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20 CAVALIER CORNER From 2008-17, a Vittese sister donned the orange and blue for Virginia field hockey. The Cavaliers won 68.7 percent (149-68) of their games played and captured three ACC championships (two regular season and one tournament) during that 10-year stretch, while the sisters earned three Division I National Player of the Year awards and seven All-America honors. The Hoos also advanced to the national semifinals of the NCAA Tournament twice and made three additional quarterfinal appearances in that span. Three-time All-American Michelle Vittese played from 2008-10, redshirted in 2011 to compete with the U.S. National Team, and then completed her UVA career in 2012. She fin- ished her career with 83 games played (75 starts), 25 goals, 26 assists and 76 points. She was part of head coach Michele Madison's first recruiting class, a squad that made back-to-back NCAA Final Four appear- ances in 2009-10 and played for the ACC title in 2010. Michelle was the first Vittese sister to make the Grounds her collegiate home, but said her sisters didn't need much prodding to follow in her cleats. "Virginia can sell itself," Michelle said. "It's clear how great a university it is, how great the athletic programs are and what an academic institution it is. It was the perfect environment to stay competitive athletically and to challenge myself academically." Middle sister Carissa played sweeper from 2010-13, starting 63 of the 82 games she played in during her career. She tallied 11 goals, nine assists and 31 points, and played in three NCAA Tournaments and an ACC title game. "Obviously, Michelle chose to go there so the pressure was on us [Carissa and Tara] to decide if we wanted to go, too," Carissa said."But what really sold me was the beauty of Grounds, the food scene, and the people of Charlottesville who are amazing … it is so unique, and I believe it is one of the best college towns in the country." A current member of USA Field Hockey, Carissa remains connected to Virginia and said she is grateful for the VAF's commitment in her life and college career. "I try to donate every year to the VAF, I come back and work the field hockey camps every year, and I am in charge of run- ning alumni weekend," she said. "I am so thankful for all of the donors who have given to athletics because it has given me a once in a lifetime opportunity." Little sister Tara graduated this past spring, end- ing a stellar career as a three-time Division I Na- tional Player of the Year and in the top five of the UVA record books for assists (third, 51), goals (fifth, 72) and points (third, 195). Vittese led the Hoos to an ACC Tournament title in 2016, regular-season conference championships in 2014 and 2017, and to three NCAA bids, includ- ing two quarterfinal appearances. This summer, she will be able to compete with Michelle for the first time on the international stage as part of USA Field Hockey's World Cup squad, something Tara said she's looking forward to. "It's definitely nice having a family member with you on the field," she noted. "Michelle instilled tough love on me and she's going to be hard on me, but I think it will be great because she knows how to push me." All three sisters are part of the USA Field Hockey Team. Michelle calls it a great opportunity for both younger sisters to develop their games in a rigor- ous environment. "I am so lucky to share this with them," Michelle said. "They are going to become the best version of themselves in this environment because it is hard. "I have played with Tara for a few weeks and with Carissa for about a year and a half, and it's been great to watch them grow." — Greg Waters From 2008-17, at least one Vittese sister was part of the UVA field hockey program. During that time (from left to right), Michelle, Tara and Carissa helped the Cavaliers to a 149-68 record (a .687 winning percentage), and accounted for one ACC championship, three Division I National Player of the Year awards and seven first-team All-America honors. PHOTO BY MATT RILEY/COURTESY UVA CONTINUED SUCCESS: THE VITTESE SISTERS, FIELD HOCKEY Michelle Vittese (above) played in 83 contests with 75 starts at UVA from 2008-12, and compiled 25 goals, 26 assists and 76 points. PHOTO COURTESY UVA Carissa Vittese (left) started 63 of 82 games played from 2010-13, and helped the Cavaliers to three NCAA Tournament appearances. PHOTO BY MATT RILEY/COURTESY UVA