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Boyle, Cavaliers tweak rotation

With Lousiana Tech visiting Saturday, squad aims to maximize roster production

As the Virginia women’s basketball team prepares to host Louisiana Tech Saturday, it is quickly discovering the benefits of a deep rotation.

By the end of the first half of their 73-54 triumph against High Point, the Cavaliers (1-1) had already played all 12 players on their roster, with 10 getting on the scoreboard. Being able to play her entire bench so early in the season allows coach Joanne Boyle to experiment with various rotations before the season starts to heat up.

“Eventually you have to find what rotations are working and kind of put into a five, six through nine [player rotation],” Boyle said. “It’s nice to be able to look at different combinations early in the season.”

Virginia’s strong rotation allows individuals to shine while also building team chemistry.

“It helps us energy-wise because if you go hard when you’re out there, you have a sub coming back in,” sophomore guard Faith Randolph said. “It brings us together more when we’re all working together.”

Two games into the season, Boyle is already getting a sense of which rotations work and which ones need tinkering. After starting senior guard Ataira Franklin in a season-opening defeat to James Madison, Boyle slotted in fellow senior guard Lexie Gerson into Franklin’s starting spot for Monday’s victory.

“I didn’t like the rotation we had in the first game bringing Lexie off the bench because we got in foul trouble and she became a four for me,” Boyle said. “Starting her at that wing spot allows me to get her in her sweet spot defensively and then move her to the four if I need to.”

Still recovering from last spring’s knee surgery, Franklin’s time on the court has been limited. She came off the bench for the first time since her freshman year against High Point, and has amassed just 52 minutes of play in Virginia’s first two contests.

“She hasn’t been on the floor for us since last spring, so she hasn’t really been able to practice,” Boyle said. “She’s a worn soldier right now, that’s the whole reason we’re kind of tweaking the lineup a little bit … We’re trying to keep her in practice for about 30 to 45 minutes twice a week — and play games. I don’t want to jeopardize where she’s at with her knees.”

Randolph has compensated for the recovering Franklin with stellar offensive play. After averaging 5.0 points per game in 30 contests in 2012-13, she has contributed 37 points in just two games this year.

“I tried to take in all the things that I did last year and try to improve on that,” Randolph said. “I know my shooting percentages weren’t that great and I tried to improve on that and I think the time I had last year definitely helped prepare me for this year.”

In addition to coping with Franklin’s injury, the Cavaliers’ bench has allowed them to adjust to the NCAA rule changes. Along with a new 10-second backcourt violation, officials are emphasizing offensive freedom of movement by consistently cracking down on defensive contact.

“It is really tough because you’re wondering about the next play and ‘How are you going to play the person with the ball?’” junior forward Sarah Imovbioh said. “Sometimes it’s frustrating but we’ve just got to do our work really early and beat them to the spot and move our feet.”

After just two games, six Virginia players have accounted for 27 fouls.

“Thank goodness we have a bench this year,” Boyle said. “That’s all I have to say.”

Virginia will look to further iron out its lineup and any kinks in its defensive strategy against the Techsters (0-1) Saturday at 2 p.m. at John Paul Jones Arena.

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