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Feb. 26, 2004

The Wildcats (2-4) will play five games over a three-day weekend in the Lone Star State, beginning with the Virginia Cavaliers of the Atlantic Coast Conference on Friday, Feb. 27 at 9:00 a.m.

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THE NOTEBOOK

DiBernardi Wins No. 500 in Chattanooga

For the most part, Villanova's trip to the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga was a disappointment, as the 'Cats dropped four of six games and managed just nine runs in six games. But Wildcat head coach Maria DiBernardi will always have one fond memory of her team's stay in Chattanooga. The 20th year head coach secured her 500th victory as a Division I head coach on Saturday, Feb. 21 against the Samford Bulldogs. Junior Shannon Williams picked up the victory with a complete game effort, and Ricci Lugo and Kristen Strait knocked home Nova's two runs, as the 'Cats won a 2-1 game. DiBernardi is the 34th active coach in Division I to achieve the milestone, and the third in the Big East (Connecticut's Karen Mullins and Rutgers' Pat Willis are the others). DiBernardi's career record now stands at 501-344-7 (.593). It is also worth noting that Villanova associate head coach Linda Goss has been by DiBernardi's side for 18 of the past 20 seasons.

Where in the World is Villanova Softball?

This weekend, Villanova's travels take the Wildcats to Houston, Texas for the 2004 Cougar Classic at the University of Houston. Last weekend the 'Cats were in Tennessee, and their spring break trip will take them to Tampa, Fla. In Houston, Villanova will play five games in three days, beginning with a 9:00 a.m. contest against the Virginia Cavaliers on Friday, Feb. 27. The 'Cats will also match up with BYU, Mississippi State, Houston and Pittsburgh. The level of competition is much improved this weekend, which means the 'Cats will have to step up their level of play. The six teams from the Sonic Challenge (in which Villanova went 2-4) have a combined record of 33-27 (.550), while Nova's five opponents in Houston bring with them a combined record of 38-17 (.691). The Wildcats will be seeking revenge against Virginia, to whom they lost, 4-2, in the Sonic Challenge. Villanova's game against Pittsburgh will not count towards Big East Conference play.

Killer Weekend for Koller

First baseman Kari Koller was Villanova's top offensive force at the Sonic Challenge. The junior finished the weekend 7-for-16 (.438), with two doubles, two runs scored and two RBI. Most importantly, Koller hit her first home run of the season in Villanova's game against Chattanooga on Sunday, Feb. 22. The second inning blast was the only run of the day, and gave the 'Cats and Shannon Williams a 1-0 win. Koller entered her junior season with a .274 career average and nine home runs. Last season, the Rocklin, Calif. native set the single season school record for fielding percentage by a first basemen with a .993 effort (392 putouts, 15 assists and three errors).

The Ace of the Club

Junior Shannon Williams made sure there were no questions about her role on this year's Villanova pitching staff. Williams has established herself as the ace of an inexperienced staff trying to deal with the loss of Theresa Hornick. At the Sonic Challenge, Williams went 2-1 with a 1.44 ERA in the circle, getting stronger as the weekend went along. She appeared in four games, starting three, and pitching complete games in all three of her starts. The Macungie, Pa. native allowed just 13 hits in 24.1 innings of work, striking out 17 against four walks. During her first two seasons on the Main Line, Williams compiled a 25-6 record to go along with a 2.01 ERA, which ranks fifth all-time on the VU ERA list.

A Good First Impression

Highly-touted freshman infielder Sheri Donley (Orange, Calif./Villa Park) made her Villanova debut in Chattanooga, Tenn. from Feb. 20-22, and she made sure her presence was felt. Donley hit her first collegiate home run in her sixth at-bat as a Wildcat, during Nova's 4-1 loss to Purdue. It was one of two hits for Donley on the weekend, the other one a double. She started all six games, and successfully handled 30 of 31 chances at second base.

Wildcats Picked Second in Preseason Poll

The Villanova softball team was tabbed for second place in the conference by a vote of the league's head coaches. The 'Cats lost three seniors (Sara Carlson, Theresa Hornick, Kriste Romano) from a team that finished third in the league's regular season standings last year and advanced to the title game of the annual conference tournament. The Wildcats received 83 points and three first place votes in the poll, second only to defending champion Notre Dame.

2004 Preseason Softball Coaches' Poll

Team			Points
1.  Notre Dame (8)	95
2.  Villanova (3)		83
3.  Boston College	74
4.  Seton Hall (1)		70
5.  St. John's		55
     Virginia Tech		55
7.  Syracuse		50
8.  Connecticut		48
9.  Rutgers		43
10. Pittsburgh		20
11. Providence		12