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Monday Motivation: February 24

This week we have some ACC Champs, some baseball, lacrosse, tennis, and of course...basketball.

By Caroline Darney
Yes, low five away. You're tops in the ACC.
Yes, low five away. You're tops in the ACC.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Another week down for Virginia athletics, another slew of victories.

To kick this week's motivation off, the women's swimming and diving team brought home their SEVENTH STRAIGHT ACC Championship. They scored a whopping 1,433 points, which was 228 more than their closest competitor, North Carolina.

Congratulations to the team, and thank you for bringing the first ACC Championship of the 2013-2014 season back to Charlottesville!

The No. 1 ranked baseball teamed kept rolling this week, destroying William and Mary 17-2 and sweeping Eastern Carolina University at Davenport this weekend 3-2, 4-0, and 6-2.

There was the first real #PAPIWATCH of the season, as Mike Papi hit a grand slam and drove in a career high six runs against W&M.

First year Matt Thaiss had a heck of a day in the series closer against ECU, and caught the eye of Andrew Ramspacher from the Daily Progress:

Thaiss finished 3-4 with two runs and an RBI. Not too shabby. Not shabby at all.

The men's lacrosse team won their fourth straight game, and even managed to win by more than a one goal margin. Career days for Ryan Tucker (goals), Mark Cockerton (assists), and Owen Van Arsdale (assists, points) propelled the Hoos to a 19-12 victory over Rutgers.

Check out all the recaps from the Daily Progress, Inside Lacrosse, and Streaking the Lawn. Highlights are available here. Virginia travels to Mount St. Mary's on Tuesday before returning back to Klöckner Stadium for the nightcap on Saturday against Syracuse.

Virginia alumni had a big week as well, with Somdev Devvarman and Mike Scott representing the Wahoos phenomenally.

Somdev knocked off the top seeded Aleksandr Nedovyesov 6-3, 6-1 to win the Delhi Open, his third ITA championship. He didn't drop a single set in the tournament, but knows he's not the young buck he once was.

"I have to take greater care of myself. I can't party till 6 a.m. anymore. May be, till 4 a.m. (laughs). Sleep is more important now. But this is huge. Tennis is a brutal sport. In the main draw, 31 guys lose and one wins. So whenever I win, I cherish."

Former UVA basketball superstar and god, Mike Scott of the Atlanta Hawks dropped a career high 30 points on the Knicks Saturday evening, and it was glorious.

No, no. He's our man. I do love how they frequently call him Michael, but where did this three point game come from!?

In this week's "oh crap, the ranked basketball team keeps winning" news, the No. 14 ranked basketball team kept winning.

First up was a rematch with the ACC's basement dweller, our arch rivals down in Blacksburg. The sasquatch-sized trap game was set against Virginia Tech, and a lot of Wahoo fans (myself included) were nervous.

For awhile, it seemed the nerves were justified as the Hoos were cold from the field and behind 11 points with 14 minutes to play. Virginia came alive late in the second half on three pointers from Perrantes, Harris, Anderson, and Brogdon, and managed to eke out the 57-53 win.

John Gasaway captured the moment pretty well, and even got in a dig on Tech's uniforms (always good in my book):

As ugly as it was, the win counted, and solidified a win streak for the seniors.

On Wednesday night, the Hoos got a little helping hand in the conference standings from the Boston College Eagles as they handed Syracuse their first loss of the season and gave Virginia a half game lead in the conference.

Saturday, Joe Harris (#swoon), Akil, and the gang took the court to face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. After a quick start, Virginia let the Irish back into the game, and the match was tied going into half time. The Cavaliers let Mike Brey's squad hang around for a bit in the second half, but a three pointer from Joey Hoops (#swoon) broke the tie, and 'the block' from Justin Anderson (followed by a dunk from Anthony Gill) blew the game wide open.

Virginia rattled off a 25-0 run to solidify the win, and the whole team truly looked like they enjoyed the experience. THE John Paul Jones (the namesake of the arena, not the naval hero), was in attendance and received a huge round of applause from the crowd.

Following the Virginia win, the ACC gathered to see the 'new rivalry' rematch between Duke and Syracuse, which ended with a ton of excitement after 'Boeheim-gate'. While the sports media focused on blocks, charges, jacket half-taking-off-then-putting-back-on, and double technicals, Virginia fans could just sit back and smile.

The Wahoos now hold a one and a half game lead in the conference, and are guaranteed at least a three seed in the ACC Tournament.

As Coach Bennett would say...just one step at a time.

Next up, the Hoos host Miami at JPJ, then Syracuse comes to town for one of the biggest games in recent UVA basketball history.

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