Cavs have finals history with Cats
By Whitelaw Reid / wreid@dailyprogress.com | 978-7250
May 27, 2007

PHILADELPHIA - About midway through the first half of the Virginia-Duke NCAA semifinal game on Friday night, the entire Northwestern team, which had already advanced to the final, made its way into the Franklin Field stands.

As the players relaxed and ate from box lunches, they watched the Blue Devils take a commanding 8-3 lead into the intermission.

“At the end of the first half, we all assumed we were playing Duke,” said Northwestern senior Kristen Kjellman. “They were up by so much. We thought they had it.”

Less than seven minutes into the second half, the outcome was in even less doubt. Duke increased its lead to 13-4.

But then Virginia went berserk.

The Cavaliers scored 10 straight goals, including a game-winner by senior Jess Wasilewski with nine seconds left, to forge the greatest comeback in NCAA women’s lacrosse Division I history.

“I was discussing it with my husband,” said Northwestern coach Kelly Amonte Hiller. “We were talking about other great comebacks in sports. The only thing that I could think of was the Red Sox against the Yankees a couple of years ago.

“[The Virginia] comeback was unbelievable. You definitely feel for Duke, but it was a great game for Virginia.”

Today, UVa will try to keep the momentum going when it takes on top-seeded Northwestern in the finals.

“I think we’re all really excited, but really tired,” said Virginia coach Julie Myers. “We’re trying to take everything in stride. I think we have to stay focused and not get lost in the moment.”

The third-seeded Cavaliers will be going for their fourth championship and first since 2004. Northwestern will be seeking its third-straight title.

In 2005, the Wildcats defeated Virginia, 13-1, in the title game.

“I think it’s exciting,” Amonte Hiller said. “The first year for the senior class, they lost to Virginia [in the quarterfinals], and now their last game is against Virginia. I think it’s a neat little rivalry. We’re just excited to have the chance to play against such a storied program.”

UVa may have a richer history than Northwestern, but it will come in as the decisive underdog. The Wildcats (20-1) are riding a 20-game winning streak. They haven’t lost since their season opener against North Carolina.

“They’re two-time national champions and have had an unbelievable season,” Wasilewski said. “I think we’ll definitely be the underdog, but I think it’s a good thing because we have nothing to lose.”

A major key for Virginia (19-3) will be the play of goalie Kendall McBrearty. The junior had one of her poorest efforts of the season against Duke.

After giving up a goal early in the second half, McBrearty was briefly replaced by freshman backup Lauren Benner, who surrendered a goal 11 seconds after she entered.

“Plan B was to just let Kendall come off the field [for a break],” said Myers, smiling. “We went right back to Plan A when the shot went in.”

McBrearty, who was the ACC Tournament MVP last month, held the Blue Devils scoreless for the final 20 minutes, 46 seconds.

Northwestern players said they were glad that they got to witness Virginia’s miraculous comeback in person. Watching on film wouldn’t have had the same effect, they said.

“I think it was good for us because we know what Virginia is capable of,” Kjellman said, “and what we need to do if we get up - what we have to do to put a game away.”

Added Northwestern senior Hannah Whitman: “We definitely can’t underestimate them, because even if we get up by a few we know they can come back.”

Amonte Hiller was still pinching herself on Saturday.

“I think everyone in the stands thought the game was in the bag,” she said, referring to Duke’s colossal collapse. “It was such an emotional game and so exciting to watch. I’m sure Virginia is riding really high right now.”

Wasilewski believes UVa can’t rely strictly on that emotion, though.

“At the beginning of [Saturday’s] practice, the celebration was done,” she said, “and it was time to focus on Northwestern.”

Ground balls

Myers kept the team loose in practice by finishing with a game of kickball. … Amonte Hiller is the younger sister of longtime NHL player Tony Amonte. … Somewhat lost in the shuffle of Virginia’s dramatic win on Friday was the play of sophomore Ashley McCulloch, who helped ignite the comeback with good plays on both ends of the field. “I think that was definitely the turning point in the game when the momentum started turning in our favor,” Wasilewski said. … Wasilewski was a sophomore in 2005 when Virginia lost to Northwestern in the final. “We kind of went into that game a little over-confident and not really sure of what kind of team they were,” Wasilewski recalled. “Now we know they’re an outstanding team. We’ll be more prepared.”

 

Kalkstein, Duff filling big roles
By Whitelaw Reid / wreid@dailyprogress.com | 978-7250
May 27, 2007

PHILADELPHIA - On Saturday, Virginia coach Julie Myers walked into the media room at Penn’s Franklin Field with three of her players. There were only about six print journalists sitting in front of a podium - not exactly an intimidating setting - yet it was easy to figure out who the two freshmen were.

Brittany Kalkstein spoke as fast as Carl Lewis used to run. Kaitlin Duff spoke infrequently and very softly.

Kalkstein and Duff, however, have looked like anything but first-years on the field this season.

The freshmen are a major reason why Virginia finds itself in the NCAA championship against Northwestern tonight.

“They came right in and stepped into huge roles for us,” said Virginia senior Jess Wasilewski. “They don’t play like freshmen at all. They play very maturely considering their age. I can’t say enough about them.”

Kalkstein and Duff have been extremely valuable on draw controls. Kalkstein leads the team with 60 and Duff is second with 41.

In Virginia’s miraculous comeback win over Duke on Friday, Kalkstein had a team-high four draw controls.

“It was huge,” Myers said. “[It] gave us a chance to really go to the goal and get more chances when we got the draw back. I think the kids really understood the importance of every draw and made it happen.”

In the win, Duff tied for the team lead with three ground balls.

Myers believes her two freshmen have helped set the tone for the entire squad this season.

“I think the better the first-years do, it’s kind of easier for everyone else to follow suit,” Myers said. “All year long, we’ve made them work hard, so that when they got into a tight game, they were able to find their way through the end.”

At Roland Park High, Kalkstein was a standout in field hockey, basketball and lacrosse en route to being named the Baltimore Sun Athlete of the Year in 2006.

In addition to her prowess on draws, Kalkstein is the team’s third-leading scorer with 42 goals.

Kalkstein says the team’s upperclassmen have played a large role in the success of the younger players.

“We really feed off our upperclassmen,” Kalkstein said. “I don’t feel like there is any division on our team. I think they feed all the emotions and experiences they’ve had onto the first-years.”

Duff, one of the team’s fastest players, has also chipped in on offense with 13 goals and seven assists. Her biggest contribution is when she is able to scoop ground balls and ignite scoring chances in transition. The Bethesda, Md., native leads the team with 45 ground balls.

Both Kalkstein and Duff said the season is going exactly how they envisioned it.

“[Being in the title game] is one of the factors why I came to Virginia in the first place,” Kalkstein said. “I knew that Virginia always has the potential to win a national championship.”

“This is just an awesome experience,” Duff said. “It’s really nice to know that all your hard work pays off, but we’re taking it one step at a time.”

The best part about the freshmen, according to Myers, is that they are battle-tested.

“Whether it was running hills when they didn’t think they could run another step, or playing in a game with a nine-goal deficit, it’s nice to know that they have already been pushed and have been in tough spots,” Myers said.

“Clearly, there hasn’t been a national championship on the line, but it’s nice to know we have that hard work in the bank.”

 

NU coach, players try for a 3-peat
May 27, 2007
BY BRADLEY SCHLEGEL Special to the Sun-Times

 
PHILADELPHIA -- Kelly Amonte Hiller learned resiliency playing basketball against her older brothers. When she beat one of them at 1-on-1, the game got physical.
''They beat me up,'' she said. ''I was pretty good at hoops. They were more hockey guys.''

The girl always picked herself up and never stopped competing. Amonte Hiller has instilled a similar demeanor to the Northwestern women's lacrosse team, which hopes to win its third straight NCAA national championship today (6 p.m., 89.3-FM).

With a win over Virginia at Franklin Field, the Wildcats (20-1) would become the second team to accomplish the feat.

''We're thrilled to have another opportunity to play in a championship game,'' she said after Northwestern defeated Pennsylvania 12-2 in a semifinal Friday.

NU built an 8-0 halftime lead and never was challenged in its 20th straight victory.

Amonte Hiller has coached the Wildcats to 11 straight tournament victories. By stressing fundamentals, she has prepared the Wildcats well enough to go 61-2 over the last three seasons.

''The girls handle themselves unbelievably well under pressure,'' Amonte Hiller said. ''They know they have to have an edge to set themselves apart.''

Amonte Hiller's family always has had a competitive edge. Her older brother Tony paved the way. In 1992, Tony Amonte made his NHL debut with the New York Rangers before spending nine seasons with the Blackhawks.

Three years later, Tony's little sister helped start a seven-year run of lacrosse championships at Maryland.

Amonte Hiller led the Terrapins to consecutive national titles in 1995 and 1996, earning national player of the year honors in both seasons.

''It would be really special for me if this group could win another national title,'' Amonte Hiller said. ''There are so many great leaders on the field.''

The Cavaliers (19-3), who are making their fourth title-game appearance in the last five seasons, are hoping to start fast.

Against Duke, they rallied for the final 10 goals to win 14-13.

''Hopefully we'll get off to a good start,'' Virginia coach Julie Myers said. ''Spotting Northwestern nine goals would not be a good game plan.''

 

Cavaliers to Face Northwestern for NCAA Title
Virginia, `Cats to draw for championship for second time in three years
May 26, 2007

The Virginia women's lacrosse team will face Northwestern on Sunday, May 27 in the NCAA Championships final in a game at 7 pm to be held at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pa. The contest will mark the third time in four years that these two schools have met in the NCAA Championships, and each time the winner of the game has won the national title. The title game will be televised live on CSTV.

In 2004 Virginia defeated Northwestern 15-11 in the NCAA quarterfinals; Virginia went on to win the NCAA title two games later. In 2005, the `Cats defeated Virginia 13-10 to cap an undefeated season and win their first-ever NCAA title. Northwestern also won the 2006 NCAA title and are on an 11-game win streak in the NCAA Championships; the Cavaliers were the last team to defeat Northwestern in NCAA play. Virginia enjoys a 5-2 lead in the series with the `Cats.

The `Hoos are playing in their fourth final in five years; the Class of 2007 has reached the NCAA final in three of their four seasons and have a record of 10-2 in the NCAA Championships. Only 10 classes in history have won 10 games in their careers.

The Cavaliers advanced to the NCAA final by staging the largest comeback in NCAA Division I Championships history. Virginia defeated Duke 14-13 in the semifinals, rallying from down 13-4 with 20 minutes remaining by scoring the final 10 goals of the game. No team had ever won a game after trailing by more than six goals until Virginia did it on Friday night.

Virginia ranks fifth in the nation in scoring defense; the Wildcats lead the nation in scoring offense. The `Hoos are led defensively by Jessy Morgan, Claire Bordley and Jen Holden; these three USA team alumnae anchor one of the toughest defenses in the nation. Virginia's midfield is led by a pair of Philadelphia natives that helped spark the 10-0 run in the semifinal as former high school teammates Megan Havrilla and Jess Wasilewski have helped the Cavaliers rank in the top-10 nationally in scoring margin. In addition, a pair of first-years, Brittany Kalkstein and Kaitlin Duff, lead Virginia in draw controls (Kalkstein) and caused turnovers and ground balls (Duff).

Virginia's offense is led by Kate Breslin, who has 95 points on the season and has notched 18 points in the championships thus far. She ranks no. 4 all-time in NCAA history with 13 goals in a tournament and no. 8 all-time in history with 18 points in a tournament. Breslin's 67 goals are the most-ever for a Virginia fourth-year; she needs four goals to move into the no. 2 spot all-time at Virginia for goals in a season. Teammate Blair Weymouth has 84 points this season; she set the record for points as a second year with her five against Duke and she ranks seventh all-time in Virginia history for points in a season. Teammate Ashley McCulloch has seven assists in the tournament, including four vs Duke; she ranks no. 10 all-time in history with 7 assists in a tournament and no. 3 all-time in history with 4 assists in an NCAA semifinal game. Her 36 assists in 2007 ranks fourth all-time in school history.

 

Cavaliers Reach NCAA Singles and Doubles Semifinals
Devvarman becomes first ACC player to reach NCAA Semifinals twice
May 26, 2007

ATHENS, Ga. - Two members of the Virginia men's tennis team continued their strong play at the NCAA Individual Championships with a pair of wins on quarterfinal Saturday at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex. Junior Somdev Devvarman (Chennai, India) cruised into the semifinals of the singles draw, while Devvarman and fellow junior Treat Huey (Alexandria, Va.) advanced to the doubles semifinals.

Second-seeded Devvarman advanced to the singles semifinals for the second consecutive year, rolling past No. 6 seed Arnau Brugues of Tulsa 6-0, 6-2. Devvarman opened the match strong, taking the first set 6-0, losing just six points in the process. Brugues, who won the ITA All-American Championship title in the fall, tried to mount a comeback in the second set, taking an early 2-0 lead. However, Devvarman regrouped and rolled off six straight games to close out the match, 6-0, 6-2.

"Overall, I thought I played a good match," Devvarman said. "Brugues is a very good player and I felt like I had to play well to beat him. I got off to another strong start today, which has been important. If a match goes three sets, I feel like I'll have my fitness to back me up."

The win was Devvarman's 42nd singles win of the season, extending his school record. The victory was also Devvarman's tenth career NCAA Singles Championship win, setting a new school and ACC record. Former Cavalier Brian Vahaly (98-01) had set the ACC and school career NCAA Singles Tournament win record with nine. Devvarman also becomes the first player in ACC history to reach the NCAA Semifinals twice in his career. Last year, he fell to Benjamin Kohlloeffel of UCLA in the final.

Devvarman and Huey, the No. 2 seed in the doubles draw, downed No. 24 Erling Tveit and Eric Claesson of Mississippi 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals. In the first set, the teams remained on serve through seven games, with the Ole Miss duo leading 4-3. The Rebels went up 15-40 on Devvarman's serve, but the Cavalier team fought off the two break points against and held to draw even, 4-4. Devvarman and Huey used that momentum to break Tveit's serve in the next game and Huey held serve to close out the first set 6-4. Virginia went up an early break, 2-0, in the second set. The Virginia team held that advantage until Huey's serve was broken to draw Ole Miss even at 4-4. However, the Cavalier duo broke right back on Claesson's serve and Devvarman held at love to finish off the 6-4, 6-4 victory.

"I thought we played well today," Huey said. "We knew coming in that Tveit had one of the biggest serves in college tennis and that we had to return well. We didn't return as well as we did in the previous matches, but came up big when we had to and got a break to take the first set. In the second, we got up early but I got broken to make it 4-4, the first time we had been broken all tournament. We did a good job of focusing and breaking back and took the final two games to win the match. We are playing well and are excited for the semifinals tomorrow."

With the victory, Devvarman and Huey become the second Cavalier team to reach the NCAA Doubles Semifinals. Vahaly and Huntley Montgomery made the semifinals of the 2001 tournament in Athens.

Devvarman will play No. 4 seed Kevin Anderson of Illinois in the semifinal round Sunday. Anderson advanced with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win over Miami's Luigi D'Agord in the quarterfinals Saturday. Devvarman defeated Anderson 4-6, 7-6, 10-8 earlier this season when the two met at No. 1 singles in the Cavaliers' 5-2 dual match win over the Illini on January 28 at the Boyd Tinsley Courts. Anderson and Devvarman are the only two players that remain alive in both the singles and doubles tournaments. Devvarman and Huey will play Marco Born and Andreas Siljestrom of Middle Tennessee in the semifinals Sunday. Born and Siljestrom, seeded 5-8, downed No. 3 seeded Jesse Levine and Greg Ouellette of Florida 6-7, 6-4, 6-2 in the quarterfinals. The teams have met once before, with the Middle Tennessee team scoring an 8-5 win in the semifinals of the 2005 UVa Fall Invitational.

 

UVa's Varsity Eight In Grand Final At NCAA Women's Rowing Championships
Virginia is one of two teams with all three boats in Grand Finals on Sunday.
May 26, 2007

OAK RIDGE, Tenn--The Virginia women's rowing team's varsity eight crew finished third in its semifinal heat at the NCAA Women's Rowing Championships on Saturday (May 26) on Melton Hill Lake and qualified for Sunday's (May 27) Grand Final in that event.

UVa's varsity eight joins the Cavaliers' second varsity eight and varsity four in Grand Finals on Sunday. Virginia's second varsity eight and varsity four crews advanced to Grand Finals in those competitions by virtue of winning their heats on Friday (May 25).

Virginia and Brown are the only teams with boats in all three Grand Finals on Sunday.

UVa's varsity eight had a time of 6:28.64 in its semifinal heat to finish behind Southern California (6:27.29) and Ohio State (6:28.28) in a very competitive race. Notre Dame finished fourth (6:29.56) followed by Tennessee (6:33.57) and Stanford (6:40.16). Virginia led the race after 1,500 meters before Southern California and Ohio State moved ahead of the Cavaliers in the last 500 meters. Southern California and Ohio State also advance to Sunday's Grand Final.

In the other varsity eight semifinal race on Saturday, Yale finished first with a time of 6:22.93 followed by Brown (6:25.50), Princeton (6:27.25), Harvard (6:27.62), Dartmouth (6:30.47) and Minnesota (6:30.72). The Yale, Brown and Princeton varsity eight crews join Southern California, Ohio State and Virginia in Sunday's Grand Final.

Virginia's second varsity eight boat competes against Brown, California, Minnesota, Ohio State and Washington in the Grand Final on Sunday, while UVa's varsity four competes against Brown, California, Princeton, Washington and Yale in the Grand Final in that competition.

The Grand Finals determine places 1-6 in each of the three competitions.

This is the 11th NCAA Women's Rowing Championship and Virginia has competed in 10 of the 11 events. UVa's best team finishes are second place finishes in 1999 and 2005.

 

Cavs shut out by Heels
By Jay Jenkins / jjenkins@dailyprogress.com | 978-7250
May 26, 2007

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - For the first time in exactly a year, Virginia failed to score a run.

Two North Carolina pitchers combined to hurl a four-hit shutout en route to a 5-0 win at the ACC Baseball Tournament.

Despite finishing 2-1 in the tournament, the loss eliminated the Cavaliers (43-14). North Carolina, which improved to 47-12 overall, won Bracket B with a 2-1 record and the head-to-head tiebreaker over UVa.

“We’re 2-1 in this tournament and with the old format, we would still be playing,” said Virginia coach Brian O’Connor. “But that’s the breaks. I like this format and I’m in favor of it continuing in the future.

“The reality is that we had a chance to go to the championship game with a win today and we don’t deserve to go to the title game because North Carolina beat us. They were the better team today and they will have a chance to play for the title tomorrow.”

Casey Lambert, starting for the second time this season, allowed just four hits in seven innings, but took the loss. The senior is now 2-2 on the season.

UNC freshman Alex White (6-4) claimed the win on the mound.

“I thought Casey Lambert had a great start and really gave us a chance to win, but White pretty much dominated,” O’Connor said. “He was very, very good.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t get a clutch hit.”

Virginia learns on Sunday at 3:15 p.m. if it will host a regional in the NCAA Tournament. The complete pairings, however, will not be announced until Monday.


 

UNC baseball advances to ACC Final
From staff and wire reports : The Herald-Sun
May 27, 2007 : 12:14 am ET

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- North Carolina freshman Alex White pitched seven shutout innings as the Tar Heels beat Virginia 5-0 on Saturday in the ACC Baseball Championships and advanced today's title game.

White allowed just two singles and four walks while striking out five. The right-hander only allowed two runners to reach base in the same inning once, in the sixth inning when he walked two.

"I felt I had to go out there and pitch it as hard as I could, especially the first batter in each inning," White said. "Robert Woodard gave me good advice before the game. He said, 'Just out-complete the other players and just try to do the best that you can.' "

The Tar Heels, who are looking for their first league baseball title since 1990, face Wake Forest in today's championship game at 1 p.m. (Fox Sports South).

White (6-4) was locked in a scoreless pitcher's duel with Virginia's Casey Lambert (2-2) through five innings. But the Tar Heels recorded a pair of runs in the sixth inning, scoring on Reid Fronk's single to center and adding another run on a sacrifice fly by Garrett Gore.

North Carolina (47-12, 21-9) tallied three times in the eighth inning on four singles. The three runs came in on Fronk's infield hit, a drag bunt by Gore and another infield hit by Dustin Ackley.

Andrew Carignan completed the shutout and earned the save. He allowed two hits and struck out two.

Virginia (43-14, 19-9) got a pair of hits from John Scaglione.

North Carolina -- the No. 2 seed in the tournament -- is in the championship game for the first time in 18 years.

"This was obviously a big win for us over a really good Virginia team; one of the best teams we have played all year," UNC coach Mike Fox said. "I feel fortunate that we won. I thought that Lambert and fortunately Alex matched him pitch for pitch. We are excited to have won."

 

Heels get crack at ACC title
Jamey Givens, Correspondent

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. - North Carolina will play for the Atlantic Coast Conference baseball tournament championship today, no thanks to coach Mike Fox.
A misinterpreted sign and a little freelancing from the Tar Heels opened the door for two multi-run innings and a 5-0 win over Virginia.

The victory puts Carolina in its first title game appearance since 1990, and likely locks up a top-eight national seed when the NCAA Tournament starts next week.

The Tar Heels will face eighth-seeded Wake Forest today for the championship. The Demon Deacons defeated fifth-seeded Miami 7-3 on Saturday to make the title game.

Kyle Shelton sparked the Tar Heels in the sixth when he followed a Seth Williams base hit with a double down the left-field line.

Reid Fronk singled to bring home Williams and Shelton scored on Garrett Gore's sacrifice fly.

That might have never happened if Shelton hadn't mistook Fox's wipe off of a take sign for a wipe off of a bunt sign.

"Shelton was supposed to sac-bunt. He missed a sign, hit a double. I'll forgive him," Fox said with a laugh.

Freshman starting pitcher Alex White -- who got knocked around for nine hits and five runs against the Cavaliers in March -- pitched a gem in his first career ACC Tournament start.

He threw seven shutout innings, scattering two hits and four walks, and never allowed a Virginia baserunner past second base.

"I felt pretty good last night knowing that we were going to face him," Virginia coach Brian O'Connor said. "It just seemed like he was determined today."

Carolina added some insurance in the eight, scoring three runs. Only one ball left the infield.

Andrew Carignan pitched two scoreless innings for his 12th save of the year.

North Carolina will throw Luke Putkonen against Wake Forest in today's 1 p.m. championship game.