![Saints wrap up successful fall athletics season in the age of COVID]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1604004289/sms/mam7xht8bwk8kvtridvt/CrossCountryTISACmeetSRDayoct2220202.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1604004289/sms/mam7xht8bwk8kvtridvt/CrossCountryTISACmeetSRDayoct2220202.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1604004289/sms/mam7xht8bwk8kvtridvt/CrossCountryTISACmeetSRDayoct2220202.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1604004289/sms/mam7xht8bwk8kvtridvt/CrossCountryTISACmeetSRDayoct2220202.jpg","width":1200}])
Saint Mary’s athletics wraps up a successful, meaningful, and fun fall season this week that included modifications for health and safety in the age of COVID-19. The Saints were able to safely compete interscholastically in tennis, golf, and cross country, while the field hockey and volleyball teams forged on with skill building, practice, scrimmages, and team bonding each afternoon on campus.
The season has culminated with recent senior day celebrations for seniors and their families in all sports and conference and state tournaments and meets for tennis, golf, and cross-country teams.
Varsity tennis enjoyed a successful season with numerous wins and qualified for the NCISAA state tournament. Junior varsity tennis enjoyed another winning season.
Varsity golf ended the regular season with an exciting one-stroke win over Cary Academy. The team competed in the Triangle Independent Schools Athletic Conference tournament, and sophomore Vivian Shillingsburg ’23, who led the team with a 43.1 scoring average, qualified for the NCISAA state championship held this week at Bryant Park in Greensboro, placing her among the top 25 independent school golfers in the state. She earned her trip to states with a round of 83 at the TISAC conference championship.
The cross-country team caps off the season by competing in both the TISAC conference meet at Wake Med Park in Cary last week and at the NCISAA state meet at McAlpine Park this weekend.
Varsity volleyball wrapped up a season of hard work - both in a well-ventilated Bacon Gym and on the outdoor courts on the athletic practice field - with a thrilling Blue-White inter-squad match on Senior Day 2020.
The Athletics Department, teams, and coaches also led a fundraising drive and donned pink uniform accessories during October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month to support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
Fall sports will be celebrated with the athletics awards celebration November 18.
The fall 2020 season brought victories and life lessons large and small – from simply being able to safely participate in sports during the pandemic to the exciting competitions, challenging practices, big wins, close losses, exercise outdoors in the fresh air, representing our school with pride, and team camaraderie, fun, and friendships. With no fans allowed for the most part (with the exception of senior parents on senior days) team members learned to rely on and cheer each other on even more than usual, creating strong team bonds that will always be remembered.
Kudos, to the Athletics Department, coaches, and team members on masking up, taking the field, and persevering through an unusual season while carrying on Saint Mary’s proud athletics tradition during a global pandemic. Go, Saints!
Mary Virginia Swain '77C
Director of Public Relations and Publications
