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Dec. 8, 2006

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – University of Virginia head softball coach Karen Johns has announced that fourth-years Elea Crockett (Tucson, Ariz./University) and Amy McKean (Kent, Wash./Kentlake), third-year Whitney Holstun (Escondido, Calif./Escondido), and first-year Abby Snyder (Cantonment, Fla./Tate) have been selected as team captains for the 2007 season. The team conducted a group evaluation and the captains were selected via the results of the evaluation.

“I am extremely pleased to announce the 2007 team captains,” said Johns. “Each athlete has earned the respect of their peers by their level of commitment to the program, both on and off the field. To have a junior and a freshman represent the team in this capacity speaks volumes for the type of people we have in our program. The luxury of coaching at an institution such as Virginia allows for so many natural leaders to present themselves within each group. This year’s captains represent the diversity of our group and the passion for which they show for their team.”

Crockett has been UVa’s starting second baseman throughout her career. She has started 160 of the 166 games she has appeared in. Crockett enters her senior season with a .329 (159-484) career batting average. She ranks fourth on Virginia’s all-time stolen bases list with 49, including a single season school record tying 24 steals in 2005. Crockett earned second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors in 2005 and went on to earn second team All-Southeast Region honors.

McKean, who started 88 of 109 games during her career, has played catcher, third base and first base for UVa during her first three seasons. McKean was off to a great start in 2006 with seven home runs in her first 26 games, but a knee injury curtailed the terrific start. She hit a team and career-best .310 (31-100) with 24 RBI in 2006. McKean led the Cavaliers with a .590 slugging percentage and 17 walks.

Holstun is a versatile player who will compete for a starting spot in the outfield for Virginia in 2007. She has played both the infield and outfield and even pitched for the Cavaliers during the 2005 season. In 2006, Holstun played in 50 games with 37 starts. She hit .257 (27-105) with three home runs and 17 RBI.

Snyder is believed to be the first UVa student-athletes to be named a team captain as a freshman. Snyder had a terrific fall training season for UVa and quickly earned the respect of her teammates. She is expected to be the Cavaliers’ starting third baseman in 2007.

Virginia opens its 2007 season by competing in the USF Best Western Invitational in Tampa, Fla., Feb. 9-11. The Cavaliers play Western Kentucky in the season-opener at 10:00 a.m. on Feb. 9.

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