Off to its worst start in 21 years, the Virginia women's basketball team limps into the second half of the ACC schedule as it hosts Wake Forest Sunday at 2 p.m. at University Hall.
Since beginning conference play 3-0, the Cavs (13-8, 4-4 ACC) have lost four of their last five ACC games to slip into a tie for fourth place with Florida State, the team they lost to 60-58 Wednesday night in Tallahassee. Virginia, once ranked No. 16 in the nation, has fallen out of the Top 25.
The Cavaliers were out-rebounded 45-38 in the last-second loss to the Seminoles, a difference that partially can be attributed to the absence of senior forward Dean'na Mitchelson, who is out with a high ankle sprain. Mitchelson's left foot, now encased in a boot, will be re-evaluated in about 10 days, though it is not known when she will return to action.
The injury "affects us because it takes away a real strong power player," Virginia coach Debbie Ryan said.
Luckily for the Cavaliers, backup forward Anna Crosswhite seems to have recovered from her lower back problems. After logging only five minutes of playing time in the Cavs' loss to Duke Monday night, the redshirt freshman contributed two rebounds and an assist in 21 minutes of action against Florida State. More importantly, she provides the defensive intensity and dedication Virginia sometimes lacks.
"She's just beat up," Ryan said. "I think that what she needs is a little bit of rest."
The Cavaliers also were plagued Wednesday night by 37 percent shooting, including a horrid 8-for-30 in the first half. Sophomore star Schuye LaRue led the team with 16 points while sophomore forward Marcie Dickson was the only other player in double digits with 14.
Wake Forest comes to Charlottesville having won two of its last three games, including a 79-69 home victory over Florida State earlier this month.
Sophomore Eafton Hill leads the Deacon attack with a team-best 10.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Also contributing in the scoring column is senior Kristen Shaffer, whose 26 points against the Seminoles were the most a Deac has scored this season.
In its Dec. 9 game at Wake Forest, Virginia picked up a valuable 77-61 road win. Wake led by three at halftime before the Cavs pulled away in the second half.
"We played well against them for a half," Deacon coach Charlene Curtis said. "The second half, we were not able to come close to matching their intensity."
Curtis said her team needs to improve that intensity against the Cavaliers and in the future, with the ACC Tournament looming on the horizon.
"We have to learn to play at a high level every night," she said. "We're still working towards that"
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