Virginia Cavaliers softball
College softball team
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The Virginia Cavaliers softball team represents University of Virginia in NCAA Division I college softball. The team participates in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Cavaliers are currently led by head coach Joanna Hardin. The team plays its home games at Palmer Park located on the university's Charlottesville campus.[2][3]
| Virginia Cavaliers softball | |
|---|---|
 2025 Virginia Cavaliers softball team | |
| Founded | 1980 |
| University | University of Virginia |
| Athletic director | Carla Williams |
| Head coach | Joanna Hardin (10th season) |
| Conference | ACC |
| Location | Charlottesville, Virginia |
| Home stadium | Palmer Park |
| Nickname | Cavaliers |
| Colors | Orange and blue[1] |
| NCAA Tournament appearances | |
| 2010, 2024, 2025, 2026 | |
| Conference tournament championships | |
| 1994 | |
History
Virginia has played softball continuously since 1980, beginning NCAA play in 1982 when the organization began sponsoring the sport.[4] The Cavaliers currently play their home games at Palmer Park, an on-campus stadium that opened in 2020.[5]
The Cavaliers have been members of the Atlantic Coast Conference through their softball history, winning the 1994 ACC Tournament. They have qualified for the NCAA tournament three in program history, most recently in 2025.
Virginia has been led by head coach Joanna Hardin since 2017.
NCAA Tournament Appearances
The Cavaliers have qualified for the NCAA tournament three times, most recently in 2025.[6]
| Year | Record | Pct | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1–2 | .333 | Knoxville Regional |
| 2024 | 2–2 | .500 | Knoxville Regional |
| 2025 | 1–2 | .333 | Columbia Regional |
TOTALS |
4–6 | .400 |
Championships
Conference Tournament Championships
| Year | Conference | Tournament Location | Head coach |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Atlantic Coast Conference | Tallahassee, FL | Peggy Kellers |
Coaching History
Current Coaching Staff
| Name | Position coached | Consecutive season at Virginia in current position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joanna Hardin | Head coach | 10th | |
| Jeff Tylka | Associate Head Coach | 3rd | |
| Jamie Allred-Stoker | Assistant coach | 3rd | |
| Dee Dee Hernandez | Assistant coach | 1st | |
| Caty Reeves | Director of Operations | 1st | |
| Reference:[7] | |||
Previous Head Coaches
| Years | Coach | Record | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980–1981 | Mika Long | 47–33 | .588 |
| 1982–1983 | C.L. Ermini | 41–30 | .577 |
| 1984–1986 | Sue Ross | 81–80 | .503 |
| 1987–1992 | Terry DeTuro | 184–102–1 | .643 |
| 1993–1997 | Peggy Kellers | 124–96 | .564 |
| 1998–2005 | Cheryl Sprangel | 303–215 | .585 |
| 2006–2007 | Karen Johns | 46–65 | .414 |
| 2008–2013 | Eileen Schmidt | 145–168 | .463 |
| 2014–2016 | Blake Miller | 42–116 | .266 |
| 2017–present | Joanna Hardin | 210–234 | .473 |