The 2022 squad greatly underperformed, and well, the less said, the better. The following two seasons were just fine too, with the team reaching postseason play, but running into issues with COVID-19. The men’s basketball team’s national championship victory in April 2019 will likely be the iconic Virginia sports memory of nearly every graduate this weekend. Armstrong and the group of upperclassmen that remain will miss the consistent presence and unmatchable work ethic of Kemp, a player who worked his way from a rotation player to an every-game starter. Kemp experienced a lot through the ups and downs of the Mendenhall era and would no doubt be a valuable leader in the transition to the tenure of Coach Tony Elliott. Kemp has been a reliable target throughout his career for both former quarterback Bryce Perkins and junior quarterback Brennan Armstrong, totalling 176 career receptions - good for fourth in program history. ![]() Perhaps the most crucial graduate of the 2022 class is senior wide receiver Billy Kemp IV. The 20 teams had exciting offenses but horrendous defenses, and both teams returned to Earth and finished. 18 in the national polls, beating Virginia Tech for the first time in 16 years and reaching the Orange Bowl, where it lost to Florida. Both the 20 teams were ranked at one point or another. The last four years under former coach Bronco Mendenhall saw Virginia take a big step forward and then a few small steps back. Senior wide receiver Billy Kemp - Football Among all the key graduates moving on from the program this year, Ivory’s leadership makes her an especially important departure. She no doubt was a mentor to many of her younger teammates and her emotional impact on the team was made plainly clear following her season-ending injury in the ACC Tournament final in 2021 - the team made her a clear rallying point in its postseason run. Having been the starter since her freshman season, Ivory served as a steady presence in front of the net for the Cavaliers. Graduate student goalie Laurel Ivory - the program’s second winningest goalie - is perhaps the most impactful loss of this year’s class. Twice, they were ACC runner-ups, they reached the national Sweet 16 twice and they lost in the national semifinals in 2020. In the four years that the graduating seniors played, the women played well, but never reached the summit. Virginia women’s soccer has been one of the most consistent programs in school history, having not missed the NCAA tournament since 1993. ![]() Graduate student goalkeeper Laurel Ivory - Women’s soccer ![]() Having been there for the lows of 20, the loss of a leader like Ortiz will mean much more than just an on-field impact. In fact, it was Ortiz who hit the walk-off homerun in extra innings to defeat Old Dominion and send Virginia to the Super Regionals in 2021, a play that single-handedly not only affected the tail end of last season but also likely the Cavaliers’ attitude heading into 2022. Ortiz has been batting fifth in the order and will be a major offensive loss for the Cavaliers. The 2022 squad started white hot before cooling off as of late, but Virginia is still on track to host a regional and potentially return to Omaha.īaseball’s Class of 2022 is headlined by graduate student first baseman and pitcher Devin Ortiz. ![]() before being eliminated after a pair of tight losses to Mississippi State and Texas. 2021, however, was a magical year, as the Cavaliers caught fire in May and made it all the way to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb. Virginia baseball’s 20 seasons were forgettable, with the 2019 team missing the postseason and the 2020 season starting strong before being canceled. Graduate student first baseman and pitcher Devin Ortiz - Baseball As Finals Weekend approaches, it feels right to honor the most successful of the school’s graduating athletes who made these last four years so special for Virginia athletics.
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