It's move-in weekend in Charlottesville, which means residents can expect Harris Teeter, Wal-Mart, Target, and all of Emmet St. to be overflowing with bright-eyed, bushy-tailed kids. But it also means that Virginia sports is officially back in action. It hasn't been as long of an off-season for Virginia as for lowlies like Duke, Carolina and Maryland, since Virginia's sports season extends well into June, but for Cavaliers fans, it's been all too long. Women's soccer and field hockey have already seen preseason action, but here's a look ahead and what you can expect this weekend.
The No. 7 women's soccer team, who annihilated No. 4 Duke in the preseason 4-1, and who tied James Maidson 1-1 also in the preseason, officially open their season tonight at 7:00 p.m. in Klockner Stadium against our friends from Liberty. Virginia, who returns 10 starters from a team that reached the Round of 16 in the NCAAs last season, should have no problem against the Flames, who have never scored against the Wahoos in the 9-game history of this series. Following this game, the Hoos will take on Colgate on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, the No. 2 men's soccer team opens up preseason play against VCU today in about 2 minutes at 4:00 p.m. in Klockner. I don't think I need to dwell too much on this team, since as we all know, they are the current reigning national champions and have not lost since October of 2009. Following this scrimmage, the Cavs will be back in preseason action on Monday night at 7:00 p.m. as they host VMI.
The Virginia volleyball squad is also in action this weekend, as they will be holding their annual Orange-Blue scrimmage on Saturday in Mem Gym at 3:00 p.m. UVA returns 9 players and for the second year in a row, will have a nationally ranked incoming class. Last year was the first time Virginia's ever had such a highly ranked recruiting class, so you can expect some pretty big things of this program in the upcoming years. Following the scrimmage, they Hoos will be hosting a a 17-and-under clinic at Mem Gym.
For those of you who missed it yesterday, the field hockey team took care of JMU in last night's scrimmage, 3-1. The Hoos outscored the Dukes 15-5. "When they keep it simple and build it up pass by pass," head coach Michele Madison said, "we end up in the circle."
To those of you lucky enough to call Charlottesville home in a day or two, we hope you take advantage of some of this great early-season fun.