With the 2025-26 school year underway at NDB, so are is the fall sports season. These fall sports include cross country, flag football, golf, tennis, volleyball, water polo, and of course, the yearlong sports, cheer and pom. While these sports are filled with excitement and fun for the student athletes, there is a level of intensity with it. Games are held during the school week, and practices are almost every day, which is very demanding. Students and coaches are eager and determined to win, and they are excited to continue developing throughout the fall season. From the pool, to the field, to the green, coaches are eager to improve their teams and the comradery among the groups, with practices, games, and matches, starting quickly as the school year gets into full swing and athletes begin to adapt to their new and busy schedule.
“It is going great,” said Flag Football Head Coach Will Evans about the season so far. “We have a really fun bunch of girls that are working hard and looking to compete. I’m looking forward to the growth of the team and the way that they compete on the field, and how they are going to change from the first day of practice to the last day … The student athletes, the community, and the parents make it so special because they really care. They put in their all, and they all have fun doing it.”
With practices almost every day, each team is preparing for big games and tournaments. While this schedule is demanding, it is essential for each team to improve and grow their abilities and connections. Tennis, for example, participated in the annual Clovis tournament over the weekend of September 6 and 7. They placed third overall and, despite not coming out on top, they were able to build connections and come together as a team.
“So far, I’m really liking the tennis season. We’ve been doing a lot of drills to get better, have better forehands and backhands, and it has just been really great,” said junior Minna Al-Dabbagh. “I can’t wait [for our first game], and I also can’t wait to go against Sacred Heart, because my friend goes here.” During the same weekend, the volleyball team traveled to Huntington Beach, where they participated in their first tournament of the season.
Additionally, water polo held its first game and participated in its first tournament of the season on Friday, September 12, and Saturday, September 13, respectively. Its coaches are Head Coach Scott Ray and Assistant Coach Wendy Connolly.
“We’ve got some fresh people that have never played water polo until high school, so they’re learning, they’re gaining their strength and endurance, and they’re learning how to play the game,” said Connolly. “I am looking forward to seeing the strength and growth that the water polo players show this season because, come swim season, I’ll be able to work off what they’ve been doing with water polo.”
Water polo participated in the Sierra Shootout and, as Connolly said, it tested their endurance and strength, as well as their ability to work together as a team. As the fall sports season progresses and the teams continue to improve and create bonds, practices and games will test the coaches and student athletes, providing numerous opportunities for NDB athletes to win and for other students to support their friends at games, either home or away. While there is still a long fall season to go, participants in each sport are excited for their season ahead, whether it’s their first season or their last, and are ready for the fierce competitions.
