Reeling Virginia altering offense
By Norm Wood
247-4642
September 22, 2009

The offensive adjustments going on in Charlottesville might not have fit into the grand plan when Virginia coach Al Groh and his team started installing the spread offense in the spring, but time for pondering what should've been is over.

With U.Va.'s season off to a disastrous start, and Groh's job security seemingly becoming less and less certain by the week, something had to change. In U.Va.'s 37-34 loss at Southern Mississippi, the Cavaliers employed some offensive elements that looked more like offenses of U.Va.'s recent past, as opposed to first-year offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon's spread attack.

Against Southern Miss, U.Va. (0-3) often used closer alignment of the offensive linemen instead of the wide splits used in the spread.

Quarterback Jameel Sewell worked out of the shotgun and utilized spread formations, but at times he also lined up under center. Even the wide receivers and tight ends reverted back to some routes that looked more like U.Va.'s old pro-style offenses.

"We made some alterations there, too, to put in some patterns that we've had some previous experience with that have been effective, and obviously the formations that would be necessary to run those patterns," Groh said Sunday night.

The result was an offense that produced more than it had all season with 390 yards — in a losing effort. U.Va. had 268 yards in its season-opening loss to William and Mary, and 177 yards in the loss to Texas Christian. Despite the changes last weekend, they didn't cure all of U.Va.'s offensive ills. U.Va. ran a season-high 90 plays, and Sewell and the offense seemed to lose steam as the game progressed.

In U.Va.'s first 46 plays, it generated 333 yards for an average of 7.2 yards per play. In its final 34 plays, the offense posted just 57 yards — 1.7 yards per play — and U.Va. squandered a 17-point lead in the final 23 minutes.

Sewell passed or ran the ball 69 times. He completed 24 of 46 passes for 312 yards, two touchdowns and an interception to go along with 23 carries for 23 yards and two touchdowns. Groh said Sewell's work load probably won't diminish any time soon.

"We're very conscious of those things," said Groh of Sewell's ample involvement in the offense. "There were only, I think, eight or nine, perhaps, called quarterback runs in the game. The rest of those were his reaction to certain pass plays, so I think, generally, eight or nine — probably in there — would be a desirable number as we would go in to the game. We're realizing that there's certainly going to be some spontaneous situations that might add to that number."

Though U.Va. gets this week off before it travels to open its ACC schedule Oct. 3 against North Carolina, Groh decided he didn't want to wait until the off-week to re-install some of the old elements. He got started last week in practice, and it doesn't sound like the offensive tailoring is done yet.

"We had a game to play before the bye week," said Groh, whose team is off to its worst start since 1982.

"With a game to play, there seemed to be a need to make those alterations, so we went ahead and did it. For some players, there was a familiarity with it. Obviously, for players like (freshman wide receiver) Tim Smith and, for that matter to a degree, (redshirt freshman receiver) Javaris Brown, there wasn't much familiarity with it — but they did OK with it. We had some things, it's quite clear to us, that need work for better execution, but overall obviously it produced some results that we hadn't had beforehand. So, we consider the first phase of it to have worked out OK."

White: Wallace's Season Ends Prematurely
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com Release: 09/21/2009
By Jeff White

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- A month ago, tailback might have been the deepest position on UVa's football team. The Cavaliers are thinner there these days.
Dominique Wallace, who carried 11 times Saturday in a 37-34 loss at Southern Mississippi, suffered a season-ending injury in that game.
A bruising 6-0, 230-pound true freshman from Fredericksburg, Wallace has a foot sprain that will require surgery, UVa announced Monday afternoon.
Because he did not compete in more than 30 percent of Virginia's 12 regular-season games, Wallace is eligible for a medical hardship waiver that would leave him with four seasons of eligibility.
Wallace appeared in all three games for UVa, carrying 14 times for 49 yards, with a long gain of 13 yards.
Also out for the season is reserve safety Matt Leemhuis, a junior who fractured his clavicle on a special-teams play Saturday. Leemhuis' injury won't require surgery, and he's eligible for a hardship waiver, too.
The loss of Wallace comes about three weeks after another tailback, Keith Payne, quit the team.
Virginia's options at tailback now include seniors Rashawn Jackson and Mikell Simpson, redshirt freshman Torrey Mack and true freshman Perry Jones.
After the Southern Miss game, before he knew the extent of Wallace's injury, Al Groh praised the play of Wallace and Mack.
"I thought they both had some very encouraging plays," Groh told reporters. "It looks like we've got two guys who can have a real good career in front of them."
Also Monday, the ACC announced that UVa's Oct. 3 game at North Carolina will start at noon. It will be televised by Raycom. The 'Hoos have won three straight over the Tar Heels and six of the past seven games in the series.
Virginia is off this weekend.
 

Virginia's Wallace out for season
The freshman running back suffered a sprained foot against Southern Mississippi.
By Doug Doughty
981-3129

The University of Virginia announced Monday that freshman running back Dominique Wallace, the Cavaliers' leading rusher Saturday in a 37-34 loss at Southern Mississippi, will miss the remainder of the season.

A news release indicated that Wallace suffered a sprained foot and will require surgery. The Cavaliers experienced a similar situation in 2007, when then-running back Cedric Peerman missed the last seven games after suffering a sprained foot at Middle Tennessee.

Peerman underwent season-ending surgery but experienced no ill effects in 2008.

Unlike Peerman, Wallace has a redshirt year at his disposal. Having played in no more than 25 percent of his team's games, Wallace meets the criteria for a successful hardship appeal.

Wallace had 11 carries for 35 yards at Southern Miss, where the Cavaliers held out Game 1 starter Mikell Simpson until the next-to-last series. Simpson had required stitches after being kicked in one of his legs during Wednesday's practice.

The Cavaliers used fifth-year senior Rashawn Jackson in a one-back set to open play at Southern Mississippi. Jackson also played in two-back sets with Wallace, Simpson and redshirt freshman Torrey Mack.

UVa also announced Monday that junior safety Matt Leemhuis, mostly a special-teams player, would miss the remainder of the season with a broken collarbone but would not require surgery.
 

Dominique Wallace to have surgery, miss season
Michael Phillips
Sep 21, 2009

UPDATE 2: U.Va. believes that Dominique Wallace will qualify for a medical hardship, which will allow him to retain four years of eligibility despite playing in three games this season. Paperwork on that is a long, drawn-out affair, so don’t expect official word for quite some time.

As for Leemhuis, the junior safety, he’s already taken a redshirt year, so he will not qualify for a waiver unless the school can demonstrate that he was injured during his redshirt time.

———————-

UPDATE: The rule on medical redshirts states that a player can’t play in more than 20 percent of his team’s games (rounded up). In a 12-game season, that means three games, which would qualify Wallace for a “hardship waver” if the university chose to apply for one. I’ll update with info from the school as soon as I have it.

His final stats this season: vs. William and Mary, 2 carries, 7 yards; vs. TCU, 1 carry, 7 yards; vs. Southern Miss, 11 carries, 35 yards. Totals: 14 carries, 49 yards.

Also remember that a medical redshirt can be applied for twice - so Wallace could potentially become a six-year player should he get injured in a future season.

—————————-

Original story: Virginia is reporting that freshman running back Dominique Wallace sprained his foot Saturday and will undergo surgery. The date of the surgery has not yet been scheduled.

Wallace will miss the remainder of the season. The true freshman would be iffy for a medical redshirt, as he has been a regular contributor to the offense through three games this year. He replaced freshman Torrey Mack as the backup to Mikell Simpson - Mack was seeing more action in receiver-type roles. Fullback Rashawn Jackson has also joined the mix occasionally now that the team has gone back to a two-back look.

In addition, safety Matt Leemhuis has a fractured clavicle. Leemhuis, a junior, has been a special teams player this season. He, also, is out for the year.
 

Wallace out for season
By Jay Jenkins
Published: September 22, 2009

A rookie season that started with promise officially ended in premature fashion on Monday.
According to the injury report released by the University of Virginia, running back Dominique Wallace has been lost for the season with a foot injury, one that was suffered against Southern Miss on Saturday.
Although surgery had not been scheduled to date, the foot sprain derails what appeared to be a growing workload for the true freshman.
According to sources, the injury is similar in nature to that of Cedric Peerman, a former Cavalier. Peerman suffered a Lisfranc injury.
The news was released in conjunction with the announcement that safety Matt Leemhuis was out for the year with a broken clavicle. Surgery will not be needed for one of the program’s expected standouts on special teams.
Wallace, a four-star recruit from Chancellor High in Fredericksburg, appeared in Virginia’s first possession against Southern Miss and finished the game with 11 carries for 35 yards.
He also lost a fumble on the Cavaliers’ opening drive when he was drilled by Deddrick Jones five yards behind the line of scrimmage.
Virginia coach Al Groh said after the contest that the style in which Wallace ran against the Golden Eagles, a rugged, fearless approach, was what the coaching staff witnessed in practice.
“He has been rather impressive,” Groh said. “We like what he can bring to the offense.”
Clearly, Groh was unaware the severity of the injury at that time.
The season may not be a complete loss in terms of Wallace’s career — football players that do not play in more than three games in the first half of the regular season are eligible for a medical hardship.
It would not have been the case for Wallace prior to April 2007. At that time, the NCAA changed the criteria on medical hardships, shifting from two games (or less than 20 percent) to three games (or less than 30 percent).
Virginia can file the paperwork with the ACC at the end of the season.
Wallace, who hails from Spotsylvania, made his debut for Virginia against William & Mary, logging two carries for seven yards late in the game. He also carried the ball once against Texas Christian for seven yards.
“I knew that I might get into the [William & Mary] game, but I was not sure,” Wallace said following the loss to the in-state foe. “I am just glad they gave me the opportunity to get out there.”
Wallace said he entered training camp in August at 230 pounds, but lost 10 pounds in an attempt to see playing time as a rookie.
It worked.
“I lost a lot of the fat that I had from high school,” Wallace said, “and I turned it into muscle. That worked out a lot.”
Without Wallace, a greater role is expected for redshirt freshman Torrey Mack behind starting tailback Mikell Simpson, who was limited against Southern Miss after needing stitches last week in his shin following a play in practice.
Virginia and Heels at ‘High Noon’
The ACC announced Monday that Virginia and North Carolina will meet on Oct. 3 at noon.
The contest will be televised by Raycom.
While Virginia enjoys a bye week, the Tar Heels
(3-0) play Saturday at Georgia Tech.
The Cavaliers have won six of the past seven games against the Tar Heels, including two of the past three meeting in Chapel Hill, N.C.
 

Cavs lose Wallace for year
September 22, 2009 12:35 am
BY STEVE DeSHAZO

A season full of bad news got worse yesterday for Dominique Wallace and the Virginia Cavaliers.

School officials announced yesterday that Wallace, a freshman running back from Chancellor High School, will miss the rest of the season with a left-foot sprain that will require surgery.

Wallace suffered the injury in Saturday's 37-34 loss at Southern Mississippi, which dropped the Cavaliers' record to 0-3.

"It's very disappointing," Wallace said last night. "I felt like I was finally getting the hang of college football."

Wallace said he suffered the injury in the second quarter when someone stepped on his foot. He returned to the game and finished with 11 carries for 33 yards. In fact, his longest carry of his abbreviated freshman season (13 yards) came after the injury.

"I just dealt with it. I toughed it out," he said.

But the foot swelled up considerably after the game, and Wallace is now using crutches, with his foot in a protective boot. He said surgery will not be scheduled until after he receives the results of an MRI taken yesterday.

The only good news for Wallace is that because he has played in less than 30 percent of his team's games, he is eligible to apply to the NCAA for a medical redshirt. If approved, he would have four more seasons of eligibility.

"That's my plan, to get a medical redshirt and to get ready for next year," he said.

Wallace (6 feet, 230 pounds) signed with Virginia after being named The Free Lance-Star's 2008 player of the year. He ran for 1,893 yards and 31 touchdowns as a senior and was also a standout linebacker as the Chargers reached the Group AA, Division 4 state semifinals.

In three games at Virginia, Wallace had 14 carries for 49 yards. He saw his most extensive action of the season against Southern Mississippi, largely because of the absence of starter Mikell Simpson, who sat out the game with a leg injury. Another running back, Keith Payne, quit the team three weeks ago.

The Cavaliers are off this week and hope to have Simpson back for their next game, Oct. 3 at North Carolina. School officials announced yesterday that game will start at noon.

Other options at tailback are senior Rashawn Jackson (who also plays fullback), redshirt freshman Torrey Mack and true freshman Perry Jones.

On Saturday, before learning the extent of Wallace's injury, head coach Al Groh praised Wallace and Mack.

"I thought they both had some very encouraging plays," Groh told reporters. "It looks like we've got two guys who can have a real good career in front of them."

Virginia also announced yesterday that junior reserve safety Matt Leemhuis will miss the rest of the year after fracturing his clavicle on a special-teams play against Southern Mississippi.

London calling
Eric Strow, Cavalier Daily Columnist
Sports
September 22, 2009 0

I didn’t want to talk about Virginia football today. It’s a tired story. Three games, three losses. What more is there to say?

Well, unfortunately, there is a lot more to say, even if you only talk about this weekend’s collapse at Southern Miss. Like, Virginia led 34-17 with only 22 minutes left in the game, then gave up 20 unanswered points and lost. Or, the Cavaliers couldn’t do anything in the fourth quarter on offense, but Southern Miss scored two touchdowns on drives of 53 and 68 yards. And, Jameel Sewell had the game of his life — 312 passing yards, two TD passes, and 2 TD runs — but the rest of the running corps combined for 55 rushing yards on 20 carries.

In the grand scheme of things, though, Virginia’s problems run much deeper than its late-game ineptitude against Southern Miss. They go beyond the spread offense’s inability to move the ball on the ground. The Cavaliers’ problems start at the top, with coach Al Groh. In the words of many, Groh must go. The question is not if he should lose his job, but when.

I don’t know how anybody can argue that Groh is worth keeping around. For players and former players, it’s a sensitive issue: Groh is their coach, and they feel an attachment to him. But to outsiders, including fans and journalists, the case is pretty clear. Virginia is 0-3 this year, including a home loss to an FCS team and a road loss after being up 17 at the half. Last year, Virginia’s 5-7 record included a 35-point loss at Connecticut, a 28-point loss at Duke and a four-game losing streak to end the season. The Cavaliers haven’t won a game since Oct. 25, 2008.

Virginia hasn’t won a bowl game since 2005 and hasn’t beaten Virginia Tech since 2003. Since his first season at Virginia in 2001, Groh’s teams are 1-7 against Tech. If there are any benchmarks that usually allow coaches on the hot seat to keep their jobs, they are bowl wins and rivalry game wins. Groh’s track record in both regards is not good.

Although Groh has had five winning seasons in eight years at Virginia, four of those were from 2002-05. This year is set to be his second losing campaign in a row and third in the past four years. I don’t think many coaches get more leash than that. Going into this year, Groh’s record at Virginia was 56-44; fortunately for him, even a winless season this year will keep his record at .500.

So, yes, this should be Groh’s last year in Charlottesville. But, I believe Virginia needs to wait until after the season to can its coach. I simply don’t think it would do this team any good to fire him now and I don’t think there is anyone better out there to take the team for the rest of 2009. You can’t promote from within — offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon has not shown any reason to be given the reins, and Groh is the defensive coordinator. Special teams coach Ron Prince is the likeliest to get a promotion if Groh is fired midyear — as he has head coaching experience from his days at Kansas State — but I think Virginia needs to have a longer term plan in mind.

That plan starts with a phone call to the 804, to Richmond coach and former Virginia defensive coordinator, Mike London.

“Hey, Mike, how are things at Richmond? I mean, I know you went 13-3 and won the FCS championship during your first year there and you’re already 3-0 this year, including a win against Duke. I know you played at Richmond, you’re a hero there, and you just got a two-year extension through 2014. But, hey, you wanna come back?”


 

Virginia shoots to keep Colonials at bay tonight
No. 20 Cavaliers look to start three-game home stretch strong in non-conference contest, build off road upset against Wake Forest
Nick Eilerson, Cavalier Daily Associate Editor
Men's Soccer / Sports
September 22, 2009 0

Although forward Chris Agorsor failed to score during the Cavaliers’ 1-0 upset of Wake Forest Friday, the freshman wreaked offensive havoc by getting off three shots in the conference road victory. Photo by Bennett Sorbo.
The No. 20 Virginia men’s soccer team will host its second non-conference opponent of the season tonight, when it faces Atlantic-10 foe George Washington.

In light of the squad’s most recent victory — an upset win against the nation’s second-ranked team Friday night — tonight’s test may not seem overly daunting.

“The Tuesday games are tricky because they fall a little bit under the radar,” junior defender Mike Volk. “We have to stay focused and treat it just like it’s a championship game.”

George Washington is coming off a 4-0 win against Longwood last Wednesday. All four goals were scored in the second half, including two from Hermann Trophy candidate Andy Stadler. Stadler, a senior forward, has totaled six goals this season, moving him to sixth on George Washington’s all-time scoring list with 28 career goals. With Stadler leading a potent Colonial attack that has compiled 13 goals so far, the Cavaliers cannot afford to take their opponent lightly if they want to walk away with another victory tonight.

Last week, the Cavaliers marched into Winston-Salem to take on a No. 2 Wake Forest squad that had won its previous 35 home matches. Escaping with a stunning 1-0 upset victory — its first in Winston-Salem since 2005 — Virginia improved its record to 4-1 heading into a three-game home stretch that includes matches against the Colonials, Clemson and VCU.

“I think it was important for us to get that win for a lot of reasons,” Virginia coach George Gelnovatch said. “Wake’s a good team, and just getting that win on the road against them, but also what it does for us in the conference, as well. And the way we did it — the mentality that we had, the confidence that we had, the chances we created, defending a one goal-lead with 10 minutes to go on the road, those are all tough things to do. The guys did well.”

The lone goal against the Demon Deacons came from Volk, who tallied his first career goal since transferring from Rutgers prior to the 2008 season. Senior midfielder Neil Barlow’s high, curling corner kick in the 24th minute found a high-flying Volk, whose low header avoided the grasp of the Wake Forest keeper. It was Barlow’s second assist of the season, improving his team-leading points total to six.

“Coach drilled into our heads that we were determined to get a goal,” Volk said. “Neil served a great ball, and I just beat the defender to the ball and hit it near post. It felt great. It was one of the best feelings I could imagine.”

Junior goalkeeper Diego Restrepo totaled five saves en route to preserving his second complete game shutout of the year. Sophomore midfielder Tony Tchani and sophomore forward Chris Agorsor — who had three shots apiece — led a Cavalier attack that managed 14 shots to the Demon Deacons’ 13.

The win was the 199th for Virginia coach George Gelnovatch, meaning he will be eyeing a milestone 200th victory tonight when his team goes up against George Washington. The Colonials sport a 3-2 record with wins against Howard, UDC and Longwood. Their two defeats came at the hands of American and No. 11 California.

“My challenge to the team is to be the same group of guys that was getting ready for the Wake Forest game to get ready for George Washington tomorrow,” Gelnovatch said. “I want them to be the same team that we were on Friday night — a team that was hungry, aggressive, didn’t take anything lightly and really jumped on them. That’s the challenge for tomorrow.”

Virginia has not faced George Washington since the 1994 season, when the Cavaliers handed a crushing 7-0 defeat to the Colonials in Charlottesville. Virginia is 3-0 all time against George Washington.
 

Squad makes statement with tournament sweep at Snyder
Hardenbergh tops talented Flight A field; Vierra makes successful debut with backdraw win in season opener
Chloe Newschwander, Cavalier Daily Associate Editor
Sports / Women's Tennis
September 22, 2009 0

Sophomore Lindsey Hardenbergh won the Flight A singles’ draw at the U.Va. Fall Invitational this weekend. Although Hardenbergh is currently unranked, she managed to knock off some of the country’s top players en route to the crown. Photo by Matt Riley, Virginia Athletics.
The Virginia women’s tennis team successfully defended its turf this past weekend at the U.Va. Fall Invitational at the Snyder Tennis Center.

The Cavaliers walked away from the tournament with wins in two of three singles finals, as well as two of three doubles finals, beating opponents from Dartmouth, Marshall, Old Dominion, South Carolina, UNC Greensboro, William & Mary and N.C. State.

The tournament was organized into six flights: three singles flights and three doubles flights, with 16 players participating in each.

The flights were organized according to individual player rankings and collegiate playing history; in Flight A, more than half of the competitors were nationally ranked.

Despite her lack of such a seeding, Virginia sophomore Lindsey Hardenbergh took the singles title in Flight A.

“[Hardenbergh] definitely deserves a ranking,” Virginia coach Mark Guilbeau said. “She hasn’t received a ranking yet, but these results now will put her in that position.”

By adding pace, making frequent trips to the net and implementing both down-the-line and cross-court cycles, Hardenbergh took two matches Friday then came from behind to bring down Marshall junior Michaela Kissell — ranked 36th in the country — 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 in Sunday’s final.

“I think that the things that she’s doing are making her a little bit more of an aggressive player, which as long as she chooses well, is very positive,” Guilbeau said. “The bottom line is that this is a kid who works extremely hard and really cares about her tennis, and that should be what pays off the most.”

Freshman Erin Vierra is another Cavalier whose hard work is beginning to pay off, as she topped N.C. State senior Berkeley Brock, ranked 83rd, 6-0, 6-3 in the Flight A backdraw.

“[Vierra] is showing some of the best results that any freshman has had here, so that’s really encouraging,” Guilbeau said. “She’s now had four ranked wins in two tournaments, so I think that her ranking is just waiting to be given to her pretty soon.”

Hardenbergh and Vierra teamed up for the doubles tournament, topping fellow Cavaliers freshman Maria Fuccillo and sophomore Emily Fraser, 8-2 in the Flight B doubles final.

Fraser, who only played doubles this weekend because of an injury, said playing her teammates added another degree of intensity to the match.

“[Hardenbergh and Vierra] are a great team,” Fraser said. “I was a little more knowing of how good they were and more aware of what kind of games they have, You definitely have more motivation. We’re always pushing each other in matches and practice, and we’re always trying to keep it as competitive as possible.”

Freshman Hana Tomljanovic and senior Jennifer Stevens also added to the Cavaliers’ wins, defeating conference-rival N.C. State 8-2 to capture their second tournament title in two weeks.

Guilbeau said the Cavaliers performed beyond coaches’ expectations during the doubles matches.

“You don’t hear this too often from coaches, but we could not have expected really it to even be to the level it was,” Guilbeau said. “They went beyond themselves and really executed, implemented very well.”

The U.Va. Invitational also offered the Cavaliers an opportunity to familiarize themselves with opponents they could face later in the spring season.

“N.C. State is much-improved,” Guilbeau said. “They’ve added a couple players that are going to help them a ton. The conference, we know, is extremely tough and we’re looking forward to that; hopefully we can inch our way up a little more.”

In the meantime, Guilbeau said he is impressed with what he has seen from his team this early in the year.

“This team is just so on top of everything,” Guilbeau said. “Being organized for their matches, making sure they were hydrating, getting nutrition, all the things that usually a coach has to worry about they were tending to. So it’s becoming much more about tennis for us as a staff and I think that’s when we’ll do our best work for the kids that way.”
 

Hilltoppers charge into season, take team titles
Heineking, Dezubay highlight sweep of home invitational with individual championships; tight Virginia pack outdistances foes
William Hrachovina, Cavalier Daily Associate Editor
Cross Country / Featured / Sports
September 22, 2009 0

Senior Emil Heineking captured the individual title at the Lou Onesty Invitational this weekend in meet-record time. The Cavalier men and women swept both team and individual championships during their first races of the season. Photo by Thomas Wilson, Virginia Athletics.
The Virginia men’s and women’s cross country teams opened their seasons this past weekend, hosting the Lou Onesty Invitational at Panorama Farms. The Cavaliers managed to start their seasons off on the right foot, as both squads finished first in their respective events.

The Virginia men took the title with a team score of 28, a 30-point advantage to second-place Norfolk State. UNC-Greensboro and George Mason followed in third and fourth, respectively. In an individual race for the record books, Virginia junior Emil Heineking finished nearly a minute ahead of the next closest competitor with an 8K time of 24 minutes, 4.8 seconds. Heineking’s mark was 10 seconds less than the previous meet record set by Liberty’s Josh McDougal in 2006 and helped earn him ACC Performer of the Week honors.

As a whole, the Cavaliers turned in an impressive team performance, with four runners finishing in the top 10. Such a stellar result this early in the season is a good sign for the squad, which is trying to repeat its success from last year despite graduating several top performers.

“I think our team is moving in the right direction,” Heineking said. “We have a lot of upside, and I am pretty excited for the rest of the season.”

The Cavalier women, meanwhile, fared even better than the men in their race, as all five scoring runners crossed the line in the top 10 to give Virginia an impressive team score of 19 — only four points higher than the best possible score. The hosts finished well ahead of runner-up UNC-Greensboro (67), which edged out George Mason (68) and Norfolk State (98). For the second year in a row, senior Lauretta Dezubay won the individual crown, with a time of 17:42.5.

After winning the event for two consecutive years, Dezubay has proven her consistency as Virginia’s top runner.

“It is always nice to cross the finish line first, but it doesn’t mean too much this early,” Dezubay said. “It is more of an indicator of how well summer training was and how we are doing for this point in the season.”

Crossing the line close behind her was junior Laurel MacMillian and senior Stephanie Garcia, a Cavalier Daily tableau editor.

“We were fortunate this weekend to have everyone that raced run well,” Virginia coach Jason Vigilante said. “We are hoping that as we introduce more athletes into the competition roster that we will continue to have good results.”

Although cross country is an individual sport, personal success helps determine how well the team does.

The runners who finish first receive the lowest score, and the scores for the first five runners on a team are combined to form the team’s overall score. The team with the lowest combined score wins.

Whether a squad is racing in a highly competitive invitational or a smaller dual meet, having runners finish close together in a pack pays off.

“When you are at a major championship, having someone very low is quite helpful,” Vigilante said. “If your fifth runner is going to score the most points, sometimes if you have the event winner, it is almost like scoring four individuals. Your hope, though, is that you have five really good runners.”

Having emerged victorious from their first race of the season, Virginia’s runners will look to duplicate their meet-winning performances Oct. 3 at George Mason.