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32 CAVALIER CORNER cavalier profile ABBY WEAVER Second-Year • Softball Abby Weaver joined the Virginia softball program in 2021 as an accomplished player throughout her high school and club career, receiving multiple all-state honors, and being named her region's player of the year two times and its pitcher of the year once. "We knew Abby would bring energy and passion for the game the minute she stepped on Grounds," UVA head coach Joanna Hardin said. "With her hit tools and plate coverage, we were confident she could crack our lineup and contribute. "It was really rewarding to see her hard work and drive pay off. When she got her chance, she never came out of the lineup." Weaver saw limited action early in her first-year campaign, com- ing off the bench through the opening weeks of the season. After adjusting to the difference of playing at the collegiate level, she made the most of a big opportunity in the Cavaliers' weekend se- ries at Duke March 12-14. In game two of a Saturday doubleheader, Weaver made her first collegiate start and collected her first collegiate hit. She went 2 for 5 in that game with a run scored, earning a spot in the start- ing lineup again for the Sunday finale. In that contest, she broke out, going 2 for 2 with a home run, two runs scored and a walk to lock up a spot in the starting lineup. Weaver went on to hit .328 (22 of 67) before her season was cut short due to an injury she suffered at Notre Dame on April 17. She finished the year with 20 starts, 11 runs scored, two home runs and seven RBI, to go along with her team-best batting average. Weaver has been focused on her second-year campaign, using the overall experience as a first-year — adversity and successes — to fuel her preparation. "I was hurt and out for so long [at the end], and at the begin- ning of last season I didn't get to play a lot and pinch hit," Weaver said. "Knowing I can go from not playing to playing, then going from being hurt to playing again is pretty similar. Luckily, I had all fall to adjust. "Softball is my favorite thing in the world, so I don't have any problems staying focused." — Bill Bunting • Photo by Matt Riley/courtesy UVA