Taria Blanchard is back for her junior season after a solid sophomore effort where she contributed quality minutes…averaged 2.5 ppg, playing in 27 games…She scored a season-high 7 points in Urbana’s season opener vs. Huntington, Ind. (11/08/03)…She had a season-high 3 steals against Siena Heights (11/18/03) and Heidelberg College (11/25/03)…She had a season-high 4 rebounds and 5 assists against Mount Vernon Nazarene… Taria played on the JV squad her freshman season.

HIGH SCHOOL: Blanchard was named MVP of her team her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons at Jesup W. Scott High School for Coach Genia Watson... She was All-Toledo City League Honorable Mention her sophomore and junior seasons...Her junior season Blanchard was named 2nd Team All-City, 2nd Team All-District, plus she was named a City League Scholar Athlete... She was the 3rd leading scorer in the City League, averaging 21.3 ppg, 6 assists and 4 rebounds per game her junior year...She averaged 14 ppg her senior year, only playing in seven games due to an injury…she was a four-year varsity letter winner and team captain all four years…Blanchard was named to the Who’s Who Among High School Athletes.

PERSONAL: Taria is the daughter of Herbert Jr. and Vernice Blanchard of Toledo, Ohio... She is a Middle Childhood Education major at Urbana University... She was born January 17, 1984.