The curtain opens on an entirely new stage for the Lee women's basketball team on Monday night when it challenges Azusa Pacific (Calif.) in the semi-final round of the NAIA National Championship.

Union University, Oklahoma City and Azusa all know their roles. However, it will be an audition for the Lady Flames. They are making their first appearance in the final four (NAIA style). Oklahoma City has placed 10 teams (six straight) in the venue and won five national titles. Union has made 11 appearances and captured four titles.

Azusa (28-6) has been on this stage once before (1981).

Lee's coach Marty Rowe knows this special feeling. He took a Brescia team to the championship round (2004)before taking the Lady Flames position. "I haven't even talked to our girls about that," said Rowe on Sunday. "We got up, went to church, attended a press conference and then went for a shoot-around in Oman Arena. That's the first time we've actually spent time shooting since the tournament started."

Rowe said he told his staff not to worry about basketball. In fact, they attended a movie on Sunday evening before returning to the hotel for a brief film review of Azusa.

"We will have all day Monday to think about the game," said the veteran coach. "I see it as a good draw, an even match for our team. We are excited to have this opportunity and our expectations for this team (31-5) has been high since the beginning of the season in November."

For the first time in several years, the semi-final round is represented by four different conferences. The Lee coach sees that as the makings of an even more exciting Monday. "There is no heavy favorite like there has been in years past," he pointed out. "Oklahoma City and Union are also evenly matched. The final NAIA poll had Union No. 1, Oklahoma City 6th, Azusa 7th and our team 9th."

The coach confessed that there isn't a team that he has played this year comparable to Azusa. "They are really strong inside and will play an inside-out game," he stressed. "They are very quick at the guards, but our girls are playing so hard and with such passion. I believe they know what it's going to take to win."

The inside defensive assignment for Katie Nelson, Kayla Carlisle and Kayce Addison will be trying to stop the Lady Cougars' Alex Moore-Porter. She scored 28 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in Azusa's 73-69 upset win over St. Xavier (Ill.) Briana Hall had 17 in the win, while Kristie Hala'Ufia will have to be reckoned with. She tallied 13 points and also pulled down 10 boards.

Azusa coach T.J. Hardeman is in his third season at Azusa. Like the Lady Flames (SSAC), the Lady Cougars were upset by Hope International in Golden State Athletic Conference tournament play. Lee and Azusa drew at-large bids to the 32-team national tournament.

"It's a privilege to have a team here," said Hardeman who turned the Hope International program around before accepting the Azusa challenge. "Lee has a great team. They beat a tremendous basketball team (Vanguard) to get in this position. They have a lot of different players who can shoot the basketball."

On the other hand, Rowe will be hoping for another shining performance from senior guard Allison Rader. In the past two games, the never-say-die Rader has scored 15 and 25 points. Addison has also stepped up her game but Rowe says the entire team is full of confidence and ready for another new challenge.

Union and Oklahoma City will open Monday night's card at 7 p.m. (EDT). The Lady Flames and Lady Cougars will tangle in the nightcap at 9 p.m. (EDT). The contest will be aired on 104.1 FM and Stretch Internet. For more information about the tournament and to view live video of the contest, go to NAIA.org