"We Want to be Playing in March", Coach Mox's Hoos Confident Entering Year 2

In her first season leading the Virginia women's basketball program, Amaka Agugua-Hamilton - known almost officially as Coach Mox - led the Cavaliers to a 10-win increase from the year prior, an undefeated run in non-conference play, and a postseason invitation to the NIT. But when asked about the accomplishments of year 1, Coach Mox cared the most about the establishment of the culture of her program, a culture that allowed her team to persevere through significant adversity.

"I really think it started with the culture - really setting the foundation of that in year one is what I was trying to do. I think our players bought into that for the most part. That's why I would say culture wins," said Coach Mox at the ACC Tipoff event in Charlotte on Tuesday. "I just loved our resilience. I always talk to them about persevering through adversity. We had so much adversity, but we never stopped. We played a game towards the end of the year with six available players, which is unheard of. There was a lot to be proud of."

As the Cavaliers make their final preparations for year 2 under Coach Mox, aspirations are high and the expectation is that Virginia can build off of last season's 15-15 record and qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018.

"As competitors, we want a better record. We want to be playing in March," Coach Mox said. "That's what we set out to accomplish this year."

Looking at the roster, there's plenty of reason to believe Virginia can achieve that lofty goal. The Cavaliers return four of their five leading scorers, including fifth year forward Camryn Taylor, a Second-Team All-ACC selection who joined Coach Mox at the ACC Tipoff event. Taylor also spoke on the team's persistence through adversity and the sisterhood that has developed among the team since last season.

"We've been through so much, and we're taking that in as we go. But I think the best thing is we play for each other. Like, that's the biggest thing I feel like we have definitely grown in since this summer," Taylor said on Tuesday. "Every single day we're getting better. Every single day there's improvement from everybody individually and as a team, as a collective."

In addition to Taylor, Virginia brings back an experienced roster featuring Sam Brunelle, Mir McLean, London Clarkson, Alexia Smith, Kaydan Lawson, Yonta Vaughn, and Cady Pauley. The Cavaliers also brought in three transfers - Taylor Lauterbach (Kansas State), Jillian Brown (Northwestern), and Paris Clark (Arizona) - and three freshmen, including a pair of top 50 in-state recruits in Kymora Johnson and Olivia McGhee and Swedish forward Edessa Noyan, who who comes with international experience.

With Coach Mox's preference for up-tempo basketball, there's a good chance we will see the entire Cavalier roster on the floor this season.

"We say family off the court, but it is on the court as well, because that's how we play," said Coach Mox. "Making the extra pass, maybe passing up a good shot for a great shot, whatever it is, it's only going to help us be better. I love the fact that everybody has bought into that because we have so many scorers. Literally all 14 players can score. We have great passers, too. It's going to make it really hard for the defense to guard us. You take one thing away, we're going to go to the next."

Given the team's much-improved depth, Coach Mox thinks Virginia should be able to execute that fast pace for entire games and play better defense this season as compared to last year.

"I expect us to be better defensively. I think we have some really, really good defenders," Coach Mox said. "We can play the way I want to play now. And also how fast we want to play, the tempo, the pace. I think we'll be able to sustain that for 40 minutes because we have depth. If we sub, we have more talented players coming in because we don't really drop off."

With the start of the season right around the corner - UVA opens up against Maryland Eastern Shore on November 8th at JPJ - Virginia native Sam Brunelle gave a strong answer when asked what she wants people to know about this team.

"I think I want them to know that we are a very, very special team," Brunelle said. "I think we can get overlooked by some at times. I think we're going to be the unexpected team that's going to be around. We're going to give you a hard time, so you better be ready for us."

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