UVA women’s basketball cancels remainder of season

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WWBT) - The Virginia women’s basketball team has cancelled the remainder of its 2020-2021 season. The program announced the decision on Thursday, citing health and safety concerns.

An athletic department release said that the decision was made with the overall health and safety of the student-athletes in mind. Not only have the Cavaliers’ postponed six games due to COVID-19 within their program, but injuries have left Virginia with a scarce roster, which has impacted the team’s ability to practice and compete safely.

Another one of UVA’s contests against George Washington was called off due to issues within the Colonials’ program.

“We have the pleasure of coaching a very resilient group of young women who have fought through injuries, a strict COVID-19 protocol, and all the mental battles that come with it,” said head coach Tina Thompson in a released statement. “So, the decision to end our season mid-stream comes with great difficulty. As difficult as it is to end our season in this manner, it is a necessary one. The health and safety of our student-athletes will always be the number one priority. We will continue to focus on their overall well-being and prepare to resume competition in the fall.”

Virginia becomes the second ACC women’s program to opt out of the 2020-2021 campaign. Duke announced that it was cancelling its season on Christmas Day after playing four games, becoming the first Power 5 men’s or women’s team to walk away from the court for the year.

The Wahoos had not played since December 13 and sat at 0-5 on the season.

UVA says that it will continue the current competition schedules for all other varsity sports, adhering to the ACC’s health and safety protocols.

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