Winter may not officially end for another month, but the spring season for the Virginia softball team gets underway this weekend. As Virginia heads south to Raleigh for the UNC Triangle Classic and takes on Ohio and UNC-Greensboro, the women in orange and blue are optimistic of their team's potential to improve on last year's successes.
Finishing the 2001 season at 52-17, the Cavaliers set a school single-season wins record and handed fifth-year head coach Cheryl Sprangel her 600th career victory. Virginia went 4-4 in the ACC and 5-5 in Southern Atlantic Softball Alliance play.
In the ACC preseason poll for the 2002 season, Virginia finds itself sitting third in the pecking order, behind the Seminoles of Florida State and the Tar Heels of North Carolina. Virginia dropped last year's three meetings against UNC and its one square-off against the Noles. Consequently one of Virginia's major goals this year is finding a successful strategy to overcome its two biggest ACC rivals.
"As far as the ACC goes, FSU and UNC have always posed the biggest threats to us in the past," senior pitcher Kristen Dennis said. "We're really looking to coming up big against them this year."
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Excluding Virginia's four freshmen, the Cavalier lineup understands from personal experience the importance of the rivalries. Virginia returns all of last season's lineup with the exception of outfielder Meaghan Young. The experience of the squad should prove advantageous in competition.
"Last year, we had a large first year class," Dennis said. "We've all been through a season together now. We have more experience under our belts and we can use that to our advantage. We also have a lot more senior leadership, with four seniors, instead of last year's one. I think that's a great balance to have between the young and the old."
Dennis, the Cavaliers' top woman on the mound and one of the team's three captains, received accolades last year to the tune of spots on the All-American second team and the All-ACC team. She currently is the career leader for Virginia in home runs, RBIs and walks. In her final collegiate season, Dennis should prove essential as a team leader on and off the field.
Ruby Rojas, the Cavaliers' junior third baseman, promises to be another player likely to play a prominent role on the team. Also a member of last season's All-ACC team, Rojas led the Cavaliers with a .401 batting average. She, like Dennis, cites the team's experience and depth as strengths on which the Cavaliers can build.
"This year, we have a lot more depth and variety," Rojas said. "We have more girls who can play different positions."
The Cavaliers have taken advantage of the recent spring-like weather, using the warm afternoons to practice outside. Instead of the batting cage, the Cavaliers have been out under the sun, enjoying the dirt as Sprangel focuses on defensive play, game-like situations and base-running skills.
"Defense has been a big thing," freshman pitcher Valerie Sevilla said. "We probably spend 60 to 65 percent of the time on drills, breaking into infield and outfield."
The four freshmen, including Dennis's younger sister, Lauren, offer additional options for the Cavaliers.
"Our freshman class is awesome," Kristen Dennis said. "They're very diverse and should be able to contribute bits and pieces to the team. They should give us more depth on our lineup."
As the season gets underway Friday, the Cavaliers plan to use the weekend to assess their abilities and discover potential areas in need of attention.
The Spartans of UNC-Greensboro enter the weekend's tournament coming off a season-opening win over Elon, while the Ohio Bobcats face off against the Cavaliers Friday for what will be both teams' first spring appearance.
The Cavaliers appear confident about their chances.
"I think we'll do well," Dennis said. "We're ready to play. We just want to get out there and do our thing"
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