Emma Narvaez
It is a Saint Maur tradition to celebrate every senior on each sports team during their final game or event of the season. Although the seniors are aware of this every year, the team typically attempts to surprise the seniors with signed letters, flowers, or posters to congratulate them on all their hard work they have put into the sport. This year, this enjoyable tradition continued!
The last varsity girls volleyball game of the season took place on November 2, 2022 against Yokohama International School, and was definitely a thrilling one. Before the excitement began, however, Sarah (G11) hosted the senior celebration for the one senior on the team, Addisyn. The volleyball girls crafted a decorative sign for her, which was hung on the wall of the gym for everyone to admire. She was also given a yellow flower, along with the seniors on the Yokohama International School team.
After the wholehearted senior celebration came to an end, the whistle was blown, and the game commenced! The team began strongly, with a first set of 27 to 25 and a second set of 25 to 21. Along with the team’s beaming energy while playing, their catchy chant with the phrase “pump it up” immersed the audience into the game and had adrenaline running through everyone. There is a strong sense of teamwork evident in every game, with each player encouraging each other after every hit or miss. Unfortunately, the team lost the third set with a score of 15 to 25; however, they persevered throughout the fourth set and put forth their strongest efforts. They were able to finish with a score of 22 to 25, meaning the fifth set would determine the winner. Each player had a strong look of determination on their face and the audience motivated them with loud cheers. Abruptly, Yokohama International School took the win, finishing only two points ahead with a score of 15 to 17. Overall, this was an extremely close game and encapsulated the energy the volleyball girls radiated throughout the whole season.
The girls varsity volleyball coach, Coach Gulayets, would like to congratulate each player on their efforts throughout this season.
“The varsity girls finished off their season giving it their all and working together as a team to finish strong. The score results may not have been what we were aiming for but the result of growth each athlete gained over the season was the real achievement. The team completed the season with no serious injuries, a huge improvement from the previous season, and with more wins than previous years. Each student athlete should be congratulated for the hard work and dedication they gave to the team which represented Saint Maur with pride. It was an exhausting and emotional season for us all, but especially for our only senior Addisyn. Addisyn said it best, this team became a family in the short time we had together. It is beautiful to see young women working together and supporting each other to achieve a common goal, a focus I hope will live on in the varsity girls volleyball team for years to come. Congratulations to the team on a successful season and keep an eye out for the varsity team next year as it will be a competitive and exciting team to watch!”
On November 5, 2022, the high school cross country team also celebrated their seniors during the final race of the season: the Kanto Invitationals, involving visiting teams from Canada, Taiwan, and Guam! The middle school and high school teams met bright and early at 6:30 in the morning for a prompt departure at 6:45 from school to Tama Hills. I’m sure the seniors will all miss this memorable part of cross country! As usual, the middle school team ran 3 kilometers and the high school team ran 5 kilometers. By now, the team has grown accustomed to this long, hilly course and it was great to see improvements in everyone’s time.
At the end of the races and award ceremony, the cross country team had a relaxing lunch to commemorate the end of the season. Additionally, Akari (G10), Yura (G11), and myself (G11) presented the senior celebration. The four seniors who came to the race included Jessica, Shikoh, Kyo, and Jun, and were given handmade posters signed by the team and a flower. The posters were decorated with an image of the running chip each runner is required to tie to their shoe during races and a photo collage of each runner. Seniors Kole and Alexie, who were unable to come to the race, were also a part of the cross country team and were given posters as well. Cross country is quite a strenuous sport, but the team remained very committed and endeavored through each race.
A message from Mr. Crespy, Ms. Onions, and Ms. Karpinsky:
“We would like to recognise the entire squad for their efforts and dedication this season, with special consideration for our Seniors, who gave their best over the five races they ran at Tama Hills and Isogo bases. It was a little disappointing that our usual course was not available; it is hallowed grounds for any member of the team and it would have been so meaningful for the Seniors to run those hilly 5km at least one last time in their final year of high school. But true to form, they showed nothing but resilience and sportsmanship under the captainship of Jessica and Jun. Our Seniors will be missed, but we congratulate them on their Saint Maur Cross Country years and we look forward to hearing about their athletic feats in college!”
A satisfying volleyball and cross country season came to a close and the seniors will be missed by their teams terribly. Best of luck to the class of 2023! Additionally, congratulations to everyone who participated in sports this fall season!
Emma Narvaez