In a season of infrequent highs and emotional lows, the Virginia women's basketball team will face Hampton in a non-conference matchup at 7:30 tonight in University Hall.
The Cavalier women (16-11) are coming off a tough 78-71 loss at Clemson on Thursday. Despite sophomore forward Schuye LaRue's 19 points and 13 rebounds, accompanied by senior Svetlana Volnaya's strong first-half shooting, Virginia was unable to pull ahead of the Tigers.
The Clemson loss is bitter especially considering the inconsistency Virginia has struggled with all season. After a demoralizing loss (against Georgia Tech on Feb. 8) that coach Debbie Ryan blasted as "awful" and "ridiculous," Ryan's squad appeared to have healed from the inside, beating North Carolina, 76-73, on Feb. 11.
But, as senior forward Dean'na Mitchelson put it, Virginia's season has been a roller coaster. The Cavaliers will hope to pick up speed against the Pirates tonight.
Hampton (10-13) will have its work cut out for them.
Leading Pirate scorer LaShondra Dickson averages 13.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. But by comparison, LaRue averages 17.9 points and 11 rebounds and is Virginia's strongest inside threat at 6-foot-3.
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