Softball
What: Virginia vs. North Carolina
Where: Chapel Hill, N.C.
When: Friday-Sunday
The Skinny: The Virginia softball team looks to snap a six-game losing streak with a series against North Carolina this weekend.
The Cavaliers (11-22, 2-10 ACC) are in the midst of a stretch of road games, which began Tuesday night with two losses in a doubleheader against Longwood. Over the course of the two games, the Cavaliers managed to score only one run, but did display positive signs from the pitching mound.
The Cavaliers have yet to win an ACC series, and have been swept in their two most recent conference matchups against Florida State and North Carolina State.
Junior pitcher and outfielder Allison Davis leads Virginia in hitting with a batting average of .348 and 39 hits.
Meanwhile, the Tar Heels (27-8, 7-2 ACC) currently sit in third place in ACC standings. On offense North Carolina is fronted by senior pitcher Kendra Lynch, who leads the league in both home runs and runs batted in, with 14 homers and 44 RBIs. Sophomore outfielder Leah Murray has also been big for the Tar Heels, and is currently in first place in the ACC for most hits by a player.
The two teams will first face off Friday night at 7 p.m., and then will have 1 p.m. games Saturday and Sunday.
— compiled by Emma D’arpino
Women’s Tennis
What: Virginia vs. Wake Forest
Where: Winston-Salem, N.C.
When: Friday
The Skinny: The Virginia women’s tennis team will take the court against conference opponent Wake Forest Friday. Virginia (7-7, 5-2 ACC) is looking to get back on track after suffering two road losses to Duke and North Carolina last weekend — its first losses in the conference. Freshman Rosie Johanson in particular will be looking to bounce back after enduring a rare loss last weekend to North Carolina freshman Sara Daavettila.
This is Virginia’s only match this weekend, and their last match before they go on the road to play five straight away matches. The Cavaliers are 4-3 at home, and will look to utilize the home-court advantage to top the Demon Deacons.
Wake Forest (13-5, 3-3 ACC) ended an eight-game winning streak March 3 and since then have gone 2-3. Led by senior Kimmy Guerin and sophomore Emma Davis, the Demon Deacons are a strong team that will look to keep the Cavaliers on their slump. Guerin is coming off a great weekend with wins over NC State senior Martina Frantova and East Carolina sophomore Celia Ruiz.
The match marks Virginia’s first home outdoor match of the season — they take the court at 3:30 p.m. at Snyder Tennis Courts. Their next contest comes the following weekend at Clemson.
— compiled by Evan Davis
Women’s Rowing
What: Pac-12 Invitational
Where: Redwood Shores, Calif.
When: Saturday-Sunday
The Skinny: The No. 7 Virginia women’s rowing team travels across the country this weekend to compete in the Pac-12 Invitational against other top ranked teams including No. 1 California-Berkeley and No. 3 Michigan.
This is the Cavaliers’ second event of the spring season. Three weeks ago, they dominated in the Oak Ridge Cardinal Invitational, winning a total of 14 races at the two-day event in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Though they did not compete in the Pac-12 Invitational last year, Virginia had a strong showing in 2015, notching 10 of 12 dual race wins.
This invitational marks a significant opportunity for the Cavaliers to make a statement on their NCAA title hopes, as they face off against several other top 10 nationally ranked teams.
Results and live updates for this weekend’s action will be available starting Saturday afternoon on twitter via @Pac12Challenge.
— compiled by Nick Dugan
Women’s Lacrosse
What: Virginia vs. Boston College
Where: Chestnut Hill, Mass.
When: Saturday
The Skinny: After a dominant display against the Oregon Ducks Wednesday, Virginia (7-4, 2-2 ACC) will look to improve their 2-2 ACC record as they resume conference play and travel to Chestnut Hill, Mass. to face off against the Eagles.
No.17 Virginia enters this match with their heads held high. With five consecutive wins thanks to solid fundamentals, better play as a team and utilization of Virginia’s speed at midfield, Virginia will have to continue to play at this high level as they challenge the Eagles on their home field.
The Boston College Eagles (9-4, ACC 1-3) are coming off a solid 19-12 win over a very talented Yale squad. Overall, the Eagles displayed that they know how to move the ball and create scoring opportunities, seen through their 12 of 13 clears and 30 shots on goal. Among the Eagles, junior attacker Kate Weeks put on an impressive offensive display, totaling five goals in the game.
Most concerning for Virginia is that the Eagles are 5-0 when playing at Newton, Mass. While at home, Boston College has been able to defeat the likes of Harvard, No. 15 Louisville and local rival Boston University. It remains to be seen however if this streak will remain given Virginia’s recent successes.
The Cavaliers and the Eagles will square off at 1 p.m. Saturday.
— compiled by John Garza
Women’s Golf
What: Bryan National Collegiate
Where: Browns Summitt, N.C.
When: Friday-Sunday
The Skinny: The Virginia women’s golf team will compete this weekend in the Bryan National Collegiate in Browns Summitt, N.C. With the ACC Championships beginning April 13, the Bryan National Collegiate is a big opportunity for the Cavaliers to gain momentum before heading into postseason play.
Virginia has historically performed exceptionally in this tournament — the Cavaliers have finished in first place in the Bryan National Collegiate the past two years. However, a loaded 18-team tournament field will make it difficult for Virginia to again repeat as champions. Notable competitors include Alabama and Wake Forest — ranked No. 3 and No. 12 in the country, respectively — based on Golfweek’s rankings.
The players to watch this weekend for the Cavaliers are senior captain Lauren Diaz-Yi and sophomore Anna Redding. In last year’s Bryan National Collegiate, Diaz-Yi and Redding each individually tied for eighth place out of 84 golfers with scores of 224 (8-over).
Virginia is slotted to tee off Friday morning at 9:15 a.m. However, the weather forecasts in Browns Summitt, N.C. currently predict that thunderstorms are likely Friday morning and may continue into the afternoon. Check the Virginia women’s golf team twitter for the latest tournament schedule updates.
— compiled by Jack Gallagher
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