Kymora Johnson and the Virginia women's squad celebrated a hard-fought victory over Arizona State in the First Four, marking their first NCAA Tournament win since 2018. This win was a significant milestone, and it was time for the UVA name to move forward on the tournament board. As the team cheered, Johnson was encouraged to place the Virginia rectangle on the board, but she deferred to her teammate.
“No, senior,” Johnson insisted, passing the honor to Caitlin Weimar, who had finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Johnson explained, “They thought since I made the big shot, I should do it, but as a leader, I want others to step up. Cait hit those crucial free throws for us, so I wanted her to have the opportunity.”
Virginia head coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton praised Johnson’s selflessness, noting, “That’s Mo. It’s never about her. She always credits others and uplifts her teammates.”
Johnson played a pivotal role in the win against Arizona State, scoring 17 points and hitting a crucial go-ahead 3-pointer with just 30.6 seconds left. She capped the scoring with a free throw, marking her eighth career double-double. Her performance put her in elite company, joining Dawn Staley and DeMya Walker as the only UVA players this century to record 10+ points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in an NCAA Tournament game.
Coach Agugua-Hamilton emphasized Johnson’s impact: “Mo’s the hometown hero. She always talks about her teammates and uplifts those around her. It wasn’t about her putting Virginia on the board; she wanted Caitlin, who also had a great game, to do it.”
Since Agugua-Hamilton and her staff arrived, they’ve been focused on building a strong team culture, which has translated into consistent improvement for Virginia. “Culture is big for us,” she said. “We’ve brought in players who buy into our philosophy and want to be part of something bigger than themselves.”
Johnson echoed this sentiment, saying, “This is what we all came here to do. We all bought into the coaching staff’s philosophy and winning.”
Looking ahead, Virginia is set to face No. 7 Georgia on Saturday.
The Bulldogs, with a 22-9 record, present a formidable challenge. They boast a balanced team ranked 35th in offensive efficiency and 28th in defensive efficiency.
Georgia’s standout player, Dani Carnegie, averages 18 points per game and is a force on the boards.
“They’re physical and can really score,” Agugua-Hamilton said. “Georgia’s coach has them playing at a high level, and Carnegie is a phenomenal player we know well.”
Johnson added, “They’re aggressive, similar to the team we just faced. We’ve got to play our game confidently and show everyone what Virginia basketball is all about.”
Virginia is on a mission to reclaim its successful past. Johnson reflected, “I know what it took to get here, and bringing Virginia back to its glory days is my dream. It’s special to be part of this team, and we’re excited to keep playing and see what’s next.”