Virginia Hosts Tech in Commonwealth Challenge Game on Thursday
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Feb. 1, 2006
This Week
Virginia begins February with its toughest four-game stretch yet this season. The Cavaliers begin by hosting intra-state rival Virginia Tech on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. at University Hall. This is the second and final competition between the women’s basketball teams in the Commonwealth Challenge.
UVa then hits the road for two games against Top 10 teams. The first stop is College Park, Md., for a game with No. 6 Maryland on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 5). Tip-off is set for Noon at the Comcast Center.
The Cavaliers then head to No. 2 Duke on Friday, Feb. 10. Tip-off at Cameron Indoor Stadium is set for 7 p.m. The Regional Sports Network- Fox Sports Net South, Comcast Sports Net, SunSports- will televise the game.
Scouting Virginia Tech
The Hokies, under the guidance of second-year head coach Beth Dunkenberger, stand 14-5 overall and 1-5 in ACC play after a 77-62 loss at Miami on Sunday. Senior forward Kerri Gardin paces the squad with 12.5 ppg and 9.6 rpg, while senior guard Dawn Chriss follows with 12.2 ppg. Senior guard Carrie Mason adds 11.2 ppg.
Series vs. Hokies
Virginia owns a perfect 3-0 mark against Virginia Tech in ACC play and a 28-8 record in all-time action. In the teams’ first meeting of the season on Jan. 16 in Blacksburg, the unranked Cavaliers upset No. 18/23 Tech, 78-59. Freshman Lyndra Littles (Washington, D.C.) paced UVa with her fourth double-double of a career-high 19 points and game-high 12 rebounds. Sophomore Takisha Granberry (Charlotte, N.C.) came off the bench for a career-high 16 points. The Cavalier bench out-scored the Hokie bench, 42-13.
Commonwealth Challenge
This year, Virginia and intra-state rival Virginia Tech have added a new dimension to their long-time rivalry. The Commonwealth Challenge is a comprehensive competition involving teams in the two schools’ athletics programs. With Adelphia’s support, it is designed to increase the exposure and interest level in the various sports, while promoting good sportsmanship among student-athletes, coaches and fans of the schools. A point system determines the annual winner of the competition.
The trophy is symbolic of the foundation and history of both schools. The Old Virginia red brick and Hokie Stone are the physical foundations of the buildings, which make both Universities special. We wanted the trophy to communicate the uniqueness of each school, while also showing another example of how the two schools have come together for the greater good of everyone involved. Similarly, the traveling plaques will encompass the Commonwealth Challenge logo and has space for each schools logo to be attached based on the year’s competitions. The winning school, for each sport, will keep the plaque until the next competition.
The Cavaliers and Hokies meet twice in women’s basketball. Each game is worth one point in the Commonwealth Challenge tally. Virginia leads the Hokies, 9-3.
Dunkenberger Returns to University Hall for the Last Time
Virginia Tech head coach Beth Dunkenberger is making her last visit to historic University Hall as the Hokies’ mentor. As a youngster, the Shawsville, Va., native attended Debbie Ryan’s basketball camp at the University of Virginia. During her college days (1984-88), Dunkenberger also served as a counselor at the camp. UVa will play in the John Paul Jones Arena next season.
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