25th Anniversary ACC Women's Basketball Tournament Page
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by Debbie Antonelli
ACC Women's Basketball Television Analyst
In continuing with my efforts to recognize a former player from the ACC, it's Virginia's turn. Liza Lank graduated from the grounds in 1987. Lank was a multi year starter for the Cavaliers and has frequented the ACC Tournaments in the past as a former player. She has a wonderful story about her relationship with her coach, Debbie Ryan and about what UVA means to her. She has allowed me to share this story with you.
It is not only the 25th Anniversary of the ACC Tournament but it is also Debbie Ryan's silver anniversary year at Virginia. Lank was one of many former players that showed up for the weekend celebration to honor her coach. I got a chance to catch up with her there.
"When you come back, you get to see players through the years that all share a common bond that very few players get to share in that the same coach has been there for all these years. I can relate to the players from the seventies, eighties and the nineties because of Debbie. We are all family and we all help Debbie when we can with her program."
Liza Lank is instrumental in the "Big Sisters" program that Ryan put in place this year. A former player acts as a mentor to a current player and helps the current player with current day issues.
Lank has an ACC Tournament memory unlike anyone else's in the 25-year history of the event. It was March 2, 1987 and Virginia was playing NC State in the finals in Fayetteville. Kay Yow has won two titles at this point, Debbie Ryan none. It was a hard fought battle the entire game. These two teams split during the regular season and they were both ranked in the top 25, Virginia in the top 10.
It is a possession for possession type of game. Inside one minute, NC State with the ball trailing by one point and they turn it over. Lank, the 6'0 fourth year player for Debbie Ryan from Springfield, VA had a breakaway, uncontested lay-up that would put Virginia up by three and possibly clinch their first every ACC Tournament Title.
I happened to be a spectator at the game and I remember the play. Lank missed the gimme and NC State went on to score, win by one point and capture their second ACC Title in three years, third overall. That's where the memory and the story ended for Lank. WRONG. That is where the story begins.
"If I only could have made that basket" claimed Lank 30 minutes after the game. If I only could have made that basket is the same claim 15 years later. Lank was devastated and so was her team to not be the champions. It took Lank several weeks to get over it.
Ryan said her senior took it really hard. "We had to give her time to let her get it out of her system. I told Liza that there were a lot of easy shots missed in that game. It wasn't just her shot that made the difference." Lank wasn't budging.
UVA was ranked in the top 10 at this time and went on to the NCAA Tournament finishing with a record of 26-5 for the season. But it is the one that gets away that sometimes give you more vivid memories. This story gets better. . .
Debbie Ryan is a well-prepared, hard-nosed competitor. She was that as a player and is that as a coach. It is the public persona one would see as a former player in the league or as a knowledgeable fan but it is the endearing side of Debbie Ryan, the emotional side of her personality that made the many former players come back to Charlottesville to share in the celebration of their coach's achievements in her Silver Anniversary. It is the healthy respect for friendship between a coach and a player that Liza Lank can prove with an ACC Tournament Ring. That's right, an ACC Tournament Ring. Liza Lank did indeed earn a ring.
It was from the first ACC Tournament crown that UVA won in 1990. Lank wasn't a part of that team physically but she was a part of that team in spirit. She has already graduated and was off in the business world but her coach sensed the need to put an end to a lingering ailment that Lank was suffering with from the 1987 Tournament. So Debbie Ryan presented Lank with a ring from the 1990 team championship. A gesture from Ryan to let her former player know that time has healed the tangible need and desire to win an ACC Title. The ring, in all its symbolism represents a memory that will not be lost on Lank or her coach or me. Anyone who has competed can recall the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. No more agony of defeat for Lank. Debbie Ryan took care of Liza Lank on that day and gave Lank a moment she will cherish forever, a memory that surpasses other wins and losses in the Wahoo blue and orange.
Lank says there were many lessons learned on the grounds at UVA from Debbie Ryan that are carried over into her current profession today. Lank has worked for Anheuser-Busch, Inc for 12 years, the past 3 ½ as the Sales Director for the Maryland, DC and Delaware areas.
"Debbie's vision is more than winning games. It is a culture she has built which pushes you to the limits of your abilities. Teamwork and communication skills are all things I use in my career today. Debbie built the program to transcend wins and losses."
Anyone who played in the ACC Tournament can share in this story. Anyone who has competed for something and wanted it so badly can relate. I would like to personally thank Liza for letting us all share in this wonderful story about the thrill of victory.
