Something changes when she steps on the court. Whether she's putting back rebounds for a score, muscling her way under the basket or directing her teammates in a huddle, Dean'na Mitchelson is a commanding but calming presence for the Virginia women's basketball team.
The 6-foot-2 senior captain has earned a starting position for 12 of the Cavaliers' games this year. She was bumped out of the starting lineup last year when she separated her right shoulder in the opening minutes of the season opener and then-freshman Schuye LaRue scooted onto the court in front of her.
But this season, Mitchelson reclaimed the starting position after forward Lisa Hosac graduated. Virginia (13-10, 7-6 ACC) is 9-4 with Mitchelson in the starting lineup.
Going into Sunday's game against North Carolina, Mitchelson was averaging 4.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 16.9 minutes per game, which only begins to explain the effect she has on the Virginia squad.
"She usually plays good defense, good rebounding, good hustle and lots of energy," Virginia coach Debbie Ryan said. "That's what we rely on her for. That's something she has to bring every night."
As a team leader, "I think talk is cheap," Mitchelson said. "It just has to get done."
Her size and composure give Mitchelson an advantage under the basket and she is a solid defender. She has 258 career rebounds and has led the team in steals twice.
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In the 1999-2000 season, Mitchelson matched or recorded career-highs in every statistical category. When she started in place of LaRue against Arkansas State, she scored a career-high 12 points and grabbed six rebounds. Mitchelson surpassed that mark this season with 14 points against Virginia Tech on Nov. 30.
But this season, according to Mitchelson, has been a "really, really big roller coaster."
After spraining her left ankle against Duke on Jan. 22, Mitchelson was forced to sit out the next two games. Without her, the Cavaliers lost to Florida State for the first time in school history Jan. 24 and barely eked out a double-overtime victory against Wake Forest on Jan. 28.
Listed as a Bakersfield, Calif. native, Mitchelson actually was born in Charlottesville, and lived in Nelson County, Va., until seventh grade. She then moved to California but eventually returned to Charlottesville, her extended family and "the sense of security" she felt in the area.
"I came back because of family, academics and athletics," Mitchelson said.
Mitchelson has the same post-graduation questions as the next fourth year. She is majoring in anthropology, with a minor in sociology, and is toying with the idea of graduate school.
She claims she has not given much thought to playing pro basketball, but if nothing else, she has a career to be proud of at Virginia.
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