Fall sports preview

By Ria Patel

​Volleyball, cross country, and soccer are kick starting their seasons. Read more about the new goals and leaders of SMS fall sports teams.

Photo by Casey Crenny, Assistant Athletic Director.

As our school year begins to kick into full gear, so do our fall sports. The cross country team, soccer team, and volleyball team worked hard over the summer on practices and scrimmages and  the first games of the season occurred in the past two weeks.

The fall sports teams are excited to start off the new year on the right foot by meshing as a team. The cross country team actually began team building before the school year even started: the girls and Coach Hensarling spent a night at St. Columba doing fun activities and getting to know each other.

“I think this year we’re taking it up a notch and pushing ourselves ... and we’ve also become more bonded because we did the cross country sleepover,” explains Chloe Webster (11) as she reflects on the last few weeks of practice. “I am really excited for the year, the team is really able to count on each other throughout and after practice.”

Elizabeth Moody (11), a veteran member of the cross country team, recently contracted strep throat and mono, and her ability to perform on the cross country team this season will be determined in the next few weeks.

The soccer team also has some specific goals in mind for this year. “Our goal this season is to make it to the top three so that we can make it to state, and the seniors are doing a great job of motivating us to reach it,” says Sophie Droke (11), manager of the soccer team this year. The soccer team went to Nashville to do a few practice scrimmages the weekend before school and have already played Briarcrest and St. Agnes this season. The results of the Briarcrest game were 3-1 Briarcrest, but the SMS players played very hard. They would have had a chance of winning; however, the game had to be called at halftime because of an incoming thunderstorm. The game against St. Agnes ended 4-1 St. Agnes; regardless, the Turkeys continue to hone their skills to grab some big wins later this season.

However, the soccer team has also suffered a few injuries. “Celia Stem rolled her ankle and was out for ... a week and Lizzie H[igareda]. has a stress fracture in her hip.” says Droke.

Finally, the volleyball team has already started their game season, and although they lost to both Houston High and St. Benedict at Auburndale, they continue to work hard. The volleyball team is actually in a unique position right now because they only have one senior player. “Simone Ivy is the only senior and she’s a great leader and a really strong volleyball player,” says Kalen Ingram (11), a veteran volleyball player. “We’re excited this year about the new people on our team and our potential. Our goal this year is to make it to state!” she continues. Although Simone suffered an injury last week and will be in a boot for at least one more week, she will be able to continue for the rest of the season.

Pep Club president Kate Stukenborg (12) emphasizes the importance of school spirit, “Every time there is a big group of supporters at a game, one of the players will talk to me afterwards about how they really think it helped them and how much they loved having people cheer them on or even make them laugh in the middle of a long or tough game.” 

Check out the student council/pep club social media to stay up to date on when and where to show up to games.