UVA's Alonso, Blount learned valuable lessons

Virginia’s Mandy Alonso emerged as a starter at defensive end in the Cavaliers’ regular-season finale against Virginia Tech and in the Military Bowl against Navy.CHARLOTTESVILLE — Roommates and rookies together, defensive end Mandy Alonso and safety Joey Blount rushed out to the Virginia practice field last season, decidedly late.

Senior linebacker Micah Kiser took one look at the pair of true freshmen and sent them back to the locker room.

“I think we were still building the culture, and that was a big piece of the culture. If you come late, you can’t practice. You can’t work out,” Kiser, now preparing for the NFL draft, said recently. “Those good habits will carry over. Now, Joey and Mandy…