COLLEGE PARK, Md.-The only thing bigger than the smiles on Virginia women's basketball players' faces as they ran onto the court last night were the smiles they wore as they walked off.
Led by senior forward Svetlana Volnaya's game-high of 27 points, the Cavaliers stormed to a 69-56 victory over Maryland at Cole Field House. Virginia's win ended the Terrapins' five-game ACC win streak. It was only Maryland's second home loss this season.
After a tired loss to N.C. State last week, the Cavaliers looked positively rejuvenated and pulled together against the Terps' tough defense. Virginia finished the game shooting better than 50 percent from the floor and better than 55 percent from behind the arc.
Earlier this week, the Cavaliers watched a highlight tape from the last meeting between the two teams - an 82-41 Virginia rout on Jan. 5 - to get themselves back into a winning frame of mind.
"I just think we were tired of losing," Virginia coach Debbie Ryan said. "They know they're a good team, they know they are great players, they just decided it was time to turn things around."
Sophomore forward Schuye LaRue had only five turnovers (compared to 12 at N.C. State) and posted 14 points. The Washington, D.C., native had plenty of friends and relatives on hand to watch her grab 14 rebounds and dish out five assists.
LaRue is "a very good passer," Ryan said. "I thought the best thing she did tonight was find her teammates."
There was no better target for LaRue's passes than Volnaya. After struggling since the last Maryland game, Volnaya sunk six three-pointers and played strong defense. More than once, she slapped the floor, a Virginia ritual that she said was designed to get the team pumped up for a defensive stop.
"That's the best I've ever seen Volnaya play," Maryland coach Chris Weller said. "She is the difference in that team when she steps up."
From Maryland's side, the story of the game was simply missed shots. The Terps shot only 38 percent from the floor, despite many easy layup opportunities.
Virginia's "shots were a lot harder, but they made them," Weller said.
"There's no explanation," Maryland forward Deedee Warley said. "We just should have hit them."
Warley had 25 points and 13 rebounds for her seventh double-double of the season, but her team's leading scorer, junior Marche Strickland, was virtually shut down by the Cavaliers. After scoring 27 points at Clemson last Thursday, Strickland was held to only six points and turned the ball over twice.
Although LaRue and junior guard Telisha Quarles were forced to the sideline with four fouls apiece late in the second half, Ryan said the Cavaliers used the clock and their lead to hang on for the win.
Despite her foul troubles, Quarles made her presence felt with 12 points and four assists. Freshman guard Anna Prillaman added six points and four assists.
Senior guard Katie Tracy had a strong 20 minutes as the play-caller for the Cavaliers and provided the leadership the team had missed in its past few games.
But the real key, according to Volnaya, was coming together.
"It's all because we were playing as a team," she said.
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