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Virginia 84, Wagner 41
2011 Marriott Cavalier Classic
Dec. 28, 2011
Postgame Quotes

Virginia Head Coach Joanne Boyle
On the early run:
“We started out a little sluggish. We kind of just extended the defense. I thought the kids did a great job; our offense got started because of what we were doing defensively.”

On the team’s mentality of late:
“We’re just trying to focus on us and trying to prepare for a couple teams in the tournament. You can’t know everything that they’re going to do. For us, especially with China (Crosby) being out, we had to create a bit of a new identity, playing Kelsey (Wolfe) a little bit more at the point and getting into a different rotation. It was good for us to see what we’ll look like; I was pleased with the outcome. It was really great for everybody to get minutes.”

On Ariana Moorer:
“She kept us in it. We weren’t scoring at all there until the press really started working. She was really getting to the rack and had some nice pull-up jumpers. She got us started.”

On playing UMass:
“One of their players (Megan Zullo), at least when I was out there watching, was five for six from the 3-point line; she was money all night. They have two physical post players so their post game is obviously much different than what we saw tonight. It’s going to be much more of a physical post game and we have to know where that particular shooter is. Any of their kids are capable of getting hot; they have a couple who can really shoot it. Again, its totally respect to whatever team we’re playing but in such as short turnaround you have to worry about what you can control. We know they’re going to have physical post player and we have to allow them to have tough touches and really locate their shooters.”

Virginia Guard Ariana Moorer
On her play of late:
“I think with me, it’s just confidence. I have been battling that and have had ups and downs. I’ve stayed up more recently and that’s really helped me stay focused during the game.”

On China Crosby being out:
“It’s nothing new; we know we’re just going to have to step it up another notch for her. She wants to be out there as badly as any of us. We just have to keep stepping up for her.”

On the Marriott Cavalier Classic:
“We’ve had some good teams in it. We definitely want to win it – it’s our tournament and we want to take the trophy.”

Virginia Guard Ataira Franklin
On the early run:
“We really picked it up on defense. Coach Cory (McNeill) is always on me because I’m at the top of (the zone). I think once everyone loosened up, we started getting deflections up top. We were aggressive in the press and I think that helped us get going offensively. Lexie (Gerson) was yelling the whole time to let our defense be our offense. We really bought into what she was saying.”

On the mindset of playing in a tournament:
“We always just try to focus on us and do the things that make us a great team. We have to keep building on our own identity and do those things right. We can’t worry about the opponent.”

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