With the Virginia women’s basketball season beginning on Monday, Amaka Agugua-Hamilton believes the team is in a good position, which is encouraging to hear after last season’s results. Coach Mox inherited the program off a 5-22 year, but UVA seems ready to begin the new era. One thing that has stood out to her is how the Hoos have bought into the new culture.
“Culture Wins” is a phrase that has been printed on the team’s shirts, and it is an idea that has been pushed on the players since Agugua-Hamilton’s arrival.
“I think it’s just about what kind of culture do you want to be in and what kind of environment do you want to build,” Coach Mox said. “That’s what I started doing from Day 1. The emphasis has been on culture. … It’s a journey that will continue through the course of the season, probably even years.”
In establishing that new culture, Agugua-Hamilton has brought along her coaching staff from Missouri State to Virginia. The transition “was a little bit easier” this time around because of the continuity and experience she has working with this group. Because of this, the coaches know what to expect from Coach Mox and how to install the new culture. They also have been exposed to the success in Springfield, Missouri, that featured a Sweet Sixteen appearance for the Lady Bears in 2020-2021.
It is also always great for any coaches to have experienced leaders. One of these key returners for Virginia is Camryn Taylor, who took a leave of absence after the Jan. 13 game against North Carolina State last season. Through 12 games, the Marquette transfer averaged 12.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game and scored in double figures on eight occasions. Taylor, now a senior, has returned to the team and has assumed a leadership role for a Cavalier team looking to make a positive transition.
“I think myself and my staff, we’ve invested in all of [the players],” Agugua-Hamilton said. “It was a process in the beginning getting [Taylor] back into things. … I think she’s confident. Just a tremendous teammate. She’s always encouraging her teammates. She’s the first one to give them a high five or chest bump. … She’s really thriving in this culture with her teammates and she loves them.”
Another leader will be graduate transfer and Ruckersville native Sam Brunelle. She returns home after spending three seasons at Notre Dame, averaging 10.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per in her stint. However, some injuries and a coaching transition has seen her production fall off over the past two seasons. Coming back to Virginia, Brunelle was enticed by the chance to play for Coach Mox in Charlottesville, and the feeling is mutual.
Although Brunelle missed the summer recovering from shoulder surgery, the impact she brings for the Cavaliers could be substantial.
“I want to keep the hometown kids home,” Agugua-Hamilton said. “She takes a lot of pride, and I think that she’s going to bring versatility to the offensive side of the ball. She can shoot it; she can really pass it, which allows us to do stuff, especially when they’re doubling our post players. … She’s a little bit behind, but I like where she’s at.”
Taylor Valladay had some big games last season as the lead ball-handler for the Hoos. Her 1.16 assist-to-turnover ratio, which ranked No. 7 in the ACC, shows the type of playmaker she could be for Virginia this season. Her athleticism allows her to play fast, which should benefit in Agugua-Hamilton’s system that likes to push the ball. That was on display in an exhibition game where UVA outscored Division II Pitt Johnstown 92-45. Getting the offense to play out in transition more effectively was something that was worked on throughout the summer, and Valladay may be a beneficiary.
Looking at the overall team, Coach Mox has done well in a short time filling up some holes. She brought in the aforementioned Brunelle, along with Minnesota transfer Alexia Smith and incoming freshmen Yonta Vaughn and Cady Pauley. Despite these additions, it may take some time before Virginia reaches the heights that Agugua-Hamilton and her staff reached at Missouri State. At the same time, they all believe the talent is there and the team will be significantly better than prior seasons.
“I didn’t really watch UVA women’s basketball in recent years,” Coach Mox said. “I saw the win-loss record. … I say it all the time, when I had my first individual workout, my staff and I were like, ‘We got talent.’ … I was really shocked by that, just based on the record. I’m excited about the talent we have, but you also have to get people to play together, buy in, understand and be able to go do it when the lights are on. I think we’re moving in that direction.”
Final Word
As mentioned earlier, Agugua-Hamilton stated she wants “to keep the hometown kids home.” During the Debbie Ryan era, the Cavaliers rose to prominence, as they made 20 straight NCAA Tournament appearances and 24 overall during her Hall of Fame career. Coach Mox referenced that players, such as Brunelle, who are affiliated with Virginia know how historic the program truly is, despite its recent downfall. These players and recruits have a different sense of pride that will be needed to restore the glory from the past. Agugua-Hamilton, a Herndon, Virginia, native also understands this. Despite not attending UVA, she grew up in these heydays, and her and the coaching staff is looking to bring back that success.
To end the presser, Coach Mox, jokingly, stressed for fans to come to the games. The Cavaliers have had a losing record the past four seasons, but the coaching change has breathed new life and hope into this women’s program. With a proven coaching staff, Virginia looks to be heading into the right direction, and we will see how this program fares in their season opener against George Washington on Monday at 5 p.m. at the John Paul Jones Arena.
