Since forward Cathy Grimes earned first-team honors on the inaugural All-ACC team in 1983-84, Virginia had churned out at least one first-, second- or third-team All-ACC performer in every season. That streak officially ended Tuesday, when the league released its 2010-11 all-conference teams without recognizing a single Cavalier. No Virginia Tech player earned all-conference honors either; neither of the Commonwealth’s schools even nabbed an honorable mention nod in the balloting of the league’s blue-ribbon voting panel.
The ACC’s coaches found something to like about Virginia, though. Cavaliers guard Ariana Moorer was named the league’s Sixth Player of the Year by the league’s 12 head coaches. Moorer led the Cavaliers in scoring (9.5 ppg) and assists (3.1 apg) despite starting just 8 of 30 games.
This year’s All-ACC first-teamers are Shenise Johnson and Riquna Williams of Miami, Jasmine Thomas of Duke, Cierra Bravard of Florida State and Carolyn Swords of Boston College. Swords earned all-ACC honors for the fourth straight season. N.C. State’s Bonae Holston, a Newport News native, was named to the All-ACC second team.
That Virginia Tech was shut out is hardly surprising; the Hokies finished last in the 12-team league. Virginia didn’t really have any obvious all-conference candidates, either (although Ataira Franklin has a strong resume for ACC All-Rookie team honors). But while not seeing any Cavaliers on this year’s list isn’t a shock, it is unique in the storied history of this program. In addition to having at least one All-ACC performer in every year since 1983-84, the Cavaliers have also had more All-ACC nods (59) than any other conference team.
Unlike most conferences, the ACC staggers the announcement of its postseason awards. So the Coach and Player of the Year and All-Defense and All-Rookie honors will trickle out separately over the next few days.