expecting to play important roles are graduate student Jasmine Jackson (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge), and senior guard Katie McCormick (Leonardtown, Md./St. Mary's Ryken). Jackson returns for her final season of eligibility after spending two seasons on the Hilltop before transferring to George Mason University. McCormick was the Hoyas' third-leading scorer last season with 7.9 ppg hitting an impressive 53 3-pointers.

The Hoyas went 4-27 overall and 2-16 in league play in Adair's first season on the Hilltop.

The Lady Hawks went 14-16 a season ago, but advanced to the MEAC Tournament Championship Game before falling to Savannah State, 65-47.

Opening this season, forward Alexis Udoji was chosen to the Preseason All-MEAC Team for the second-consecutive season. The Lady Hawks placed third in the league's preseason poll after receiving 259 points and three first-place votes. The team downed Wesley College in an exhibition game, 93-37, to open the year.

The Hoyas are 3-0 all-time against UMES winning the last meeting, 88-75, at home a season ago. Vitalis led the way with 19 points and 10 boards, while Adomako added 17 points and 14 rebounds in her first collegiate game. McCormick rounded out those in double figures with 15 points. This will be the first meeting in Maryland for the squads.

Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m., at the William P. Hytche Athletic Center. Live stats and a free webcast will be available at www.GUHoyas.com.