Football
Our Cavalier football team has quite the promising season ahead of them as their 2012 squad consists of three Lombardi Watch List players: senior linebacker Steve Greer, senior offensive tackle Oday Aboushi and junior offensive tackle Morgan Moses. Two of which (Aboushi and Greer) are named to the preseason All-ACC Squad. Aboushi and Moses were named to the 2012 Outland Trophy Watch List, while Greer was named to the 2012 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. Not to mention there will be a lot of competition brewing between current quarterback Michael Rocco and newly transferred and eligible quarterback Phillip Sims from the University of Alabama. Head Coach Mike London brings a strong incoming freshmen class to the field to join this well-rounded squad. Come support the men as they open up at Scott’s Stadium September 1st vs Richmond at 3pm!
Volleyball
With a brand new outstanding coaching staff: Dennis Hohenshelt (previous Penn State Asst. Coach), Stevie Mussie (previous North Carolina State Asst. Coach) and Aaron Smith (previous Northwestern Asst. Coach), the Virginia Cavalier volleyball squad looks like they have a solid foundation. Taking in four incoming first years and one transfer from the University of Miami, this Virginia squad is full of talent and tenacity. A few note worthy successes from the incoming freshman are: Amanda Barnes (5-6 defensive specialist- Virginia Beach, VA) named to the 2011 Virginia High School Coaches Association All-State first team, Manon Fuller (6-0 outside hitter from Los Angeles, California) named to the all-championship team after tallying 17 kills in the state final, and Kayla Sears (6-2 outside hitter from Moorpark, California) who earned All-America status after leading her club team to a fifth-place finish at the 2011 AAU Junior National Championships in Orlando, the highest finish by a California squad. Added to the freshmen squad is Natalie Bausback (6-2 Outside Hitter from Carlsbad, California) named to the 2011 Prep Volleyball High School All-America First Team selection along with being named team MVP of the state championship finals and to the All-Tournament team. Last but not least this freshman class wraps up with Vivian Burcescu (6-4 Middle Blocker from Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.) who earned the title of an Under Armour All-American along with conference Player of the Year. The team packs up for their preseason tournament at Colorado State on August 24th, but will return to Memorial Gymnasium for their first tournament August 31st at 7pm!
Women’s Soccer
Having gone 17-5-2, finishing the season ranked No. 6 nationally, and reaching the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament, taking on its 18th consecutive NCAA appearance (third longest streak nationally) and its 24th overall NCAA appearance, these women are excited to go all the way this year with five new additions to the squad. The 2012 incoming freshman are ranked among the top classes to come to Virginia. All five players are ranked among the top 65 players in the class by ESPN Rise. Three of the players are NSCAA All-Americans and four have United States youth national team experience. With their first exhibition match at Notre Dame on August 10th, they will return home for a second at 7pm on August 12th!
Men’s Soccer
Our Cavalier Men’s Soccer team have gained a lot of attention with their incoming 2012-2013 class. They have brought on eight new men that have all achieved great success in their previous years. This 2012 recruiting class has earned national acclaim, with a No. 2 national ranking from Top Drawer Soccer. Six of the players in the class are ranked on the ESPNHS Class of 2012 150 College Prospects list. At 7pm on August 14th, the Men’s soccer team will hold a home exhibition match versus St. John’s. Virginia opens the season Aug. 24 at the Maryland SoccerPlex when it takes on Georgetown in the Big East/ACC Challenge. This game will be the first scrimmage between the two teams since the 1997 season.
Field Hockey
With five of these cavaliers having competed in the U.S. National Championship, and two in London in the Olympics, Virginia’s Field Hockey team has always been known to be one of the top ranked teams in the country. Virginia head coach, Michele Madison speaks on their change in recruiting class size for their 2012 season: “It will be the first year where we haven’t had a big freshman class. More importantly, returning 18 letterwinners and two national team players bring excitement to the possibilities.” The Cavaliers open the season Aug. 21 with an exhibition game against the United States Under-21 National Team in College Park, Md. Their first home game will take place August 31st vs Towson at 3 p.m.!
Men’s and Women’s Cross Country
With Bryan Fetzer named UVA’s Director of Track and Field/ Cross Country and Pete Watson and Todd Morgan as the new Men’s and Women’s Head Cross Country Coaches, fans and players are both excited for what they can bring! Combined, Morgan and Watson have helped guide two national champion individuals, three NCAA Championship squads, 11 team podium finishes (NCAA top-four) and 34 All-Americans. They announced a few months ago that they have signed three incoming freshman to join the team: Audrey Batzel, Jessica Caldwell and Peyton Chaney. Having racked up much success during their high school years, we are all excited for what they will bring to their new campus! Virginia will begin its season with a dual meet against in-state rival Virginia Tech on Aug. 31 in Blacksburg, Va., on the same course that will be the site of the ACC Championships on Oct. 27.
