Cavalier Women Win Seventh Straight ACC Swimming Title

Women's basketball knocks off No. 8 Louisville; softball head coach earns 300th career win

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Virginia women's swimming and diving team won their seventh consecutive ACC championship, led by standout swimmer Claire Curzan. The women's basketball team also earned an impressive road victory over No. 8 Louisville, while the softball team's head coach Joanna Hardin recorded her 300th career win.

Why it matters

The Cavalier women's swimming and diving team's continued dominance in the ACC highlights the strength of the university's athletic programs. The women's basketball team's upset win over a top-10 opponent boosts their NCAA tournament hopes, while the softball coach's milestone win demonstrates the long-term success of that program.

The details

The Virginia women's swimming and diving team scored 1,410.5 points to win the ACC championship, besting second-place Stanford. Claire Curzan was named Swimmer of the Meet after winning the 100 backstroke and setting an American record in the 200 backstroke. The men's team finished seventh, with three podium finishes including two by David King. In women's basketball, the Cavaliers earned a 74-72 road victory over No. 8 Louisville, with Romy Levy hitting the game-winning shot in the final seconds. In softball, head coach Joanna Hardin recorded her 300th career win as the team went undefeated in the Mizuno Classic.

  • The ACC Swimming & Diving Championship took place over the weekend in Atlanta.
  • The women's basketball victory over Louisville occurred on Sunday afternoon.
  • The softball team's Mizuno Classic games were played on Friday and Saturday.

The players

Claire Curzan

A standout swimmer for the Virginia women's team who was named Swimmer of the Meet at the ACC championships after winning the 100 backstroke and setting an American record in the 200 backstroke.

David King

A sophomore on the Virginia men's swimming and diving team who won gold in the 200 backstroke and contributed to a third-place finish in the 400 freestyle relay.

Romy Levy

A player for the Virginia women's basketball team who hit the game-winning shot in the final seconds to defeat No. 8 Louisville.

Joanna Hardin

The head coach of the Virginia softball team who recorded her 300th career win over the weekend.

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What’s next

The Virginia women's basketball team has two crucial final regular season games against No. 22 UNC and Virginia Tech, both at home, to solidify their NCAA tournament hopes.

The takeaway

The continued success of Virginia's athletic programs, from the dominant women's swimming and diving team to the resilient women's basketball squad and the milestone-achieving softball coach, demonstrates the university's commitment to excellence across its sports offerings.