Throughout the 50-plus year history of Virginia women’s swimming and diving, select Cavaliers have earned a bevy of notable accolades. One feat, however, has been accomplished just once — the title of a First Team All-American diver.
That was earned by senior diver Elizabeth Kaye for her stellar 2023-24 season. That season, of course, culminated in a fourth consecutive national championship for Virginia — and there is good reason to believe that this year could end with celebration as well, with Kaye consistently racking up points for the Cavaliers.
Kaye’s long and winding journey to becoming a star diver has been marked by resiliency and determination. Now in the waning months of her senior campaign, she is looking to raise the expectations for Cavalier divers.
“I would love to have a ring on all five of my fingers walking around,” Kaye said in an interview with The Cavalier Daily. “I think our team is going to be absolutely dominant. I really do, and hopefully diving plays in with that as well on my behalf.”
Kaye aims to be a crucial part of Virginia’s dynasty, but has seldom seen the spotlight. The headliners of the program have been the crop of Olympic heroes, or stars who swim in several events.
“I remember I had a conversation with, I think it was my mom, and I was like, ‘All I want is to prove that I'm a valuable member of this team,’” Kaye said. “I always felt as if I was able to prove myself, but being on such a swimming, dominant team, it's hard to do that, because you don't always get the recognition.”
In concept, the discrepancy in star status makes sense. Diving makes up a very small fraction of the total events in an NCAA meet. But for a team like the Cavaliers that has championship expectations, every point matters.
And because every point matters, stoking a competitive fire is important for this Virginia squad. A hunger for success has been with Kaye throughout her whole life, dating back to her early childhood. Kaye is the youngest in her family and has two older brothers. Of course, that dynamic resulted in competition. In fact, her parents frequently encouraged friendly competition.
At just three years old, Kaye competed in the pool for the first time as a swimmer. Over the next 10 years, she dabbled in swimming, soccer, gymnastics, volleyball, track and cross country. But in 2016, one sport began to stand out — diving. Kaye grew up in Atlanta, near Georgia Tech, and would swim at their facilities. In the seventh grade, she found her top sport.
“I looked over at the diving well, and I was like, ‘They look like they're having so much fun,’” Kaye said. “I had a few friends that did it, but I didn't really know much about it. And I just remember one day I came home from swimming, and I was like, ‘Mom, like, I need to try that…’ I was like, I think I can be good at that. That's what I can do.”
Kaye put together a dazzling high school career, highlighted by earning a spot on the High School All-American team four times. During her junior year of high school, she signed with Virginia — joining a star-studded 2021 high school class that included swimmers Gretchen Walsh, Reilly Tiltmann and Ella Bathurst.
Under Coach Drew Livingston, Kaye turned in a solid freshman campaign — earning second place in the 3-meter competition at the NCAA Zone A meet. That offseason, Livingston left the program. Kaye then had her second coach in as many seasons, Josh Arndt.
Kaye spent two seasons with Arndt — including last year’s All-American season. But once again, Kaye eventually had to deal with change. Arndt left for Notre Dame earlier this year, subsequently leaving the Cavaliers to have a third coach in just four years.
“I mean, [Arndt] just knew how to coach me well, and we also had a friendship on top of that,” Kaye said. “Having him leave and somebody new [Interim Coach Jack Giglio] coming in after the season that already started was just honestly a horrible start to a season.”
The 2024-25 season was supposed to be Kaye’s triumphant swan song, one last ride after her All-American campaign, and losing her coach could have derailed it. In fact, Kaye considered sitting out.
“I had the opportunity to redshirt, but I decided not to,” Kaye said. “It's my last year. I didn't want to leave here ever, I just wanted to push through.”
It has turned out that Kaye is having her triumphant finale after all. First, she won every diving event at the Tennessee Invite. She followed that up by winning the 1-meter and 3-meter versus Virginia Tech on Senior Day. Kaye also set a program record in the 1-meter with a score of 338.60 at the Eddie Reese Texas Showdown.
“I've always just wanted to be seen as a valuable member of this team,” Kaye said. “And I think finally getting to that point and not proving myself, but helping the team, like actually earning points for the team was such an accomplishment, and it just made me so happy to feel as if I was contributing to them, because it hasn't ever been like that in the past.”
Entering the postseason, Kaye has undoubtedly been a valuable contributor. Heading into the ACC Championships — which begin Tuesday in Greensboro, N.C. — Kaye has momentum on her side. Looking a step further, the National Championships begin Mar. 19. Above all else, earning championship banner No. 5 is the expectation for the swimming and diving team
“Our team will be unstoppable,” Kaye said. “And I truly believe that because we have some of the best athletes on it, and some of the best people as well.”
The next few weeks will be the proverbial last dance. One last postseason for the Class of 2025. One last chance for Kaye to make program history. Ultimately, one last chance to etch a permanent legacy into the storied chapters of Virginia swimming and diving.
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