Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/451067
them," Waddell said. "I think we really gained trust in one another." Getting the rookies acclimated to traveling to- gether, being in hotels, eating together and just being together is not something that typically can be accomplished until the season starts. The trip accelerated that process. "When you look at it, the freshmen are half the team," Waddell added. "When they're go- ing through the learning curve, the jump from high school to college, there are things you have to learn — you have to learn to trust them and respect them. It was a perfectly timed trip and a prefect experience." The trip was actually planned two years ago, and done so with a strategic purpose. "I felt like this was the year to do it. I felt it would be more beneficial to this year's team because 14 of our 29 players are first-years," O'Connor explained. "We did a lot of team build- ing things that were very valuable, so I felt like we got everything out of the trip we intended to." While the desired results were serious, fourth- year third baseman Kenny Towns appreciated the fact it was accomplished through a lot of new and fun experiences. "We got to see and learn about the Panama Canal, which was really cool," Towns said. "It's amazing how it works and how it impacts the Panamanian economy. The next day, we went to a village and there's not much technology; there's hunting and fishing and that's how they live. It was different seeing it in that perspective. "The most fun things we did were in Costa Rica, where we went zip lining and white water rafting." "The trip was unbelievable — an absolutely amazing experience — a once-in-a-lifetime expe- rience," Waddell added. "We not only got to expe- rience other countries, but saw the way baseball is played — especially in Panama. "Getting to play that team and practice in the Rod Carew National Stadium, just to experience all of that with the guys was a real cool opportu- nity." — Greg Waters "It's not my most talented team in my 19 years. In fact, of the five College Cup teams that I've had, it prob- ably ranks as one of the lowest teams in terms of talent … but the team spirit, chemistry, intelligence and adapt- ability to tactics [of this group was] off the charts." — Head men's soccer coach GEORGE GELNO- VATCH after his squad won the school's seventh NCAA championship in the sport Dec. 14 "Kirby had quite the season last year for the Cav‑ aliers, going 9‑3 with a 2.06 ERA while averaging nearly a strikeout per inning as a sophomore. That's good news for Virginia as the left‑hander and reign‑ ing ACC Pitcher of the Year is back for his junior season. … Kirby is an elite draft prospect heading into the spring and with high level of pitchability, he looks to lead a Cavalier pitching staff back to the College World Series." — PerfectGame.org on third-year star pitcher Nathan Kirby, whom the organization tabbed as a first-team preseason All-American (third-year outfielder Joe Mc- Carthy was named to the second team, while third-year pitcher Brandon Waddell earned a spot on the third team) HOO'S TALKING