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whether UVa reaches its goals. "Rebounding just has to be something we do better, and that in itself will help with the goal of making the NCAA Tournament," Boyle said. "The other thing is winning the last five minutes. We were in so many close games, but you have to win those games to understand how to do it." After pulling out the overtime victory versus Tennessee early in the season, Virginia suffered single-digit losses to Boyle's talented players returning. Fourth-year guard China Crosby, who has looked phe- nomenal at times when healthy during her UVa career, is return- ing from a knee injury. The 5-6 guard from New York was aver- aging 7.9 points and 2.3 assists per contest last year when she went down after 12 games. Crosby, a former McDonald's All-American in high school, has missed large chunks of two seasons at Virginia now after averaged 12.4 points per game last year and also proved to be a solid rebounding guard, pull- ing down 4.0 boards per game, something Boyle will count on with a young frontcourt. But the Cavaliers haven't been without challenges in the pre- season. Crosby, who is the only true point guard on the roster, saw her return met with losses of guard Lexie Gerson and forward Erinn Thompson to injury. Gerson's loss is a particularly "What we went through last year hopefully helps us create a different situation this year when we get into those close games. We have players that have been there and hopefully old team, Cal, North Carolina, Maryland and Miami. That list included a heartbreaking double- overtime loss to the Tar Heels that likely would have provided the résumé boost needed to get the Hoos into the tournament. "What we went through last year hopefully helps us create a different situation this year when we get into those close games," Boyle said. "We have players that have been there and hope- fully will know how to close it out and finish a great game." Despite the departures of Shine and guard Arianna Moorer, who were in many ways the foundation of Boyle's first UVa team, the Cavaliers have several serious knee injuries, but Boyle said she's looking good in the preseason and gives the Cava- liers quickness on the perimeter and figures to be a key cog in the UVa offense, as well as a spark plug on defense. "Obviously, China is coming off of her ACL, so she seems good," Boyle said. "Right now we are really just trying to man- age the amount of the time she is on the floor, but she looks good. I feel like in general all the players are better a year later." Joining Crosby in the back- court is third-year Ataira Frank- lin, who had a breakout season last year and made the All-ACC honorable mention list. Franklin will know how to close it out and finish a great game." HEAD COACH JOANNE BOYLE tough blow for Boyle, who wants to see the Cavaliers develop into the ACC's best defensive team. Last year, Gerson led Virginia in steals with 113 and made the All- ACC Defensive squad while also averaging 9.5 points per game. Helping fill in for Gerson will be highly touted first-year Faith Randolph, who also has skills on both ends of the court. "She's just complete," Boyle told The Daily Progress. "She's on both ends of the floor. She plays hard. She plays focused. She's a gym rat. If she could be in the gym 10 hours a day, she'd be in the gym 10 hours a day. "She's very offensive-minded, but unselfish at the same time.