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DECEMBER 2016 ◆ 23 "I think she embraces that role," head coach Joanne Boyle said. "I think Brey is wired to fill that role. I think she does a great job of talking to a teammate one on one and taking somebody to lunch or taking some- body to the locker room. She can share a lot after being here for four years so she has a great rapport with her teammates and enjoys doing it one on one. "I think her teammates respect her and value her opinion. When she speaks she has a lot to say and that speaks volumes about the respect they have for her. Brey puts the team first and often takes a back seat to her own potential accolades. That says a lot about how she wants this team to thrive and do well." As far as Mason is concerned, serving as a mentor is as easy as dribbling down the lane unguarded and banking in a layup. "That's definitely the case because of the knowledge I've had," Mason said. "It's some- thing that happened naturally in terms of tak- ing on a mentorship role with the players. I try to do that, whether it's on or off the court. I have great relationships with the underclass- men [of which there are 11]. "Being that leader … being that mentor to them comes easy to me. Because of our relationships I find it's easy for them to come to me and ask questions." Mason's personality and the fact she doesn't talk just to hear her own voice is another reason why she could play a key role this season for Virginia. "I think she's like any young person in that they grow," Boyle said. "The most impres- sionable years are between 17 and 22. Brey is a very engaging, likeable, personable and a very articulate lady. She is more on the quiet side and not front and center. She has more of a quiet demeanor. "She has grown over the four years she's been here, especially being the only fourth- year. Because she has the most experience, the most knowledge and wisdom on the team, she can share — she's more comfort- able doing that. She has had the experience to be able to speak in front of her teammates about what she wants for the team this year." That is the area in particular where Mason has seen the biggest change in herself. "I think as a player my leadership ability has grown — just using my voice and leading by example and also being more confident in myself and being more aggressive," she said. "It's something I'm going to need. "As a player, realizing everything is two- sided and what may seem like a bad thing at one time may help me in the long run and later on in my life." The fact Mason is a two-time ACC All- Academic selection makes her even more valuable to the Cavaliers. "I think Brey has a great basketball IQ and understands the game," Boyle said. "I think she has a maturity about her since she stepped on campus. That's a testament to her parents and how she was raised. Her actions speak for themselves. She's not the most vo- cal person but she leads by example. "When a player like Brey sets that ex- ample, it's easier for me because she handles things well." Boyle didn't mince words when discussing how much Mason will be expected to handle this season. "I think Brey is capable of handling a lot this year," Boyle said. "From the start of the preseason you can see her step into her role as a captain. Others aren't capable of it because they haven't had that level of experi- ence. She can handle pressure situations that others haven't been a part of. "She can direct the team from the point guard position. That's what you want from a senior. You want them to take on more responsibility. Brey has been more in the forefront. She's really ready to be an exten- sion of the coaches on the floor." Mason also expects a lot from herself, es- pecially since this is her final season. "Being a fourth-year, I definitely have high expectations for myself," she said. "I have more experience. Just knowing that we have the personnel and more athleticism will make my job easier in terms of what I want to achieve this year from a team standpoint." Mason missed most of the preseason as a first-year because of an injury but ended up starting the last 14 games. That she became a starter wasn't an accident. "It goes back to her determination," Boyle said. "She wants to be the best teammate, the best daughter, the best friend and the best captain. She doesn't cut corners. Her fighting through that setback helped her develop a great work ethic and willingness to do any- thing I ask of her, which sets her up for suc- cess and an ability to run the team this year. "I asked her, 'What are you looking for- ward to?' She said, 'I want to leave here with no regrets.'" Mason may not want to have any regrets, but she does have one goal. "The only goal I have for myself and the team is to make the NCAAs, which has eluded us since I've been here," she said. "If we're successful, any personal accolades I might achieve will come when our team has success." ◆ DOING IT ALL Breyana Mason Will Score, Rebound, Assist and Lead For The Cavs "I think her teammates respect her and value her opinion ... Brey puts the team first and often takes a back seat to her own potential accolades. That says a lot about how she wants this team to thrive and do well." HEAD COACH JOANNE BOYLE ON MASON Mason averaged 10.0 points and 3.8 re- bounds per game overall last year, but increased those stats to 12.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in ACC play. PHOTO COURTESY UVA BY MIKE SCANDURA A S THE LONE FOURTH-YEAR ON VIRGINIA'S women's basketball team, Breyana Mason finds herself in a unique role. In addition to scoring points (she aver- aged 10.0 last season) and dishing off assists (78 a year ago, which was second on the team), she'll serve as a mentor for a very young Cavalier team.