Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
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cavalier sports FEBRUARY 2019 9 3 Women's soccer players earned national honors after helping the Cavaliers reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Championships for the 14th straight season — third-year defender Phoebe McClernon was named a third-team All-American by the United Soccer Coaches and was included on Top- DrawerSoccer.com's Best XI third team, while rookies Alexa Spaanstra (first team) and Rebecca Jarrett (second) were named to Top Drawer's Best XI Freshman Teams. This is probably the best game we've played, and it couldn't come at a better time, at the end of the season when a lot was at stake." — Fourth-year Olamide Zaccheaus after the Cavs' 28-0 win over South Carolina in the Belk Bowl; UVA ended the season with a victory for the first time since 2005, and Zaccheaus was named the game MVP after hauling in 12 passes for 100 yards and three touchdowns It's always been on my heart. The last couple weeks have made it more clear, mostly because I feel like I want to finish what I started here. This program gave me so much, and before I leave I want to give everything I have to them. I want to develop also as a leader, and when that next phase of life comes, I want to be prepared. … The league's always going to be there, so I'm not as concerned about that. I'm more focused on how can I give and share everything this program's given me, these coaches, this culture, and help build and leave it in a better place than where I started." — All-American cornerback BRYCE HALL on returning to Charlottesville for his fourth year next season PHOTO BY MATT RILEY/ COURTESY UVA Fourth-year Dave Smith has been a du- rable, short-stick midfielder who has played in 32 of Virginia's last 33 lacrosse games. The only game he missed was the 2018 season opener against Loyola (Md.) because of an injury. Smith, one of the Cavaliers' three cap- tains for 2019, scooped up 31 ground balls and caused five turnovers last season. My advice to student-athletes is: Create an ultimate goal for yourself and work every single day toward reaching that goal. Don't stop until you get there. The primary challenge facing student- athletes today is: It's being a balanced stu- dent-athlete. It's important to have complete focus on your sport, but at the same time be a serious student. The person who's had the most influ- ence on your life: My mom (Jeanne) and dad (Dave). My mom is one of the most resilient human beings I've ever met. My dad is the most hardworking individual that I know. Those two traits have been the most important things in my academic and ath- letic careers throughout my life. How difficult is it for you to play a sport at UVA which has high academic standards: It's difficult, but we're sur- rounded by a network of tutors. Plus you have the support of your teammates, which at the end of the day makes it a little easier. The best thing about UVA is: It's a top academic university in the world with a prestigious lacrosse history where student- athletes are set up for success. Why I chose UVA: Because it had the best balance of academics, athletics and social life. It's also one of the most beautiful places in the United States. What I like the most about lacrosse: Going out to practice every day, being with your best friends and working toward a common goal. Practice easily is the high- light of my day. What I've learned from lacrosse: I've learned to appreciate every single day, how to be resilient and how to bend your back and do the work. The highlight of my athletic career: Celebrating with the team after making it to the NCAA Tournament for the first time (2017). My dream vacation would be: Hawai'i. My post-college ambition is: Hopefully to keep playing lacrosse at another level, find an awesome job that I'm passionate about, and coach football and lacrosse someday. — Mike Scandura Smith, who was tabbed as one of three team captains in the fall, picked up 31 ground balls and caused five turnovers in 2018. PHOTO BY MATT RILEY/COURTESY UVA getting to know Fourth-Year Lacrosse Midfielder Dave Smith What/Who Is Your Favorite … TV show? "The Walking Dead" … movie? "Jaws" … actor and actress? Chris Rock and Jennifer Aniston … place in Charlottesville? The White Spot … musician/band? Zac Brown Band … pro sports team? Philadelphia Eagles … food? Chicken Parm with some penne pasta … UVA class? Business fundamentals … sport (other than lacrosse)? Football … person in history? Brian Dawkins (Hall of Fame safety who played for the Eagles) … pre-game ritual? I have a big Italian dinner the night before