Cavalier Corner

December 2015 Issue

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"We added some length to the team," Boyle said. "Last year we were a little bit young, we lacked size in the post and we were inconsistent. We're a year older in the system defensively, and we have more depth this year. We can be a good defensive team." The addition of three first-year post play- ers — 6-3 Moné Jones, 6-4 Shakyna Payne and 6-4 Debra Ferguson — is a huge for the Cavaliers, es- pecially due to the loss of forward Sarah Imovbioh. L a s t s e a s o n , I m ov b i o h pulled in 30 percent of the Wahoos' rebounds, but opted to use her fifth- year of eligibility at South Carolina. "In losing Sarah, the re- bounding is our issue," Boyle noted. "We can put points on the board, we have a ton of scorers in the pro- gram. Rebounding is going to be a collective effort for us right now. It's not going to be one person's job, it's not just our post's job. "I think we've addressed some size issues which re- ally hurt us last year," Boyle added. "Before if we got beat off the dribble we had a six-foot post player behind that and now we have 6-3, 6-4 behind us." Ferguson is a traditional blue-collar post player that is not afraid of banging down low and doing the dirty work in the lane. "Debra is strong and will anchor our defense in the paint," Boyle said. "She has great hands and footwork for a true center and also has the ability to step out and shoot the three- ball. Debra is a great shot blocker and is extremely mobile for her position." Payne and Jones can op- erate in the paint as well as pop out for a 15-footer and extend the defense. The left- handed Jones was very im- pressive in preseason prac- tice and is expected to see plenty of playing time early. "She's versatile, she's long, and she's lanky," Boyle said. "She comes in with a work ethic, she picks things up and she can move from drill to drill comfort- BY GREG WATERS I N HER FOURTH SEASON AT THE HELM OF THE VIRGINIA wom- en's basketball program, head coach Joanne Boyle may finally have the pieces in place to have a very special season. Her 2015-16 Cavaliers are picked to finish in the middle of the pack of the talented Atlantic Coast Conference (eighth out of 15 teams), but with a much bigger frontcourt, experience and depth, and a workmanlike team chemistry, this year's squad may surprise the experts. QUICK FACTS Head Coach: Joanne Boyle, 72-56 at UVA (5th year); 276-149 career (14th year) 2014-15 In Review: 17-14, 7-9 ACC (9th) Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1 Lettermen Returning/Lost: 7/3 Key Additions: G J'Kyra Brown, F Emily Battle, F Debra Ferguson, F Moné Jones, F Shakyna Payne Key Loss: F Sarah Imovbioh (12.6 points and 10.8 rebounds per game) Returning Leaders Points: Faith Randolph (16.4 per game) Rebounds: Lauren Moses (5.4 per game) Assists: Breyana Mason (3.6 per game) Steals: Randolph (1.4 per game) Blocks: Moses (1.1 per game) FG Pct.: Sydney Umeri (46.7) 3FG Pct.: Mason (43.5) FT Pct.: Randolph (90.7)

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