“I thought that was maybe as good as Max Stammel’s looked all year,” Coach Chris Pollard said postgame. “The difference-maker was the ability to land the slider and get something going the opposite way.”
The Cavaliers will return to action in May's NCAA Tournament.
The Cavaliers enter the NCAAs with a notably young roster. While their path to the finals remains narrow, the upcoming weeks offer the rising cohort a vital chance to gain experience against the nation’s most elite competition.
“We are all disappointed on how the weekend played out,” Hardin said. “Our execution in multiple phases was inconsistent, however, it’s not for lack of effort or intent by the team and the staff."
Now-empty spots demand to be filled by capable transfers who can fulfill, or exceed, the role vacated by the previous Cavaliers.
This meet showed consistent improvement across both the distance and the thrower contingents, and proved that they will be a strength for Virginia as the team heads into the championship season.
Virginia will next play in May's NCAA Tournament.
“The conversation starts and ends today with Harrison Didawick,” Pollard said. “He’s the heart and soul of this group. He’s unbelievably tough. He played great defense and came up with clutch hits.”
“I couldn’t be any happier with my men, the fight back,” Coach Lars Tiffany said. “And just unfortunately, how that final one went in off the rebound.”
The Cavaliers beat Wake Forest to reach last season's ACC Championship game. This time, the two powerhouses will meet in the final.
The Cavaliers have the opportunity to get a much needed win Sunday at 12:00 p.m. against Clemson to prevent the sweep and gain back some confidence.
The Cavaliers will face the Wolfpack in Sunday's final
“The overall performance in all phases was disappointing tonight,” Hardin said. “I know we’re capable of more than we showed and I know our team believes the same."
The Cavaliers will face No. 24 Notre Dame in the semifinals Saturday.
The Cavaliers had bested Stanford less than two weeks prior, and did so again.
