Monica Wright, the 2006-07 ACC Rookie of the Year, does not know the meaning of the "sophomore slump". The Virginia second-year is second on the team in scoring with a clip of 17.4 points per game. Wright is also averaging 5.2 rebounds, and leads in team in blocks (14), steals (61), and total scoring (383). While leading in the statistics, Wright maintains her focus on helping her Cavaliers get to the NCAA Tournament.

When did you first start playing basketball?
I started out as a nine-year-old playing AAU... not knowing what I was doing, just running around, when it was fun. I was actually a soccer player. I loved playing soccer and started way before I played basketball. (Soccer) was my first love. I grew into basketball once I started getting better. I kind of let soccer go after middle school because I realized I had a brighter future in basketball.

Can you talk a bit about your AAU experience?
AAU was a major part because that is where most of the recruiting happens and where most college coaches look at you. I shifted around. I played for a Maryland team - that's where I met my current teammate Paulisha Kellum. From there I played for Boo Williams, where I met a lot of the players I play against now in the ACC. Moving around to play with the best teams and get the best looks was definitely important.

What is the best advice you've received from a coach?
I can't think of a phenomenal quote, but I know when I played AAU, one of my coaches used to always say, "Who stopped you? When you are going to the hole and you stop and don't go to score... is anybody stopping you? No one's stopping you so why don't you just go score?" That stuck with me and now I have a scorer's mentality, which is very helpful. That is something I think about when I am driving (to the basket). I am (thinking) "No one is stopping me right now so I should just go ahead and take it."

Who is your most influential role model?
My dad... He has basically been there through everything. Sports-wise, he is the reason why I am so successful. He invested (his) time, money, everything into my future - whether it was driving me three hours to a soccer tournament or driving me to Bethesda, Md., twice a week to go practice with an AAU team. We lived in northern Virginia and he works in D.C.; he would come from work to pick me up from school or practice and drive (me) up to Bethesda to go practice with my AAU team. I realize he really did invest a lot and he's the reason why I am where I am.

What is your greatest accomplishment as an athlete?
I would have to say being a high school All-American. That just makes you feel like all of your hard work and everything isn't going unseen. And also getting to play for UVA. That is the ultimate reward - playing for a program that you love and a coach that you really like, and being a part of something really special.

What do you still hope to accomplish?
Right now, I am really team-oriented. At the moment, I am wanting to accomplish a lot of great things at the end of this season. I am focused on winning the ACC Tournament and the regular season. There are a lot of team-oriented goals that I am focused on right now, rather than individual.

What about your team's mission to get back to the NCAA Tournament?
It's a (sense) of urgency. We all love our seniors and know how much they have committed to the program. The seniors deserve nothing less than to go to the NCAAs and finish successfully. I take that and (think that) every game has to be a game that is going to help us get to that situation.

Why did you choose Virginia?
Ever since they started recruiting me, I've always felt like this was a home. They are very family-oriented, which is something I really love. And Coach Ryan being the legendary coach that she is, you can't go wrong. She has the experience and she definitely knows what she is doing. The girls are all great and that is what is really important to me - being around teammates that I know I can trust and are genuine people. Plus, it's close to home and my dad loves the fact that he gets to come see me play. (Same with) my mom and my family.

Talking about Coach Ryan, what do you most admire about her?
I admire her experience and the way she keeps us poised. She is always focused and always poised. That is what I admire most about her. If I ever become a coach, that is what I am going to take from her. I appreciate the fact that she can get us focused and ready to play.

What is it like competing in a conference like the ACC?
Some people would say it's very competitive and it's hard to make it to the tournament, but I love playing in a conference that is one of the best in the country, knowing that every day I am going to have to bring my 'A' game, especially during conference play. There is not a day that you can take off. Every team is good and every team is talented. It means a lot. And I always liked the ACC. I always looked to it to be the best conference - men and women. It's definitely something special being a part of the ACC.

After being ACC Rookie of the Year last year, does that put more pressure on you this year?
I don't know if I am targeted. We have so many different threats on our team. They can't really target one player, because then the other players will probably go off and score career highs. I don't feel pressure - I just focus on the team and things that we need to accomplish. I don't let anything put extra pressure on me.

Your team took a trip to Africa last spring. How that impacted you personally?
Africa was a great thing for the team. Personally, there was nothing like it. It was a totally different culture. It was an eye-opener. I personally let go of a lot of materialistic things and realized that there are other things in life that can make you happy.

Do you have any plans yet for after graduation?
I do want to keep playing until I can't play any more, play overseas, try to get to the WNBA. I just want to enjoy the fact that I can play the game for as long as I can. And then do something related to basketball, coaching-wise, because I really love the game.

Monica Wright and the Cavaliers travel to College Park, Md., for a rematch with the Terrapins tonight at 7 p.m. The team returns home to Charlottesville on Sunday to take on Florida State at 2 p.m. Sunday's match-up can be viewed on ACC Select.