At the end of the 2005 season, after eight years at the helm of the University of Virginia softball program, Cheryl Sprangel resigned from the position of head coach after collecting the most wins in Virginia softball history.
Looking for someone to fill her shoes, athletic director Craig Littlepage undertook the job of revamping the coaching staff, just weeks after doing the same for the basketball team.
Littlepage's answer was Karen Johns.
Carie Dever-Boaz and Iyhia McMichael were then added as assistants.
The feedback from the softball team has been overwhelming approval of Littlepage's decision.
"[The new staff] has been phenomenal," junior Amy McKean said. "There's a renewed love in the game and a more positive atmosphere."
The glamor seems to have returned to the Virginia softball team. The players are rejuvenated mentally and a new sense of adventure has overcome the team.
"I'm excited because everyone comes to practice and learns something new," senior Erin Horn said. "They're completely dedicated to what they do. It's great."
Johns comes to Charlottesville after five years and almost 200 wins at the University of Florida. Carie Dever-Boaz coached eight seasons at the University of Arkansas, reaching the NCAA tournament twice, and was named 1999 SEC coach of the year. Iyhia McMichael brings youth and enthusiasm to the program. Recently with the Akron Racers, McMichael was a two-time all-star, 2004 player of the year and she helped lead her team to the 2005 National Pro Fastpitch championship.
With ACC play beginning this past weekend, the coaching staff sees a bright future for the Cavaliers. They see a team strong in offense, defense and pitching that is capable of making huge strides this season, after finishing 31-32 in 2005.
"We have 16 girls who can do something for us," Dever-Boaz said. "There isn't one person who can win or lose the game for us."
The team has thrived on the unity developed this season, and they see all their efforts in the perspective of the entire team. The morale couldn't be higher, and no one hesitates to look to the coaches.
"I am absolutely ecstatic about the coaching staff we have now," junior Michelle Salmiery said. "It's been a completely positive change. You can see an improvement in every player."
With only three ACC games played, the Cavaliers see the season as having just begun, and there are still plenty of improvements to be made, something demonstrated when Virginia lost two out of three to Virginia Tech.
"Every game is an opportunity to prepare longer so that we can be successful all season," Salmiery said.
Virginia Tech's squad, often described as a one-woman show, sits in stark contrast to the Cavaliers. That woman, Angela Tincher, threw a no-hitter Saturday in a 4-1 victory for the Cavaliers, racking up 18 strikeouts. In 13 innings pitched over the weekend, Tincher allowed only one hit and three runs, improving her record to 10-2 and her conference-best ERA to 0.62.
The Cavaliers travel to Atlanta this weekend for three games Saturday and Sunday against Georgia Tech, currently first place in the ACC with a 25-6 record.
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