Thanksgiving approaches — the leaves have fallen en masse, the air has cooled and the Cavaliers are making their mark on the national stage. 2024 has been a rollercoaster of a year from a national title in women’s swimming and diving to an up-and-down football season, but one thing is for certain — there have been plenty of moments throughout Virginia Athletics that fans are grateful for.
In reflecting upon this eventful year, three Cavalier Daily staff writers sit down at a hypothetical Thanksgiving table to share their thoughts.
It’s turkey season. Which 2024 victory over Virginia Tech has been your favorite?
Stephen O’Dea, Staff Writer: The Cavaliers’ 3-0 victory in volleyball Nov. 8 has been the highlight of the rivalry this year. From the first point, Virginia had its way with an inferior Hokies squad. What made the win even sweeter was that it was a complete drubbing in front of a Blacksburg crowd. There have been a lot of great wins so far this year, but none of them have been nearly as decisive as this one.
Eleanor Lynch, Staff Writer: The best win has to be in women’s lacrosse, who pulled out a gritty 14-12 victory April 17. It was a close, hard-fought game with both teams trading goals until Virginia pulled ahead for good in the final minutes. The Cavalier defense held strong under pressure while the offense rose to the occasion down the stretch. The intensity and resilience the team showed throughout four quarters that day made it a memorable victory and a defining moment in their season.
Theo Moll, Staff Writer: Men’s soccer’s Oct. 4 defeat of the Hokies stands out. The Cavaliers, ranked No. 13 before the season, had gone six straight games without a win and fallen out of the top 25. At just 2-4-3, they were skidding and deeply in need of a spark. After eking out a 2-1 win over No. 19 Virginia Tech at Klöckner Stadium, Virginia was certainly ignited — from that contest on, the Cavaliers would go 4-1 against ranked opponents, essentially rescuing a season which was close to slipping away.
Which Cavalier coach are you most thankful for?
SO: I am thankful for Interim Coach Ron Sanchez of the men’s basketball program. It is no easy task to fill the shoes of an all-time great coach like Tony Bennett, so Sanchez should be commended for taking on that responsibility. There is no doubt that growing pains will come to pass at some point this season, but I think that it is important that fans refrain from throwing any undue criticism at a young coach who is facing perhaps the toughest entry situation in college basketball. We should all be thankful to Sanchez that the Cavaliers are staying afloat — and even thriving — after Tony Bennett’s surprise retirement.
EL: I’m especially thankful for Coach Ole Keusgen, who has revitalized the field hockey team with a fresh energy and strategic approach in his first season. His leadership brought immediate impact, evidenced by a nine-game winning streak to start the year. Keusgen’s extensive experience and focus on teamwork have quickly built a cohesive unit that has competed strongly against top programs all the way up to their overtime defeat in the NCAA quarterfinals. Keusgen has given Cavalier fans a lot to look forward to for next year and beyond.
TM: Swimming and diving Coach Todd DeSorbo has brought more success to the program than anyone could have imagined. In six years, he has taken a relatively successful Cavalier swim team and turned it into a buzzsaw, mowing down anything and everything in its way. Prior to DeSorbo, Virginia swimming had never won a national championship. DeSorbo brought number one, number two, number three and number four while also coaching a few Cavaliers at the Paris Olympics. With top 2025 recruits Thomas Heilman and Maximus Williamson, DeSorbo may soon replicate that success on the men’s side.
Plenty of Virginia athletes have stood out this season, but who has feasted the most?
SO: It may be Thanksgiving, but Malachi Fields’ production on the gridiron so far this year really harkens back to Halloween. The senior wide receiver has feasted on the souls of any defense that dares to confront him. He currently sits third in receiving yards in the ACC, and he has shown no signs of slowing down. Inheriting massive shoes to fill from a recent receiver lineage that puts most schools to shame, Fields has done more than enough to carry the load and has become the catalyst for the Cavalier offense.
EL: Senior swimmer Gretchen Walsh has undoubtedly been feasting in the pool this year, both in Charlottesville and abroad. She now has multiple NCAA, Olympic and American records under her belt, proving that Walsh is one of the best swimmers in the world. Her performances are a clear testament to her work ethic and dedication — successes which have elevated Virginia’s reputation in collegiate athletics and added an electric feel to every meet in which she competes. Walsh is truly in a league of her own.
TM: Senior outside hitter Elayna Duprey has been key to the volleyball program’s historic improvement this year. This is Duprey’s first and only season in a Cavalier uniform, having spent the past three years at Virginia Tech. It feels as if she has spent several years in Charlottesville though, as Duprey leads all Virginia players in kills. Her elite play has earned her distinction, as she has been recognized on multiple all-tournament teams and received a tournament Co-MVP honor in what is already Virginia volleyball’s winningest season since 2006.
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