With the end of the spring sports season and the school year, teams celebrated their seniors, whose high school athletic careers have come to an end. The senior athletes were honored by their teammates and athletic programs for their commitment and hard work over the past four years. Each game was attended by family members, friends and coaches coming to celebrate the graduating seniors.
The first senior game was on April 23 on the NDB sand courts as the beach volleyball team celebrated their seven seniors. Ashley Turner, Karly Bordin, Julia Breckenridge, Anna Ansari, Kayla Messick, Caroline Kaloust and Francesca Arbelaez played against Crystal Springs Uplands HS in one of their last competitions of the season. Teammates gave each player flowers and a personalized poster to celebrate their accomplishments.
The thirteen lacrosse seniors – Caitlin Degnan, Annie Lester, Kaylee Ellerhorst, Maggie Mahlman, Lauren Pope, Nora Ames, Mandy Roche, Madeleine King, Olivia Caron, Carly Sullivan, Ryann Leyte-Vidal, Alexa Herrera and Izzy Skirboll – were honored in their game on April 24 against Mercy B. The team had players who had been involved in the sport since they were young as well as those who joined as upperclassmen, and it was a special day to celebrate their time on the team, regardless of how long they had been playing.
“I feel sad that I’m leaving all my teammates behind, but also happy because I get to play lacrosse in college and it’s a new adventure,” said Caron, who is committed to Allegheny College to play lacrosse.
The softball team celebrated seniors Katie Johnson, Ava Chung and Malaina Alifano on May 8 in their game against Los Altos HS. NDB came out victorious after a hard-fought match, winning 10-3. Two of the seniors will go on to play the sport in college, and the game looked back on their careers at NDB over the past four years.
“Playing in two CCS Championships for Notre Dame, even though we lost, was really fun. I’m going to miss playing with my teammates and meeting people in different grades, and it’s sad that this chapter is coming to a close,” said Johnson, who will be playing softball at the College of San Mateo next year.
The swimming and diving team honored seniors Izzy Sucre, Mallory Moore, Shpresa Knowles and Ilaria Dell’Abbate on April 17 in a competition at Castilleja HS.
Track and field recognized seniors Reese Lancaster, Cailin Thompson, Megan Worry, Amber Holloway, Helena Morell, Jessica Ai and Perry Stevick at their end of the season banquet on May 13. Speeches were made about each athlete to make for a sentimental moment, despite the fact that it happened away from the track.
Whether they had been playing a sport since childhood or just decided to join during high school, it is sad to say goodbye. These moments can be bittersweet for seniors as it is the last time that most of them will be playing their respective sports. However, it is also a great time to reflect on all of their experiences as student-athletes and become excited for their upcoming collegiate journeys.
