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DECEMBER 2022 31 On Saturday, September 24, the Virginia Athlet- ics Foundation hosted a celebration of the Virginia Men's Tennis team's 2022 National Championship title. Team members, coaches, support staff, fami- lies, alumni, and donors enjoyed the memorable evening, which included dinner and a ring cer- emony in the Darden School of Business' Abbott Center. Guests enjoyed emotional remarks by cap- tains Gianni Ross and Jefferson Dockter and two highlight videos, "Championship Run" and "This Is UVA Men's Tennis." Head Coach Andres Pedroso shared appreciation to everyone who has sup- ported the tennis program over the years and pro- vided a season recap on how they evolved as a team throughout the season. Pedroso also recognized the graduating class and how they played a ma- jor role in building the process towards this national championship. Student-athletes joined their coaches on stage to receive their 2022 season photo book and open their impressive rings together. The face of the diamond-studded ring features an orange and gold V-Sabre sitting atop a gold replica of the NCAA Championship trophy with a blue stone replacing the NCAA medallion at the top. The right side of the ring rec- ognizes the ACC Championship, and 14 set stones signify the program's win tally. On the left side of the ring is the player's name above five gold stars for the five Championships above UVA's logo. The inside of the ring is engraved with the opponents' logos and final scores of the six NCAA Champion- ship matches the Cavaliers won during their title run. The team was thrilled with the historic design. After the special occasion, Head Coach Andres Pedroso said, "Thank you to UVA, UVA Athletics and the Virginia Athletic Foundation for what was truly a very special NCAA Championship Ring Ceremony for our program. The 2022 Spring Tennis Season was an amazing story of resilience and camaraderie written by our student-athletes, and to have the opportunity to relive those mo- ments once again, with everyone involved, was an experience all of us will never forget. Once again, UVA Athletics, across all sports, continues to prove that our student-athletes are able to earn a world-class education, while competing every year for National Championships. This is what makes UVA unique and special, and it goes without say- ing that it is always a total team effort!" Virginia Women's Swimming National Championship Dinner & Ring Ceremony It was a Virginia Women's Swimming back-to-back National Championship celebration! On Saturday, October 22, the Virginia Athletics Foundation hosted a dinner and ring ceremony in the Darden School of Business' Abbott Center to recognize the team's 2022 title. Guests included the men's and women's swimming and diving teams, coaches, support staff, families and alumni. University of Virginia President Jim Ryan was on hand to congratulate the team members and meet their families. In his remarks, Head Coach Todd DeSorbo commented on the historic season and shared appreciation for all the individuals and groups who have supported the swimming program throughout their journey. The ceremony also featured two videos highlighting the incredible championship run and the dra- matic ring reveal. Coaches presented rings to support staff before team mem- bers lined up on stage to receive their rings, watches, and mini replica trophies in honor of their achievement. The fifth program to ever win consecutive NCAA Championships in women's swimming, the team's championship ring design includes the back-to-back insignia and two layers of diamonds circling the top of the setting to represent this feat. It was a dominating performance as Virginia won 11 of the 21 events during the season. The 2022 championship banner was unveiled in the AFC earlier in the day when the team hosted a dual meet against Florida. Alumni and families in town for the weekend celebrations witnessed women's swimming's 180-115 victory and several records being broken, including Kate Douglass' new pool record in the 100-yard freestyle and Gretchen Walsh's new pool record in the 100-yard butterfly. Head Coach Todd DeSorbo shared, "It's always great to be able to celebrate and recognize our program's accomplishments. The ultimate being winning a National Championship. And back-to-back is twice as nice! It was a great week- end overall with many alumni returning to support the teams highlighted by an intense competition against a great Florida team including the marching band, cheerleaders and CAV Man in attendance, and a dinner with family and friends to honor our Women's 2nd National Title. I am appreciative of the amazing sup- port from the community, the athletic department, and alumni. WAHOOWA!" Virginia Men's National Championship Tennis team and coaching staff reveal their recently opened rings. The audience provides a standing ovation for the men's tennis team as they open their national championship rings. Virginia Women's Swimming National Championship team and coaching staff posing with their new rings. Virginia Men's Tennis National Championship Dinner & Ring Ceremony