In 2024, several Virginia women’s sports programs had high-quality seasons. To name a few examples, softball went 15-9 in ACC play — a significant improvement from a record of 8-16 the year prior. Volleyball also improved its overall record to 21-11 after an 11-17 season in 2023.
On sheer merit alone, though, the greatest achievement for Virginia in 2024 was winning a fourth straight national championship in women’s swimming and diving. In fact, the Cavaliers dominated in the pool all year long — including historic showings on the global stage.
There is a lot to celebrate other than the well-documented victories of the swimming and diving program though. Three Cavalier Daily staff writers share their thoughts on other notable achievements in women’s sports below.
Which program had the best season?
Cierra Lyles, Staff Writer: For me, Coach Steve Swanson’s 2024 women’s soccer program exceeded expectations the most. Virginia started the season with a 10 game winning streak, and over the course of the season, they took down tough opponents such as No. 3 Penn State and rival No. 12 Virginia Tech. Continuing their success, the Cavaliers beat Princeton in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Topping it off, the Cavaliers had six players earn CSC Academic All-District Honors, along with junior forward Maggie Cagle earning All-ACC Honors for the third straight season. In short, it was a remarkable season for women’s soccer.
Eleanor Buchanan, Staff Writer: I would have to say volleyball stood out the most to me. The Cavaliers have had a historic year that included notable upset wins — in straight sets no less — over Miami and No. 16 Florida State which represented just the third win over a ranked opponent in program history. Coach Shannon Wells has spearheaded a program that not only had a winning season but earned a bid to the National Invitational Volleyball Championship, its first appearance in postseason play of any kind since 1999. Coupled with the addition of freshman setter Zoey Dood, an ACC All-Freshman team honoree, Virginia volleyball has a bright future ahead after an incredible season.
Caroline Wulff, Staff Writer: Like Eleanor, I’d have to say that volleyball had the best season. Not only was the team stronger than in previous years, but so was student interest. At the game against No. 1 Pittsburgh, in spite of a hard loss for the Cavaliers, the attendance record at Memorial Gymnasium was broken. The gym was packed to the brim with a line out the door of people waiting to get in well after the game had begun. At another point earlier this year, a whopping 2,892 fans attended Virginia’s match at John Paul Jones Arena. This is a trend I definitely hope to see continue into the 2025 season.
Which star Cavalier stood out the most?
CL: When it comes to standout players, women’s basketball freshman forward Breona Hurd takes the cake. In her first career start for Virginia, Hurd came out the gate scoring 18 points, plus registering two assists and a steal. Since then, success has continued for the freshman, having scored 132 points in the 2024-25 season thus far. Coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton has had nothing but positive words for the young Cavalier, saying time and time again that she loves her versatility and is excited for her future in the program. Although women’s basketball has plenty of their season left, it is clear that Hurd is making a huge impact and is definitely on track for ACC Honors after her freshman debut.
EB: Field hockey senior back Jans Croon really shined this season. She was named First Team All-ACC, as well as the ACC Defensive Player of the Year — the first recipient in Virginia field hockey history. Tuesday, the veteran captain also took home well-deserved Third Team All-American honors to cap off her stellar campaign. Croon tallied an impressive four goals and four assists on the season, two of which came in the NCAA Tournament. Although the season came to a premature end, Croon stood out whether she was making saves on defensive penalty corners or scoring goals in the circle. It’s hard to imagine Virginia field hockey without her.
CW: Cross country senior Margot Appleton was such a standout this season. She came back from an injury that kept her out until the ACC Championships, but she managed to nab seventh place in a competitive field. Then she took fifth in Southeast Regionals and 18th overall at the NCAA Championships, a huge shift from her 51st place finish in the prior year. I’d be remiss to not mention her indoor season debut in a meet at Boston University in the 5k where she shattered the program record she had set by 11 seconds. For a distance runner, that’s an insane drop — especially coming off of an intense cross country season.
Which program are you most excited about heading into 2025?
CL: If the 2024 season was any indicator, Virginia softball’s 2025 season is bound to be one for the ages. After losing 16 ACC games in 2023, Coach Joanna Hardin turned the team around — producing a 15-9 ACC record. With junior pitcher Eden Bigham still on the bump after a 2.44 ERA through 149.1 innings last season, and senior utility player Sarah Coon back to cause terror at the plate, the Cavaliers will be picking up right where they left off. Additionally, Virginia added the depth of three freshman top 50 recruits — infielder Alex Call, catcher Reagan Hickey and pitcher Ava Hodges. With this roster, I am excited for a potential Oklahoma City outing.
EB: I’m pumped for field hockey, especially because of the powerhouse recruiting class set to arrive in Charlottesville next fall. All eight recruits ranked within the Max Field Hockey Top 100, all but one ranked within the Top 50 and three come from the Top 10 in what is arguably the strongest recruiting class in the entire country. Virginia field hockey is going to be a lot of fun when August rolls around, especially with the addition of incoming freshmen midfielders Caroline Raynes and Isabella Moore, plus forward Riley Savage. Armed with powerful reverse chips and lightning-quick shots, they are sure to be a problem for opposing defenses next year, and I can’t wait to watch them in action.
CW: I think that this indoor track season will be one to watch, not only for the women but for the overall team. The distance crew performed very well at the Sharon Colyear-Danville Opener at Boston University with school records on both sides. In addition to Appleton, senior Jenny Schilling is another Cavalier to keep an eye on. She just dropped 25 seconds in the 5k at Boston University, so I’m excited to see where she and the rest of the team go from here. Sophomore Tatum David had a great first collegiate cross country season, being the third Virginia runner to place at NCAAs — behind Appleton and Schilling — so I hope to see her continue this progress into the indoor and outdoor seasons ahead.
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