As Virginia’s programs sought postseason success elsewhere and students left Grounds for the summer, the practice facilities largely closed their doors.
Now, athletics are already back in full swing. Women’s soccer played its first game Aug. 12, kicking off the 2026-27 season. In 2025-26, a historic season from Virginia football, a return to excellence for men’s and women’s basketball and sustained dominance from several programs raised the bar for Cavalier athletics.
But expectations must be met in reality. Ahead of the new season, three Cavalier Daily writers mull over Virginia’s chances to meet that high bar once again.
What athlete will be worth the price of admission?
Sofie Keppler, Senior Writer: Fourth-year swimmer Claire Curzan is cementing herself as one of collegiate swimming’s all-time greats. She enters her final season with five individual NCAA titles, eight NCAA relay titles and 21 All-American honors priming her to lead Virginia women’s swimming in its pursuit of a seventh-straight National Championship. Curzan is looking to repeat her historic sweep of the backstroke events while chasing the unprecedented 47-second barrier in the 100-yard backstroke.
Cierra Lyles, Senior Writer: After a stellar first-year campaign, second-year outside hitter Reagan Ennist is at the top of her game. Ennist found herself at the top of the leaderboard during her first season, leading the Cavaliers with 383 kills, 3.75 kills per set and 1,071 attacks. Her success earned Ennist AVCA East Coast Region Freshman of the Year and a spot on the ACC All-Freshman Team. This season, Ennist will be a prominent leader on the court and a special talent.
Ben McNiff, Senior Writer: Virginia fans loved J’Mari Taylor last year. After the first few games of the 2026 season, fourth-year transfer running back Jekail Middlebrook will be just as loved. Over the summer, running backs coach Keith Gaither described Middlebrook as a potential All-ACC player and compared him favorably to Taylor. Middlebrook could lead the team in touches and highlight plays — he averaged 5.4 yards-per-carry and 10.3 yards-per-reception last season. The Cavalier offense may well become the Jekail Middlebrook show.
What is one word you would use to describe the state of Virginia Athletics right now?
SK: In a time where college sports have become increasingly chaotic, Virginia Athletics has remained remarkably cohesive across all 27 sports teams, “Cohesive” represents an administration that has focused all its programs toward one goal. Virginia has finished top-five in three of the last four Directors’ Cups for a reason — Cavalier teams are thriving. Because the administration trusts its coaches to align their players with Virginia’s standards, programs have adapted to NCAA change without sacrificing team culture.
CL: If there was one word that encapsulates Virginia’s 27 programs, it would have to be “promise.” Men’s basketball turned itself around under Coach Ryan Odom, making a return to the ACC Championship. Saturdays in Scott Stadium used to be optional — now, they are the hottest tickets in town after a trip to the ACC Championship. Though volleyball struggled last season, the transfers they added significantly increased their potential. Women’s swimming is going for a seventh-consecutive national title. There is so much promise for Virginia Athletics.
BM: “Diversified” is the word for the University’s athletic programs. Certain programs consistently contribute to Virginia’s trophy case — women’s swimming and their six consecutive national titles come to mind — while others remained mired in mediocrity. In the 2025-26 academic year, however, contenders emerged across the athletic department, with the Cavaliers achieving top-10 poll rankings in 18 out of 27 sports. There are few Division I schools around the country that have both the resources and the will to build winning programs in every sport, and Virginia is one of them.
What program is primed to win Virginia’s next national championship?
SK: Despite a first-round NCAA Tournament loss last year, Virginia field hockey has incredible upside this season — especially since first-years scored 14 of the Cavaliers’ 45 goals last year. With three players named to the preseason All-ACC roster, the Cavaliers deserve consideration as a title contender thanks to a mix of young talent and experienced veterans. As long as Virginia can navigate the ever-talented ACC and find offensive consistency, this squad’s depth elevates its ceiling as high as any team in the country.
CL: Women’s swimming is primed to win their seventh consecutive national championship. Over the past decade, Coach Todd DeSorbo and his staff have put together an elite squad of swimmers. As Sofie mentioned, Curzan is a decorated world swimmer, appearing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics alongside third-year swimmer Katie Grimes. Second-year swimmer Sara Curtis spent her summer setting world records on team Italy. These three, in addition to the Cavaliers’ plethora of talent, will keep the national championship in Charlottesville.
BM: Men’s basketball has as good a chance as any program in the country to cut down the nets this season. National media is optimistic of the team’s chances — Jon Rothstein, host of CBS’ Inside College Basketball, has Virginia consistently in the top 10 of his preseason rankings — and for good reason. With most of the contributors from the previous year’s Top-20 squad returning, the Cavaliers are in prime position to contend for an ACC Championship and a top-three seed in the NCAA Tournament.
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