Any team wants to look back on its season with satisfaction, to be able to pinpoint accomplishment and minimize regret. Even though they did not make the ACC tournament finals last weekend, the Virginia softball team (52-17, 5-6 ACC) should still be able to do just that.
Virginia's 2001 spring season turning out to be one of record-breaking moments. The Cavaliers set a new single-season wins record at 43 wins with a 4-0 victory over Elon College on April 18. A day earlier coach Cheryl Sprangel garnered her 600th career win when the Cavaliers defeated Liberty in the day game, 8-4.
"It turned out to be a much better year than I think we anticipated," Sprangel noted. "Especially in the number of wins. We certainly surpassed our expectations there."
In addition to team achievements, individual Cavaliers boasted strong seasons and received recognition for their contributions.
Three players on the squad received All-ACC regular season and All-Region honors. Junior Kristen Dennis - Virginia's top pitcher - notched All-ACC honors for the third consecutive season and stands as career leader for Virginia in home runs, RBIs and walks.
Sophomore third baseman Ruby Rojas, the 2000 ACC rookie of the year, set career highs in all offensive categories this season and led the team entering the ACC tournament with a .405 batting average, the 25th highest in the nation.
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Finally, right fielder Meaghan Young, the sole true senior on the Cavalier lineup, played and started in all 258 games of her four-year career and holds 13 Virginia records. This year, she set single season school records in total bases (129), runs (57), at-bats (231) and hits (88). She also became the first Cavalier and second player in ACC softball history to be named to four consecutive ACC all-tournament teams.
"There were high expectations for Kristen and Meg coming into the season," Sprangel said. "They both really, really came through. As for Ruby, we knew she'd hit well but she really hit great this year."
As a team, Virginia consistently displayed determination when its back was against the wall. The Cavaliers managed to climb out of deficits on several occasions, most notably in four wins against ACC-rivals Georgia
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