The Washington Mystics feel like a different team since Jessie Kenlaw took over as coach.

The Mystics will be trying to continue their strong play under Kenlaw on Sunday when they host the Connecticut Sun.

Kenlaw was named interim coach on July 19 when the Mystics (10-15) fired Tree Rollins. Washington has responded, winning two of three under Kenlaw, including Friday's 81-75 victory over Atlanta.

"Coach Kenlaw is definitely more enthusiastic," said Taj McWilliams-Franklin, who had 13 points and 12 rebounds against the expansion Dream. "She is constantly motivating us. That's her style."

The Mystics have averaged 81.0 points under Kenlaw, more than 11 better than their season average. They also have shown improvement on defense in the last three games, yielding 70.7 points per contest - more than three points lower than their season average.

Washington held Atlanta scoreless in the final 3:46 of Friday's win.

"What I have stressed since taking over the team is defense and discipline," Kenlaw said. "This is what I felt we were missing. In the past, we have been a halfcourt team, and I would like to see us get out and run more."

McWilliams-Franklin has averaged 18.0 points over the last three games. Alana Beard, who leads the team with an average of 16.4 points, chipped in 12 against Atlanta.

"My goal tonight was to drive around them and force them to move their feet and pass the ball to the open person," McWilliams-Franklin said. "That was why we were able to get so many easy baskets."

McWilliams-Franklin has scored just 13 total points in the first two meetings with the Sun (15-10), while Beard has averaged 15.0. Connecticut's Lindsay Whalen has averaged 24.0 points and matched a career high with 33 in the last meeting, a 69-64 Washington victory on July 13 that evened the season series at one win apiece.

Whalen had 22 points in Connecticut's 87-61 win over Los Angeles on Thursday for her second straight 20-point effort.

"She felt fresh," coach Mike Thibault said. "She really pushed it and tried to attack."

Rookie Sandrine Gruda chipped in a career-high 16 points as the Sun, who, along with the Mystics, are playing their last game before the league breaks for the Olympics. Connecticut trails first-place Detroit by a half-game in the Eastern Conference.

"As I said before, we have goals," said Barbara Turner, who had 12 points against the Sparks. "We want to win the season series (with Washington) and come out and possibly be on top in the East going into the break. We are all focusing on our goals and not thinking about the Olympic break right now."