With the 2006 season wrapping up for the Virginia softball team, 18 players are looking back on a season that began with a new coaching staff and progressed with excitement. More importantly, the Cavaliers are looking to the ACC Tournament and ending a developing season with a bang.
All but four of the Cavaliers will be looking to next season when 2006 comes to a close.
Seniors Jackie Greer, Erin Horn, Sara Larquier and Jessica Taylor will instead be looking toward the next chapter of their lives as they graduate from the University of Virginia, having left their mark on Virginia softball. Each has had her individual influence as a player, as a captain and as a leader off the field.
Jackie Greer, a tremendous defensive player, has started at both center field and right field in her career. In 2003 she was selected to the ACC Academic Honor Roll.
"Graduating from the School of Commerce and finishing in the top ten in her graduating class is nothing short of spectacular," coach Karen Johns said.
Johns also praised Greer for her steadfast commitment to Virginia softball.
Greer "had had to battle adversity throughout her whole softball career here at U.Va. and has remained steady and consistent with her daily approach all year," Johns said.
Greer emphasized the impact Virginia softball has had on her life and the experiences she will never forget.
"I cherish the friendships and the memories. I couldn't have picked a better group of girls to play with," Greer said.
Erin Horn, a four-year pitcher for the Cavaliers, has posted a 1.91 ERA this season, the best of her career. She also took left field this season for the first time to help the team compensate while another player was injured. She leads the Cavaliers with 110 innings pitched this season.
"Erin has transformed her game through hard work and dedication," Johns said. "She has very good athletic ability and, through her commitment to doing things the right way everyday, she has emerged as one of the best pitchers and players in the ACC."
Horn hopes to return next year as a volunteer assistant to the team. Looking back on this season, she still sees room for improvement.
"All in all, it's been a lot of fun, but you wish you could've done better," Horn said.
Sara Larquier, who has split time between third base and shortstop, will advance to professional softball next season with the Akron Racers. She is an All-American, was 2005 ACC player of the year and has broken numerous records at Virginia and in the ACC. She will leave the program as one of its most successful players of all time.
"Sara has battled through adversity and has provided our program with the passion that is needed to play at this level," Johns said. "She has left her mark on the program in the record books and will always be mentioned when people talk about the Virginia softball program."
Larquier emphasized how much she will miss her entire college experience and how much the University has meant to her.
"I've enjoyed my career here, and I've enjoyed being a student-athlete," she said. "I love the University of Virginia. It was the perfect place for me to go to college and compete in softball."
Centerfielder Jessica Taylor, an All-ACC player, has consistently posted high batting averages and has been a reliable top-of-the-lineup contact hitter. Throughout the year, she has proven to be quick and strong and has been adept at slapping the ball, while helping her team with triples and stolen bases.
"Jessica is the true example of a Virginia student-athlete," Johns said. "Her passion and love for the University of Virginia and the softball program is unmatched. Her leadership will be greatly missed when she leaves."
Just like her fellow seniors, Taylor doesn't know what her life would be like without the softball program or her teammates.
"I couldn't have imagined not doing it," Taylor said. "Softball has been my life, I couldn't see myself not playing."
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