Not too many people would have wanted to be in Jim Hobgood’s shoes on a December afternoon in Puerto Rico nearly two years ago.

The Virginia women’s soccer team is officially clicking on all cylinders.

Louisa, who is 4-1 and has already surpassed its win total from a year ago, hopes the trend continues against district foe Monticello tonight.

“I got burnt a lot last year,” Khiry Washington said. “But you learn from that because that causes losses — you’ve just got to stay deep.”

With the Terrapins’ offense reeling at a Virginia-like clip at Clemson, one play ignited the stagnant attack in an instant.

“Early on in training camp, he had hip flexor issues,” said Virginia coach Al Groh. “Maurice had a great summer. He was clearly very dedicated to making this a great season for himself and then he ended with hip flexor problems.

Coming out of Lower Dauphin High School in Elizabethtown, Pa., Lauren Alwine was an All-American in field hockey and soccer. As one would expect, she was recruited in both sports by a number of the top college programs.

CBS Outdoor and Virginia Sports Properties, the multi-media rights partner of the University of Virginia athletics department, announced Wednesday that former UVa point guard Cory Alexander will serve as analyst with play-by-play announcer Dave Koehn on Virginia broadcasts during the 2008-09 men’s basketball season.

Scattershooting around the ACC, while noting that the Maryland vs. Virginia rivalry has developed into one of the league’s best over the past couple of seasons…

Scattershooting around the ACC, while noting that the Maryland vs. Virginia rivalry has developed into one of the league’s best over the past couple of seasons…

Virginia’s radio crew for men’s basketball this season will have a completely new look. Courtney Alexander, who played basketball at UVa and in the NBA, has been hired to replace long-time announcer Jim Hobgood. 

As it turns out Ragland surpassed the old record over the summer, when most volleyball teams were going through preseason workouts before practice started in August. That’s when the Virginia High School League made a simple correction to former record-holder Lillie Moore’s win total from 415 to 372 victories, immediately vaulting Ragland, the state’s active leader, into the top spot all-time.

With turmoil swirling around Groh after the Cavaliers’ 1-3 start, fans are looking for reasons as to why the program is struggling in the coach’s eighth year on the job.

“I don’t think about my future,” he said. “I just think about the next game.”

Last week at the Birdwood Golf course, Albemarle’s squad wrapped up its sixth consecutive district crown with a four-stroke victory over Colonial Forge.

For the seventh year in a row, Western Albemarle walked away with the Jefferson District tournament title on Tuesday afternoon at Meadowcreek Golf Course. The Warriors’ top player, Patrick Leisure, fought off Monticello’s Kevin Archer in a playoff to win the individual crown.

In a wide-open Jefferson District, the William Monroe volleyball team is establishing themselves as one of the top programs this year.

Bryan Stinnie’s hopes of playing college ball are a reality as he has accepted an offer from William and Mary.

Graham racked up a team-high 82 rushing yards on 14 carries and ran for two scores in the 44-13 win over Orange County. So far this year, he has rushed for 155 yards and five TDs.

St. Anne’s finished the job it started three days ago by defeating its longtime rival 27-16.

Having the nation’s second-best recruiting class, as ranked by one national service, has that type of impact on a coach.

With one purpose in mind, Virginia tight end John Phillips jogged off the field at Wallace Wade Stadium the instant that he witnessed the final second tick off Wallace Wade Stadium’s clock.

Thanks to 28 second-half points, Duke pulled away to blast Virginia, 31-3, at Wallace Wade Stadium, giving the Blue Devils their first ACC win since Nov. 13, 2004 and their most lopsided league win in 18 years.
UVa vs. Duke forum thread.

Thrust into the starting role a couple of weeks ago after regular starter Peter Lalich was booted from the program, Verica was roughed up by Duke’s aggressive defense in a 31-3 loss at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Virginia’s football season threatened to burst at the seams on Saturday when the Cavaliers committed the ACC’s version of the unforgivable sin. They lost to Duke.

Virginia coach Al Groh said he did not want to risk playing Peerman, who was listed with a leg injury on the team’s injury report on Thursday.

China Crosby, who is from Manhattan, N.Y., and rated as the nation’s second-best point guard in the Class of 2009, verbally committed Saturday to Virginia during an official visit, her coach confirmed.

Turnovers, penalties, rain and mud. This year’s installment of Woodberry Forest against Fork Union was a shining example of old-time football.

Couldn’t travel to Durham? Follow the Cavs as they try to improve their record against the Blue Devils. 

A roundup of Friday’s rain-soaked action.