Cavalier Corner

December 2012

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Dance. (UVa went on to win three games in the WNIT before falling to James Madison in the quarterfinals.) This time around, the Cava- liers want to leave no doubt and put together a season so good there's no way a committee can leave them out of the NCAA Tourna- ment. "It's part of who we want to be as a team," Boyle said in the midst of preparing for her second season in Charlottesville. "Last year is something we address. We want our identity to be that of a team that goes to the tour- nament every year, and last year we fell short. "We thought we did Wahoos lost seven games to North Carolina, Miami, Duke and Maryland by an average of just eight points, including an overtime loss to the Tar Heels. But the Cavs have added play- squad some added height after sitting out last season. Boyle also expects greater QUICK FACTS Head Coach: Joanne Boyle, 25-11 at UVa (2nd year); 229-104 career (11th year) 2011-12 In Review: 25-11, 9-7 ACC (T-5th) Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2 Lettermen Returning/Lost: 7/3 Key Additions: F Sarah Beth Barnette, G Raeshaun Gaffney, G Jaryn Garner, F Sarah Imovbioh, G Faith Randolph Key Losses: G Ariana Moorer (14.4 ppg., 5.4 rpg. and 3.6 apg.), F Chelsea Shine (7.6 ppg. and 5.6 rpg.) enough to get there, but obviously the commit- tee did not. I thought we were probably the first team out, and that just has to make you hungrier. You have to look at your season and what didn't we do last year to get there and not let those things happen. One thing we have to do is be a better rebounding team because I thought we lost games last year because of rebounding the ball. That wasn't our strength last year, and it has to be a strength of ours this year." The majority of the Cavaliers' losses in 2011-12 came to highly ranked ACC opponents — the RETURNING LEADERS Points: Ataira Franklin (12.4 per game) Rebounds: Simone Egwu (4.3 per game) Assists: Lexie Gerson (2.6 per game) Steals: Gerson (3.1 per game) Blocks: Franklin (0.7 per game) FG Pct.: Jazmin Pitts (.459) 3FG Pct.: China Crosby (.341) FT Pct.: Crosby (.900) ers to the roster that Boyle thinks might help their rebounding and make a difference in those close games. Second-year Sarah Imovbioh, a 6-2 post player who was ruled ineligible to compete by the NCAA and sat out last year, was one of the best prep players in the country at St. Anne's-Belfield and is considered a dynamic rebounder. Redshirt second-year Sarah Beth Bar- nette, a transfer from Kentucky, also stands 6-2 and gives Boyle's rebounding production out of some returning players, such as fourth-year center Simone Egwu, who returns after averaging 4.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game last season. Egwu started 34 games a year ago and played 22.3 minutes per contest, but she will be asked to take on an even bigger role under the bas- ket after the graduation of Chelsea Shine. Egwu, a 6-3 Maryland product who was highly recruited coming out of Arundel High School four years ago, has shown flashes of being an out- standing contributor, such as last year against Clem- son when she had a dou- ble-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. "I think last year, adjusting to a new system, getting to know each other as players and coaches under a new system, sometimes you have a tendency to waver," Egwu said. "This year, we have all adjusted. We are helping the first-years adjust. We are much more goal-minded and really fo- cused. I am really looking for- ward to how that is going to look on the court." A consistent effort in the paint figures to be a main factor in

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