Virginia Softball Announces 2009 Schedule

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. Virginia softball coach Eileen Schmidt has announced the 2009 schedule that features 27 home games at the team’s newly renovated facility, The Park. Schmidt enters her second season at the helm of the Cavalier program.

“We are spending a lot of time a home,” Schmidt said. “The ACC schedule is set up for us to play more at home and we have more midweek games at home. There are lots of chances for fans to come out and see some great games.”

Virginia returns 14 letterwinners from the 2008 team and welcomes four newcomers to the roster. Last year, the Cavaliers went 15- 39, including a 6-14 in conference play.

UVa will open its season on the road with three tournaments. On Feb. 7-8, the Cavaliers will play in the East Carolina Tournament in Greenville, N.C., followed by the UNLV Tournament in Las Vegas, Nev., the following weekend. Virginia will finish the road swing Feb. 20-22 at the South Carolina Tournament in Columbia, S.C.

The Cavaliers open a three-game homestand with George Washington Feb. 28-March 1 at The Park. Other non-conference home games include Rider (March 7), Lafayette (March 8), Liberty (April 1), Longwood (April 8), Norfolk State (April 14) and Hampton (April 15).

Among those Atlantic Coast Conference teams visiting The Park include 2008 World Series participant Virginia Tech (March 28-29) and NCAA Tournament participant Georgia Tech (April 18-19). The Cavaliers also host Maryland April 4-5 in Charlottesville for conference play.

“The ACC in general will be a more veteran league this season,” Schmidt said. “It should be a strong and competitive year in the conference from top to bottom.”

Virginia hits the road to play at NCAA Tournament participant North Carolina (April 10-11) as well as other road contests against NC State (March 21-22) and Florida State (April 25-26).

The 2009 ACC Tournament is scheduled for May 8-10 in Raleigh, N.C, with NC State serving as the host school.