Cavalier Corner

December 2014

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ers that started double-digit games plus ACC Sixth Player of the Year Faith Randolph, who is a third- year. Second-year guard Breyana Mason posted 14 starts last season and fourth-year forward Sarah Imovbioh and second-year forward Sydney Umeri tallied 30 and 11, respectively. Along with the veterans, Boyle has several rising second-years ready to step up and make contributions, and newcomers to the program are definitely coming in with the expectation they'll be immediate impact players. The final reason those close to the program are excited about the upcoming year is the move by Boyle to the "Pack-Line" defense. "I watched coach Tony Bennett's team last year and how good they were with the defense," Boyle said. "I've always been a man-to-man coach and I love the principals of the pack. We went away from the man concepts when I got here because of the personnel we had. "But I really wanted to get back to man, and as I watched Tony's team, saw what they did and started studying it, I just decided in the spring, based on our personnel, that it could be good for us." Bennett, the Virginia men's assistant coaches and even Tony's dad, Dick Bennett, collaborated with Boyle on learning and implementing the defense. Randolph sees the defense as a way to take advantage of the athleticism and quickness of the team. "We have a lot of speed on our team, a lot of great footwork, and we can pressure offenses," she noted. "And those are great advantages for us in the Pack-Line." One of the elements Boyle likes most about the Pack-Line is the team concept intermingled with man-to-man principals. Imovbioh said she likes "the player account- ability of the pack" which the man-to-man aspects of the defense requires. So does her coach. "You're not switching guard to guard and post to post; your man is your man," Boyle added. "With a young team, we need to establish a good foundation, and accountability is going to be huge." The health of the team has been a major factor in getting Virginia back to its wining ways as well, according to Randolph. "This year everyone is able to practice and that's a huge benefit for us," the third-year guard said. "We get to have more experience with each other and build chemistry compared to last year. Practices are better and have a competitive edge. That will make us better." That's not something Boyle's teams have been able to do the last two seasons, and she said it impacts everything from competitiveness to com- munication. "If the first time you're communicating with QUICK FACTS Head Coach: Joanne Boyle, 55-42 at UVa (4th year); 284-146 career (13th year) 2013-14 In Review: 14-17, 6-10 ACC (10th) Starters Returning/Lost: 2/3 Lettermen Returning/Lost: 7/5 Key Additions: G Mikayla Venson, F Jae'Lisa Allen, F Lauren Moses and G Aliyah Huland El Key Losses: G Ataira Franklin (13.8 ppg. and 4.4 rpg.), G Kelsey Wolfe (10.6 ppg. and 2.8 apg.) and G Lexie Gerson (8.2 ppg. and 4.9 rpg.) RETURNING LEADERS Points: Sarah Imovbioh (12.3 per game) Rebounds: Imovbioh (8.2 per game) Assists: Faith Randolph (1.4 per game) Steals: Randolph (1.4 per game) Blocks: Imovbioh and Sydney Umeri (0.1 per game) FG Pct.: Imovbioh (.554) 3FG Pct.: Breyana Mason (.474) FT Pct.: Mason (.773)

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