Almost from the day she arrived on Grounds in 2020, Laney Rouse has been a defensive pillar for the Virginia women's soccer team. Now pursuing a master's degree in the UVA School of Medicine, Laney has helped the Hoos get off to a strong start this season.

Joanna Hardin is heading into her 10th season as head softball coach at the University of Virginia, which will host the ACC tournament at Palmer Park in May.

One of the greatest quarterbacks in UVA history, Matt Schaub played in the NFL for 17 years before retiring. He's now part of the announcing team for radio broadcasts of Cavalier football games.

A third-team All-ACC selection, shortstop Eric Becker led Virginia in hitting (.368) and RBIs (52) in 2025, and his decision to remain a Cavalier was great news for new head coach Chris Pollard.

The greatest kick-returner in UVA history, Joe Reed played for the NFL's Chargers in 2020. He's now back in the Charlottesville area—working, coaching and pursuing an MBA.

A rising sophomore at UVA, Leah Hayes won five gold medals for the United States swim team at the recent World University Games in Berlin. Hayes, who's from Sugar Grove, Ill., helped the Virginia women's team win its fifth consecutive NCAA title in 2024-25.

After missing last season while recovering from an injury, guard Jillian Brown is healthy again and eager to help the Hoos in 2025-26. Brown, who began her college career at Northwestern, is from Grand Rapids, Mich.

Of the seven new transfers in Ryan Odom's program, graduate student Malik Thomas arrived on Grounds with perhaps the impressive credentials. The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 19.9 ppg for San Francisco in 2024-25 and made the All-WCC first team.

A 6-foot-7 forward from Los Angeles, graduate student Devin Tillis transferred to UVA from UC Irvine this spring. He was named to the All-Big West second team in 2024-25.

One of the many newcomers on head coach Ryan Odom's first team at UVA, Dallin Hall is a 6-foot-4 guard from Plain City, Utah. He spent three seasons at BYU before transferring to Virginia after the 2024-25 school year.