The Virginia Cavaliers softball team represents University of Virginia in NCAA Division I college softball. The team participates in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Cavaliers are currently led by head coach Joanna Hardin. The team plays its home games at Palmer Park on the university's Charlottesville campus.
History Virginia has played softball continuously since 1980, beginning NCAA play in 1982 when the organization began sponsoring the sport. The Cavaliers currently play their home games at Palmer Park, an on-campus stadium that opened in 2020.
The Cavaliers have been members of the Atlantic Coast Conference through their softball history, winning the 1994 ACC Tournament. They have qualified for the NCAA tournament three in program history, most recently in 2025.
Virginia has been led by head coach Joanna Hardin since 2017.
NCAA Tournament Appearances The Cavaliers have qualified for the NCAA tournament three times, most recently in 2025. 2010 1–2 Knoxville Regional 2024 2–2 Knoxville Regional 2025 1–2 Columbia Regional 2026 2–2 Knoxville Regional 6–8
Championships
Conference Tournament Championships 1994 Atlantic Coast Conference Tallahassee, FL Peggy Kellers
Coaching history 2026 coaching staff Joanna Hardin Head coach 10th Jeff Tylka Associate Head Coach 3rd Jamie Allred-Stoker Assistant coach 3rd Dee Dee Hernandez Assistant coach 1st Caty Reeves Director of Operations 1stReference:
Previous head coaches 1980–1981 Mika Long 47–33 1982–1983 C.L. Ermini 41–30 1984–1986 Sue Ross 81–80 1987–1992 Terry DeTuro 184–102–1 1993–1997 Peggy Kellers 124–96 1998–2005 Cheryl Sprangel 303–215 2006–2007 Karen Johns 46–65 2008–2013 Eileen Schmidt 145–168 2014–2016 Blake Miller 42–116 Since 2017 Joanna Hardin 210–234
Awards and honors
Retired numbers Sources: 21 Kristen Dennis P 1999-2002 2005 22 Lisa Palmer P 1986–1989 1990
Conference awards and honors Sources:
ACC Player of the Year Eileen Schmidt, 1993 Kristen Dennis, 2002 Sara Larquier, 2005
ACC Freshman of the Year Kristen Dennis, 1999 Ruby Rojas, 2000
References