The Virginia women's basketball team entered this week with aspirations of cementing their place in the ACC.
Unfortunately, after four straight losses, that place may be in the cellar.
The Seminoles added to the Cavalier misery Sunday afternoon as Florida State handed Virginia a demoralizing 63-47 loss to move the Cavaliers to 12-9, 2-5 in the ACC.
The game followed a familiar script: For the third straight game, Virginia led at the half -- this time despite an awful shooting performance during the first 20 minutes. The Cavaliers started out only 2 of 11 from the floor, but were able to make a 13-2 run late to lead by as much as seven with 3:07 in the half. Virginia would hold on to take a 27-26 lead into intermission.
The second-half featured some back and forth action in the opening minutes. Sophomore forward Lyndra Littles connected on a jumper with 11:35 to go that cut the Seminole lead to just one. However, Florida State bounced back with a 9-0 run to extend the score to 45-36 and keep Virginia playing catch-up the rest of the way.
The Cavaliers would cut the deficit back to four thanks to some inspired play by freshman guard Paulisha Kellum. But Virginia could not get any closer as Florida State was able to make the clutch shots when it needed to and improved its overall record to 16-5, 5-1 ACC.
The loss at Florida State would not be as demoralizing ifthe same thing had not happened just a few days ago in Raleigh against the Wolfpack.
The Cavaliers had been the victims of bad timing because the game marked the return of Wolfpack head coach Kay Yow who was making her return after battling cancer.
The emotion was something palatable as the crowd welcomed back Yow -- it was also something Virginia coach and cancer survivor Debbie Ryan could relate to herself.
"It was very emotional in the beginning," Ryan said. "Once the game started, I was okay. I care a lot about Kay as a person. She's one of the kindest, most generous people."
Virginia must have been in a generous mood as well, for it allowed the Wolfpack to outscore the Cavaliers by 16 in the second half. This was a scary trend considering that is exactly what happened the last time Virginia played the Wolfpack in Raleigh, two years ago.
"I thought my team played very well from start to finish," Ryan added. "They ran the game plan to perfection. We just didn't shoot the ball well."
While Ryan has constantly pointed out the youth of this team, particularly in losses, it is the youth that have been playing the most consistently.
Littles is the only Cavalier to have scored in double-figures in each of Virginia's four losses. Freshman guard Monica Wright struggled against one of the best defensive teams yesterday, but scored a team-high 23 against the Wolfpack and 17 against the Virginia Tech Hokies last Monday.
It seems youth is the only thing holding Wright back from becoming a superstar.
"It's her first year, she's going to get better," Ryan said.
If Virginia wants to climb out of the ACC cellar, she will have to do just that.
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