Preparing for the start of the spring season has been more challenging than usual for the Virginia softball team, as Charlottesville's recent flurry of bad weather has kept the squad off the diamond. As the season starts this weekend with a three-team, round robin against Elon and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, the Cavaliers are aching to get a taste of the great outdoors.
"The first thing we're looking to do is just get on dirt," coach Eileen Schmidt said. "We've had three-and-a-half weeks of preseason and only been out on the field twice, the most recent time being three weeks ago. We just need to get some dirt under our feet."
The Cavaliers have trained indoors to work on communication and situational awareness - practicing skills that do not necessarily require real dirt. But this weekend's tournament will be the team's first chance to test its play in open air.
"It's a good point to see where we are," senior third baseman Abby Snyder said. "We're there mechanics-wise, and now we've got to put in play what we've been practicing."
Both Elon and UNC Wilmington struggled last season, posting 15-32 and 13-32 records, respectively. But because North Carolina, the home state to both of these teams, has been relatively free from the wintry weather that has plagued the commonwealth recently, the two southern squads hold a slight advantage.
"They've been on a field, so they should be pretty crisp skill-wise," Schmidt said. "They should be a step ahead."
Regardless of this advantage, the Cavaliers will look to improve upon a 2009 campaign during which they went 25-22 but finished with just a 2-15 record in ACC play.
"This season is totally different," senior outfielder and captain Sarah Tacke said. "There's a totally new energy. I think we have all the pieces and I'm really excited to see everything come together."
Those pieces include a revived and formidable pitching staff, which should be one of the Cavaliers' greatest strengths this season. Freshman Melanie Mitchell, the 2009 Washington Post High School Player of the Year, joins veteran senior Nicole Koren and ace sophomore Stephanie Coates to lead the Virginia staff.
"Pitching is a huge part of our game, and our staff this season has the ability to keep us in games for a longer time, which takes the pressure off our offense," Schmidt said.
The Cavaliers even hope this strong pitching will help carry them into the postseason
"Our goal is to win the ACC and go to Regionals," Snyder said. "I think that is very achievable."
Fulfilling those goals starts with setting the tone at this weekend's tournament, which Elon will host. Virginia first takes on UNC Wilmington Saturday at 11 a.m
"We need to keep it simple, keep it focused and have fun," Tacke said. "We have to just enjoy being on a field"
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