#1 Erica Solomon 2008-09 Women's Basketball Roster

OVERVIEW: Athletic post player who enjoyed good offseason development … has potential to be a significant member of Irish front-line rotation … biggest contributions thus far have come at defensive end of court (rebounding and blocked shots) … uses long arms, deceptive quickness and agility to block or alter shots, as well as grab rebounds in traffic … also counted on for production in presses … has effective array of offensive post moves, while also displaying a solid mid-range shot … adds depth and versatility to the Irish lineup … with continued growth and development, possibilities are limitless for her.

SOPHOMORE SEASON (2009-10): Played in 11 games before choosing to turn her full attention to her academic pursuits … averaged 3.4 points and 1.3 rebounds per game … made season debut at #21 Michigan State after missing Arkansas-Pine Bluff season opener with sprained ankle suffered in practice … grabbed four rebounds in each of three games at Paradise Jam … scored season-high nine points against South Carolina at Paradise Jam … tied career best with two assists, in addition to seven points, vs. No. 20/17 Oklahoma at Paradise Jam … turned in solid weekend at Paradise Jam, averaging 7.3 ppg. and 4.0 rpg. in three-game set … Played season-high 16 minutes against Charlotte, dropping in eight points … collected four points, career-high-tying two assists and two steals in BIG EAST opener against Villanova.

FRESHMAN SEASON (2008-09): Appeared in all 31 games, averaging 6.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game … led team and ranked ninth in BIG EAST (second among freshmen) in blocked shots (1.2 bpg.) … also ranked 10th in blocks during league play (1.3 bpg.) … grabbed team-high 70 offensive rebounds … made college debut in State Farm Tip-Off Classic at No. 24/22 LSU, chalking up six points in 11 minutes … turned in ‘point-a-minute’ performance in third collegiate game at Boston College, finishing with season-high 15 points (5-5 FG, 5-7 FT) in just 14 minutes … played 19 minutes vs. Georgia Southern, logging 12 points and five rebounds … tossed in 12 points in 19 minutes against No. 24 Michigan State … extended double-digit scoring streak to four games with 12 points at Eastern Michigan, adding nine rebounds and season-high four blocks … grabbed eight rebounds against No. 17/20 Purdue … collected five points, seven rebounds, three blocks and season-high three steals at Valparaiso; had layup, two blocks and key steal in final five minutes to help preserve win … picked up six points and five rebounds in win over Loyola-Chicago … played key role in win at No. 20/19 Vanderbilt with eight points (4-4 FG) and seven rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench; also blocked potential game-tying shot with 49 seconds left and came up with rebound, allowing Irish to come down and hit important insurance bucket … scored 13 points (5-6 FG) in season-high 24 minutes of BIG EAST debut at Seton Hall … corralled eight rebounds in 13 minutes at DePaul … chalked up seven points and two blocks against Georgetown … made major contributions down the stretch in win over St. John[apos]s, putting Irish ahead to stay on layup with 1:25 to play before adding two rebounds (one at each end) and an insurance free throw with 26 seconds left; finished with nine points and eight rebounds … pulled down season-high 10 rebounds and added five points at Villanova … piled up 14 points (season-best 6-11 FG) and eight rebounds at No. 22/24 Pittsburgh … collected six rebounds against No. 10/12 Louisville … came off bench to score 10 points in season-high-tying 24 minutes at South Florida … scored six points at No. 1 Connecticut … nabbed seven points and six rebounds in BIG EAST second-round win over St. John[apos]s.

HIGH SCHOOL: Averaged 12.0 ppg., 9.0 rpg. and 4.0 bpg. as a senior at Detroit Country Day School in Beverly Hills, Mich., playing for coach Frank Orlando … helped Yellowjackets to 25-1 record and 2008 Class B state title, in addition to state semifinal appearance in 2007 … not often seen by recruiting services because Michigan had fall basketball season prior to 2007-08 … ranked 18th in nation (fifth among power forwards) by Dan Olson Collegiate Girls Basketball Report … ranked 52nd in nation by Blue Star Basketball … ranked 68th in nation by All-Star Girls Report … ranked 70th in nation/four-star player (seventh among posts) by ESPN Hoopgurlz … two-time Street & Smith[apos]s preseason honorable mention All-America selection … 2008 Associated Press Class B Co-Player of the Year … runner-up for 2008 Michigan Miss Basketball … 2008 Detroit News Dream Team … four-time all-state selection (first team in 2006 and 2008) … four-time all-county selection … team was ranked regionally or nationally in USA Today Super 25 poll each of her three seasons … limited much of junior season while recovering from knee injury (torn ACL in February 2006) … as a sophomore in 2005-06, averaged 15.0 ppg., 12.0 rpg. and 5.0 bpg. for DCDS … won 2004 Class C state title as freshman at Saint Martin de Porres High School before school closed and she transferred to Detroit Country Day … played AAU ball for Motor City Suns, where she was coached by Willie Riley … also competed in high jump while at Detroit Country Day, setting school record (5 feet, 6 inches).

PERSONAL DATA: Born Nov. 10, 1989, in Charleston, W.Va. … youngest of three children … sister, Stephanie, played basketball at Saint Louis … brother, Christopher, played football at Northwood (Mich.) … daughter of Debbie Solomon … comes from same high school as NBA standouts Chris Webber and Shane Battier … pairs with freshman Ariel Braker to give Notre Dame 17 women[apos]s basketball players from the state of Michigan in program history (second only to Indiana[apos]s 19 players) … Solomon and Braker are among first Michigan natives to join Irish since Ann Arbor resident (and Huron High School graduate) Julie Henderson suited up from 1996-2000 … enrolled in College of Arts and Letters where she is a anthropology major … only the second player in program[apos]s history to wear No. 1, following in the footsteps of point guard Tulyah Gaines (2004-08).

CAREER HONORS:
2009: BIG EAST All-Freshman Team.

Solomon[apos]s Career Statistics

Solomon in the BIG EAST Conference