Demonstrating the talent and depth of the squad, the Virginia women's basktball team, with four benched players, defeated the Hungarian Zala Volan-ZTE 63-48 in last night's exhibition game at U-Hall.
The Cavaliers, ranked No. 3 in ACC preseason polls, will play the Melbourne Tigers of Australia on Thursday before they kick off their regular season at Old Dominion on Nov. 22.
After a slow start last night, Virginia pulled ahead in the 10th minute of the first half and never looked back. Although much of the second half was characterized by sloppy play from both sides of the court, the Cavaliers maintained a comfortable margin over Zala Volan, leading by as much as 23.
"I was very pleased," Virginia coach Debbie Ryan said. "It was a good start for a young team playing without some key players."
The four Cavaliers ineligible to play were sophomore guard/forward LaTonya Blue, junior forward Marcie Dickson, sophomore guard Cherrise Graham and sophomore center/forward Brandi Teamer, who was chosen as part of the All-ACC preseason team. These four sat out because of violations of team rules that occurred last year and this year, Ryan said
"It's disappointing whenever a player misses a game," Ryan said. "But I have plenty of great players."
Junior guard Anna Prillaman, one of the few regular starters available, scored 11 points in 34 minutes, but the real surprise came from Virginia's younger players. Freshman forward Tiffany Sardin scored 10 points and posted eight rebounds in her first game as a Cavalier.
"I was really nervous," Sardin said. "But once I got in the game it started to rub off. My teammates were there to support me."
Sophomore center Lynette O'Reggio posted team highs in total points and rebounds, with 12 and 11, respectively. O'Reggio, at 6-foot-4, is a dominating presence on the court, and seems to have rounded out her game, even scoring from outside the arc.
"I've been trying to extend my game, and move outside the post," O'Reggio said. "I know the ropes now, I'm feeling more comfortable, more confident."
At first the team seemed rather disoriented and uncomfortable with each other, but they came together about midway into the first half in what became a 20-0 Virginia run. The Cavaliers' two returning seniors, guards Liz Sahin and Karen Jaeger, provided the young team with experience, leadership and confidence. They handled the ball well, with a combined seven steals and six assists, and energized a somewhat sluggish squad.
"Liz raised the level of our offensive play," Ryan said. "She did a good job of sparking us when she came off the bench."
The Cavaliers capitalized on the Hungarian's overly physical play, drawing 28 fouls, and scoring 12 of their points from the free-throw line.
Cavalier fans can take heart -- if the women's basketball squad missing four key players can defeat a semi-professional international team, they can expect to be a force to be reckoned with this season.
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