CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – 2024 Olympian and UVA Alumna Kate Douglass set a world record in the 50-meter Freestyle on Friday at the Tyr Pro Swim event at the Indiana University Natatorium.
Douglass headlined Virginia’s performances among the 27-person contingent representing the University. The swimmers consisted of current student athletes, alumnae and members of the University of Virginia pro-training group.
In the 50-meter final, Douglass was joined by another star of the 2024 Paris Olympics and decorated former Virginia swimmer Gretchen Walsh, with whom she shared the American record in the event, 23.91. One of the foremost talents on head coach Todd DeSorbo’s current UVA squad, Anna Moesch, also joined Douglass and Walsh in the final.
Douglass started strong in the final and beat out both Walsh and Moesch to finish with a world record time of 23.59. Walsh finished second with a 23.78, with both she and Douglass beating out the American record time. Moesch completed the all-Cavalier podium with a third place.
Douglass’ mark added to four goals won by the Hoos in the first two days of competition.
Elsewhere across the event, two current Cavaliers also took medals on Friday. Rising fourth year Tess Howley notched bronze in the 200-meter butterfly and rising third-year David King earned a silver medal in the 200-meter backstroke, an event in which he won the 2026 ACC Championship.
Men’s soccer
Two Cavalier alumni made their World Cup debuts as the 2026 tournament continues its second slate of round robin matchups.
Forward Derek Etienne Jr. lined up on the left wing for Haiti against Brazil on Friday. Derek’s sister Danielle also played for Haiti in the 2023 Women’s World Cup, and both his father Derek Sr., and his uncle Darrell suited for the Haiti men’s team as well. Thus far, he’s been capped 50 times with Haiti, twice in this World Cup.
Etienne has notched eight goals and ten assists through his 50 caps. He is yet to register on the scoresheet, and Haiti has failed to earn any points in the group stage. Etienne and Team Haiti will have one final shot to score points in the group stage Wednesday against Morocco. The match is at 6 p.m. Etienne played for Virginia in 2015 and was named to the 2015 ACC All-Freshman squad.
Defender Joe Bell also made his World Cup debut in this tournament after 32 caps for New Zealand. Bell played all 90 minutes in central defense against Iran on Monday, June 15, and against Egypt on Sunday. New Zealand drew with Iran 2-2 and fell to Egypt 3-1. The All-Whites have one group stage match remaining, against Belgium, Friday. Bell played for Virginia from 2017-2020 in the midfield. He was the 2019 ACC midfielder of the year.
Track and Field
UVA first-year Cassie Callis put up 5,318 points in the Heptathlon at the USATF U20 Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, on Friday. Callis’ mark earned her third place and puts her seventh best all-time in the Virginia program record books.
Fellow first-year Ava Rice set a 13.55 mark in the 100-meter hurdles to put her name sixth all-time in Virginia history for that event.
Volleyball
Virginia volleyball released its 2026 schedule last week.
The Cavaliers will open their regular season at home against American and Liberty. They will then face William & Mary and VCU at the VCU Invitational, and then Alabama at ACC vs SEC Showdown at the Net in Charlottesville.
Their remaining non-conference opponents are UCF, George Washington, and Ohio State.
Virginia’s conference home opponents are Duke, UNC, Miami, Florida State, Louisville, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, SMU, Boston College, and Virginia Tech.
On the road, they will battle Clemson, Georgia Tech, California, Stanford, Syracuse, Boston College, Wake Forest, NC State, Florida State, and the road end of the Commonwealth Clash.
Basketball
After 17 years as the strength and conditioning coach for UVA men’s basketball, Mike Curtis is taking a job with the Memphis Grizzlies. Curtis will act as the Head of Player Health and Performance. Following his career as a player at UVA, the Richmond native played for the Grizzlies in the NBA from 2002-08. Memphis went 25-57 in the 2025-26 season, finishing 13th in the Western Conference.
Women’s Soccer
Virginia women’s soccer released its schedule for next season Monday afternoon. The Cavaliers’ 2026 campaign will start with a match against Northwestern, kicking off a six-game homestand. The ‘Hoos will play conference home games against Miami, North Carolina, Syracuse, Clemson, and Louisville, and road games against Wake Forest, Notre Dame, SMU, Virginia Tech, and Duke.
