Does your cat shed hair excessively?

Our black cat sheds like crazy, even though she technically isn't a long haired cat. Any time you start petting her you wind up with a wad of hair in your hands. I don't know how the heck she grows so much hair, I could probably fill a trash bag with it when I'm combing her. Initially I thought it was just a summer thing, as the weather started to get warmer, but she seems to be doing this year round. It's kind of annoying because I have to keep washing my hands after I pet her, otherwise it gets in my eyes, in my mouth, etc...