Cavalier Corner

December 2016

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"We've haven't done much to deserve much better," she said. "As competitive as we are, we don't like to settle for the seed we're given. That is motivation, that is that fire, that passion that's forcing us to win every play, to fight together and to compete in practice." Moses adds that there is a sense of ur- gency, and the team is pushing so they can handle opponents at game time. "Every year since I've been here we ap- proached the year that we were going to be a running team, but this year I think we've bought into that," Moses said. "This off- season, we worked on running the floor, and everyone runs the floor. Guards run the backside of the floor, posts run straight to the block — we're trying to run and get a look, and if we don't have anything then reset. "We're keeping it simple. There's free- dom on the offensive end, and we're just trying to get to the rim." But it's not just about running the floor. Huland El adds it also about executing. "Execution is among one of the most im- portant things we stress in practice and dur- ing the game," she said. "The rule is if you don't execute, you don't play. We've upped the ante and upped the level of aggression." And after the first two games, that ap- proach seem to be clicking. After the win over Middle Tennessee State — which was picked to finish second in Con- ference USA's preseason poll — the Cavaliers routed Coppin State 103-40 Nov. 13. Aiyeotan led the game with a career-high 23 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Her six blocked shots were the most for a UVA player since Jocelyn Logan-Friend recorded five in 2005. Willoughby also had another big night, scor- ing 21 points. Through two games, she was UVA's leading scorer at 17.0 points per game. After the win over Coppin State, Boyle said, "It's a coach's dream when you get to sit down for most of the game and not have to stand up. I felt like I just got to relax and enjoy it a little bit." And Huland El thinks the two wins will give some confidence to a team that may have what it takes to make a trip back to the NCAA and compete at a higher level. ◆ Felicia Aiyeotan, a 6-9 first-year center from Nigeria, averaged 13.5 points, 7.0 re- bounds and 5.0 blocks in just 15.5 minutes per game in her first two appearances for UVA. PHOTO BY MATT RILEY/COURTESY UVA

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