January 29, 2012

Virginia field hockey players Paige Selenski and Michelle Vittese were honored at halftime of the UVa-Florida State basketball game Sunday as part of National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

Selenski and Vittese were members of the United States' first gold medal team in field hockey at the 2011 Pan American Games held in October in Guadalajara, Mexico. The Americans upset world No. 1 Argentina 4-2 in the championship match to automatically qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games. Both Cavaliers contributed with a goal apiece in the gold medal game.

Selenski, a three-time All-American, and Vittese, a two-time All-American, both redshirted the 2011 season for Virginia to compete with the U.S. National Team. They will return to Charlottesville in the fall for their final season of eligibility.

National Girls and Women in Sports Day brings national attention to the achievements of female athletes and to issues facing girls and women in sport. The event was co-sponsored by the University of Virginia Athletic Department and the University of Virginia Women's Center.