Sometimes women's basketball - especially ACC women's basketball - can launch a happy, go-lucky student-athlete into the depths of depression and misery. After Virginia's heartbreaking overtime loss to North Carolina Monday, fourth-year guard Renee Robinson - the most emotional player on Debbie Ryan's mature squad - left Carmichael Auditorium fighting back tears. She probably wasn't the only one, considering the hurt the team suffered through after losing to its bitter rival.
But, other times, Conference games are fun. They can be an electrifying experience for the overworked, dedicated athletes, especially when they win in dominating fashion, as the Cavaliers did yesterday in their 74-59 thrashing of Florida State.
Yes, the Cavs came out of the locker room with their solemn game faces on, perhaps a little more stoic following the Carolina loss but those frowns turned - well, they disappeared - once Virginia stretched an early lead on the 'Noles into a 15-point advantage with four minutes left in the first half.
From then on, it was all smiles.
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"We started to have a little too much fun," said Hosac, one of five starters who scored in double figures. "It's hard to get over a loss like we had at Carolina, but this helps a little bit."
In routs, little-known reserves get their big shot in front of the home crowd. Yesterday Marcie Dickson and Lauren Swierczek, who had combined for all of eight minutes previously in Conference play, had their chance to impress the U-Hall crowd from on-court rather than as extra cheerleaders on the sideline and reveled in the opportunity. Another bench performer, soccer-star-turned-point-guard Katie Tracy, directed the Cavs for 11 minutes in the first half and played a big role in putting the game out of Florida State's reach.
For most of the ACC schedule, the Cavaliers have to fight and scrap for every point against the Dukes and N.C. States of the Conference. But, every once in a while, you have a game that makes you remember that basketball is about more than win-loss records, points-per-game averages and RPIs.
Every once in a while you can smile.
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