Just a day after the recruiting windfall which marked the next generation for the women's basketball team, the old guard got a boost of its own.

Jackie Donovan and Helen Holloway, the Lady Lions' only seniors, were named co-captains yesterday by Coach Rene Portland.

"There was no surpise," Portland said of the announcement. "They have both been contributing since the day they walked on this campus. They've shown a lot of leadership. I've not seen a practice where they haven't motivated the players and been at 100 percent."

The decision to tab Donovan and Holloway as the team's pacesetters should come as no surprise to either of the three-time letterwinners. If nothing else, their experience and their numbers make them obvious choices.

Donovan, a 5-foot-10 off-guard, has been the model of consistency for the Lady Lions. She averaged 7.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 24.3 minutes a game last season, while finishing second on the squad with 49 steals. The Stratford, N.J., native figures to spearhead the Lady Lions' guard-oriented offense this season.

Holloway, a 6-foot forward, should be the key post player for the Lady Lions, picking up right where she left off last year. The Norfolk, Va., native averaged 12.4 points and 7.1 boards per contest in 1992-93, tops on the team in the latter catagory. Holloway also shattered the preconceptions of the typical post player by leading the squad in both three-pointers made and free-throw percentage.

"Being that I am a senior, I knew I'd have to lead by example," Holloway said, adding that she and Donovan, who happen to be roommates, should have a good working relationship. "Me and Jackie get along real well. We read each other well on the court."