[caption id="attachment_48325" align="alignleft" width="228" caption="Sophomore guard Ataira Franklin ranks third on the team with 18 points through the first two games this season.
The Virginia women's basketball team took an early lead and never looked back last night, defeating Providence, 55-38, to improve to 2-0 on the season. The Cavaliers jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead and for the second straight game went wire-to-wire without trailing. After the Lady Friars (0-2) drew within one at 5-4, a balanced Cavalier offense reeled off eight straight points as part of a 12-2 run during which five different players scored.
[caption id="attachment_48182" align="alignleft" width="174" caption="Senior forward Chelsea Shine ensured new coach Joanne Boyle's Virginia debut was a victorious one as she finished with 15 points and eight rebounds Friday.
The Virginia women's basketball team opens its season at home tonight against Appalachian State in a game which will offer both a snapshot of where it is and a glimpse of what it wants to become. Many pundits have labeled 2011-12 a "transition" or "rebuilding" year for the Cavaliers as coach Joanne Boyle replaces the legendary Debbie Ryan, who led the program for the past 34 years. Although it will take time for a new coaching staff to install its system, Boyle plans to "tweak" her game plan to cater to Virginia's experienced core. The team returns its top four scorers from last season in senior guard Ariana Moorer, sophomore forward Ataira Franklin, senior forward Chelsea Shine and junior guard China Crosby, who alongside leading rebounder junior center Simone Egwu, form a balanced and veteran Cavalier starting lineup. The team's potential is apparent, but so are its shortcomings as it seems to lack a true go-to scorer and depth off the bench.
[caption id="attachment_47968" align="alignleft" width="175" caption="New coach Joanne Boyle spent six successful years revamping California's program and was named the Pac 10's Coach of the Year in 2007.
Virginia women's basketball freshman forward Sarah Imovbioh has been deemed ineligible to practice or play for the Cavaliers for the upcoming 2011-12 campaign by the NCAA.
[caption id="attachment_43157" align="alignleft" width="269" caption="During her six seasons at the helm of the Golden Bears, coach Joanne Boyle led her team to 137 victories, four NCAA Tournament bids and the 2010 WNIT title.
[caption id="attachment_42375" align="alignleft" width="174" caption="Debbie Ryan concluded her illustrious 34-year career as the Virginia women's basketball coach Saturday before nearly 2,000 fans at John Paul Jones Arena.
[caption id="attachment_42308" align="alignleft" width="151" caption="Junior guard Ariana Moorer was the only Cavalier to tally double-digit points against Boston College, but her 15 points on 4-for-9 shooting from the field were enough to secure a third-round WNIT win against the Eagles.
Coach Debbie Ryan and the Virginia women's basketball team earned a spot in the WNIT round of 16 Sunday after defeating Loyola 71-49 in Baltimore, Md. Four Cavaliers (18-5) registered double-digit performances to propel the team to its second-straight triumph.
[caption id="attachment_42573" align="alignleft" width="175" caption="Redshirt-Senior guard Paulisha Kellum scored 6-points in what was potentially her last game at John Paul Jones Arena.
[caption id="attachment_41747" align="alignleft" width="236" caption="Coach Debbie Ryan led Virginia to 736 victories.
After posting a 5-9 record in conference play this season, the Virginia women's basketball team begins its quest for an ACC crown this afternoon as the No.
[caption id="attachment_41281" align="alignleft" width="169" caption="Senior Jayna Hartig played in her last regular season home game Thursday night against Duke.
The Virginia women's basketball team is looking to bounce back from a 73-50 loss against Boston College last Sunday as it hosts No.
[caption id="attachment_40912" align="alignleft" width="158" caption="Despite freshman guard Ataira Franklin's 10 points in 32 minutes, Virginia's two-game winning streak came to a screeching halt against Boston College.
[caption id="attachment_40448" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Junior guard Whitny Edwards scored 13 points in 20 minutes off the bench, including two key free throws with 11.2 seconds left, to help Virginia top No.
The Virginia women's basketball team hopes to rebound from Monday night's tough 78-74 home loss against then-No.
[caption id="attachment_40210" align="alignleft" width="244" caption="Sophomore guard Lexie Gerson has scored in double figures in six games this season, including 19 points against Radford.
[caption id="attachment_40134" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Sophomore point guard China Crosby shot 50 percent from the field and went 2-for-3 from behind the arc yesterday, totaling a career-high 14 points.
