Spike! Run! Swim! All three of Dominican’s fall sports teams strove to achieve their team goals. The Volleyball Team led the pack by spiking their way through season and making it to the Bi-District Rounds of the Volleyball Playoffs.
Following the Volleyball Team’s lead, the Cross Country Team had a great season and ran all the way to the State Competition, placing fourth. Soon afterwards, the Swim Team closed a rewarding season, taking fourth place at the State Competition in November.
The Swim Team Performs Swimmingly
On Nov. 16-17, the Dominican Swim Team competed the Allstate Sugar Bowl/LHSAA State Swim Meet in Sulphur State Competition resulting in the team placing fourth. Senior Hannah Morris also became the state champion in the 200-yard individual medley, finishing with a time of 2:08.17, just days after signing with Texas Christian University in Fort Worth.
Thirteen team members competed in state, and it was a very rewarding season overall, according to moderator Ms. Erin Baker (’95).
Gathering around one of their co-captains, the Swim Team congratulates senior Hannah Morris as she signs with Texas Christian University in Fort Worth on Nov. 14.
According to junior Morgan Gunnels, the girls always make sure to keep each other motivated and support each other throughout the ups and downs in the season. “They’re my support system,” said Gunnels. “They taught me the power of encouragement and how it can keep me motivated.”
The Cross-Country Team Races to State
The Cross-Country Team ran their way State Competition and kept running until the team placed fourth.
The team beat the odds while running at the state meet. According Ms. Ashlyn Ciolino (’07), cross-country coach, the girls went into this meet not knowing what to expect. The weather was cold. The ground was muddy. The girls had never run in conditions like this before.
Despite the weather setbacks, the girls still ran and placed fourth overall. “I’m really proud of how the girls ran in state and in that weather,” said Ms. Ciolino. “I’m very proud of how they handled that.”
The team also accomplished one of their main team goals of winning regionals with freshman Kelsey Major placing first overall with a time of 18:19, which is the second-best time for a Dominican runner. Major also placed eighth at State, accomplishing a personal goal of placing in the Top Ten. “It felt rewarding because of the work we put in during the season,” said Major.
Bump, Set, Spike into the End of the Season!
The Volleyball Team had a successful and winning season. “We had a young team and a very successful year,” said Mrs. Jessica Chatellier, volleyball coach.
All the Volleyball Team’s hard work throughout the season paid off when the team made it to the Bi-District Round of the Playoffs after a great season. The girls then advanced to the Regional Round of the Playoffs after being victorious over Barbe High School, winning a three-game match.
Although they fell to Mount Carmel Academy in the next round, they fought their hardest and had a great season. “We grew closer as a young team,” said junior Adele Hoth. “They’re my second family and they teach me how to work hard.”
- Grace DiFranco