After a breakout season last year in which Virginia secured a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2001, the Cavaliers return this year with the weight of a No. 8 preseason ranking on their shoulders. With the loss of last year's six seniors, however, the team will have to rely on significant contributions from the Class of 2011.
"We need everybody to play, so it'll depend on how fast they can grasp it, what they can contribute in and what positions they can play," Virginia coach Michele Madison said. "That will be a developing process, I'm sure it'll grow as the year goes, but if you graduate six, some freshmen have to play."
The eight freshmen -- Devon Burnley, Haley Carpenter, Shelley Edmonds, Kaitlyn Hiltz, Jamie Mulhare, Laura Nelson, Taylor Swezey and Boyd Vicars -- undertake the charge of filling the void left by a talented Class of 2007 that boasted five consistent starters, including all-ACC and all-state midfielder Mia Link and all-state forward Biffy Cornelison. As a whole, last year's senior class scored 17 of Virginia's 53 goals and dished out 16 of the team's 42 assists.
"The seniors were the people who wanted it the most," junior back Inge Kaars Sijpesteijn said. "They were so positive and never complained and always worked hard. They were true leaders."
Although the Cavaliers graduated a number of their leaders last year, the freshmen are not without guidance. Virginia boasts a coaching staff headed by Madison, last year's national coach of the year, who led the team to sudden prominence in her first year with the team. Several of last year's returning players have also stepped into a leadership role, including Sijpesteijn, a first-team All-American last year, sophomore back Lauren Elstein and junior back Katherine Bounds.
Sijpesteijn, Elstein and Bounds "really serve to try to foster communication between the staff and the players," Madison said. "They understand the system and they understand what it takes."
"The system" is the term the team uses for its tactical approach, starting with the formation, which is 3-3-3-1: three forwards, three midfielders, three backs, a sweeper and a goalkeeper. The system, however, is more complex then just a formation, with nuances unique to Virginia's style of play. With so many new faces on the team, the coaching staff started with the basics in preseason.
"It's just a matter of teaching how to press, when to press, where to press, how to attack, where to attack," Madison said. "We have to start from square one and run through everything again."
Despite the team's inexperience, however, Madison has the Cavaliers' sights set on returning to the NCAA Tournament and winning a national championship.
"The program goal of course is to win the national championship, so that's what motivates us on a day-to-day basis," Madison said. "We don't know if we can win it this year, next year or the year after, but if we get a chance to do it we want to be ready, as ready as possible"
Read More
Buchanan jolts arena with season-best performance
By Michael Liebermann | YesterdayRon Sanchez challenged his players to rebound better, and Buchanan answered resoundingly.
Third-quarter surge pushes women’s basketball ahead of Virginia Tech
By Lauren Halak | YesterdayVirginia conquered its rival, earning an ever-important ACC victory.
With last-second three-pointer, SMU silences men’s basketball
By Michael Liebermann and Thomas Baxter | 2 days agoThe late shot crushed a bouncing arena.
