Story Links
Sept. 15, 2003
by Sean Lauer (4th year student)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Well, the fall semester is in full swing. All of the first-years are crowding the AFC like it’s their job, second-years have hit that awkward year when they’re not the newbies anymore, but they’re not quite third years, third-years are counting down the days until their 21st birthdays, and fourth-years are having sleepless nights as they contemplate the “real world.” Most importantly, Cavalier sports are rounding the first corner of their seasons and positioning themselves for the stretch run.
At a school like the University of Virginia, where sports are so highly competitive, and one loss brings the nay-sayers out of the woodwork, the passion for sports is a living, breathing organism. Everyone seems to have an opinion. Each student reading the Cav Daily on Monday morning thinks they could have called a better play in that game on Sunday when it was 3rd and long. However, one thing that cannot be denied or questioned is the success so far this fall of the women’s sports teams.
The newest members of the women’s varsity athletes at UVA are the golf team. These rookies, most of whom are first-years, have opened strong with an impressive victory over Richmond. “Overall, I was very impressed,” Coach Jan Mann said. “For their level of experience, I thought they did a great job of keeping their composure…. It’s always nice to start a season and a program with a victory.”
However, the most impressive team so far this season, men or women, has to be the volleyball team. They are fresh off of a tournament victory at the Kentucky Conference Challenge and the best start in school history at 11-0. “We knew we had a good package to put on the court,” explains Coach Melissa Shelton. “The biggest surprise is that we are undefeated. I thought there would have been a bump in the road along the way.” The girls have a long season ahead of them, including tough conference match-ups. Coach Shelton admits that, “The team’s biggest challenge the rest of the way will be continuing to improve. We have to bring our A-level game to the ACC.”
The women’s soccer team, already off to a decent start this fall, just took apart #2 ranked Santa Clara to record one of the biggest wins in school history. They then held off USC to take the Virginia Soccer Classic title in front of the hometown fans. “To win this tournament, with three qualities teams coming in, will really give our confidence a boost,” explains Coach Steve Swanson. “We just need to keep this momentum going next weekend.”
Women’s sports are off to a superb start this fall and it will no doubt provide for a lot of drama in the coming months. With the approaching conference play that starts in the near future, games are likely to become more exciting and competitive. Don’t miss out on any of the thrilling action. Check www.virginiasports.com for all of the women’s schedules and come support the lady Cavs!