UVa SPORTS

Charlottesville Daily Progress
Published: September 6, 2007

Football

Whether or not Al Groh called it a rebuilding year remains debatable.

Regardless, that was exactly what Virginia's football coach endured in a 5-7 season in 2006 that saw the Cavaliers finish 4-4 in the ACC.

Virginia stumbled out of the gate, losing five of its first seven games, and used three quarterbacks before eventually settling on redshirt freshman Jameel Sewell.

During the final five weeks of the season, improvements were obvious - UVa won its final three games at Scott Stadium. But a season-ending loss at Virginia Tech erased any postseason chances for the first time since 2001.

Four of Virginia's players earned All-ACC honors - cornerback Marcus Hamilton and defensive end Chris Long were second-team selections and guard Branden Albert and wide receiver Kevin Ogletree earned honorable-mention status.

Virginia opens it 2007 schedule at Wyoming on Sept. 1. The Cavaliers' home schedule includes dates with Duke (Sept. 8), Georgia Tech (Sept. 22), Pittsburgh (Sept. 29), Connecticut (Oct. 13), Wake Forest (Nov. 3) and Virginia Tech (Nov. 24).

Women's soccer

In 2006, the Cavaliers were able to put a so-so regular season behind them and make some noise in the NCAA Tournament. Virginia (12-8-2) knocked off two top-10 caliber teams in West Virginia and Wake Forest before losing on the road at Texas A&M, 2-1, in the Round of 16.

This season, UVa returns leading scorer Jess Rostedt. The junior had nine goals and three assists last fall.

Virginia coach Steve Swanson has taken the Cavs to the NCAA Tournament in each of his seven seasons at the helm, but the team has never advanced past the quarterfinals.

Men's soccer

The Cavaliers made it to the 2006 College Cup - soccer's version of the NCAA basketball Final Four - for the first time in nine years.

Virginia (12-5-3) wound up losing to UCLA, 4-0, in the semifinals.

UVa has lost several key players from that squad. Nico Colaluca, Bakary Soumare and Adam Cristman are all now on MLS rosters.

However, talented sophomore Jonathan Villanueva is back in the fold. In addition, coach George Gelnovatch has reeled in one of his best recruiting classes in recent memory.

Men's basketball

The Cavaliers shocked the college basketball world by winning a share of the ACC title last season. Virginia, led by conference Coach of the Year Dave Leitao, lost just one game in the John Paul Jones Arena. UVa scored huge upsets over Arizona and Duke en route to making it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Cavs lose guard J.R. Reynolds to graduation, but return First-Team All-ACC point guard Sean Singletary. In the spring, Singletary declared for the NBA Draft, but then decided to return to Charlottesville for his senior season - some very good news for Wahoo fans.

Women's basketball

A season of homecomings from former players and coaches and the first campaign inside John Paul Jones Arena was essentially overshadowed by a second straight trip to the Women's NIT that accompanied a 19-15 record.

The Cavaliers, boasting only two seniors, were plagued by a preseason knee injury to center Aisha Mohammed and the untimely departures of two third-year guards after just two games.

Coach Debbie Ryan's team did manage to win 13 home games and the Cavalier Classic, but finished near the bottom of the ACC after winning just five league games.

Monica Wright, a high school All-American, made a quick impact with the program and was named the ACC's Rookie of Year. Sophomore forward Lyndra Littles was also honored - the team's leading scorer was a second-team All-ACC selection.

Baseball

For the fourth straight year this program advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, the most recent trip mirrored their previous experiences.

After back-to-back wins in the Charlottesville Regional, two consecutive losses to Oregon State, the eventual NCAA Champion, ended a successful season.

Virginia, which won a road series against top-ranked North Carolina early in the year, enjoyed its highest ranking ever in the polls en route to the postseason and came within a game of winning the ACC's Coastal Division regular-season title.

The team finished 45-16 overall and 19-9 in the ACC.

A host of players from the team were honored with individual awards and six Cavaliers were selected in June's MLB draft.

Men's lacrosse

After going undefeated and winning the NCAA championship in 2006, everybody was gunning for the Cavaliers this past season. Virginia had a strong regular season, but was shocked in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by Delaware. This season, coach Dom Starsia returns several key players - including leading scorer Ben Rubeor and sophomore defensive ace Ken Clausen - and should have his team back in the hunt for a national championship. Six members from last year's squad were named to the All-ACC Academic Team.

Women's lacrosse

The Cavaliers had one of their most exciting seasons in recent years. Virginia overcame a nine-goal deficit against Duke in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament to forge the greatest comeback in postseason history.

UVa came up just short of winning a championship when it lost to Northwestern, 15-13, in the NCAA final. Coach Julie Myers' team returns many of her top players, including Blair Weymouth. The Cavs will also have Whit Hagerman back on the field. She missed all of last season with a foot injury.

Men's tennis

After several strong seasons, Virginia broke through in a big way on the national scene this past season. The Cavs set school records by posting a 30-4 mark and finishing with a No. 2 ranking in the nation. They also advanced to the national semifinals, where they lost to eventual champion Georgia.

Individually, junior Somdev Devvarman took home the national singles title after defeating then-No. 1 ranked John Istner of Georgia, 7-6 (7), 4-6, 7-6 (2). Devvarman and teammate Treat Huey advanced to the national semifinals in doubles and finished ranked No. 2 in the nation.

Women's rowing

UVa's varsity four crew claimed its third national title in the last four years this past season, while helping the Cavs to their third national runner-up finish in school history.

Virginia scored 30 points in the Grand Finals, finishing one point behind champion Brown. The Cavs took fifth in the varsity eight final and fourth in the second varsity eight final.

Virginia has won eight consecutive ACC titles and competed in 10 of the last 11 NCAA Championships.