By Kellie Lagoy
Fall athletes are packing up their gear as their seasons have come to an end. Virginia Wesleyan’s teams impressed the crowds this season, and it is sad to see them have to end.
Women’s volleyball was probably the most impressive of all. They set a program record for wins with their 24-10 overall record. This team showed their skill every step of the way, and they powered through tough matches to dominate almost every single team. Besides their very final game, they never dropped more than one set when they won. They had a heart-breaking loss to the Washington and Lee Generals that went all five sets.
This team should be so proud of themselves for the hard work they put into their incredible season. Their positivity and work ethic shined brightly on court, and they were a thrill to watch whenever they played at home. It’ll be sad to see star player, senior Alex Lambert, part ways this year. On the bright side, head coach Andrea Hoover recruited an incredibly talented freshman class. The youth and new Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) tournament experience will only add to their talent come next season.
The men’s soccer team also has a right to hold their head up high despite getting knocked out of the ODAC tournament. This team had a spectacular season worth talking about. They finished their season 11-4-4 overall. They accomplished this being led by senior Isaac Arrington.
Arrington lead the team with seven goals and five assists. He also finished third in the conference for goals scored. This player will truly be missed for his talent and his presence on and off the field. Including Arrington, the Marlins will be losing five other seniors. Losing the experienced talent won’t tarnish their roster. They have a good mix of the remaining classes to have good experience all around.
Women’s soccer finished their season 12-7-2, and they had an impressive run in the ODAC tournament. Sadly, they lost in overtime to the Lynchburg Hornets. This team worked hard all season to earn a spot in the tournament, and they pushed hard to get where they went.
The youth of this team lead the team in scoring. Freshman Lauren Shular lead the team with 9 goals and five assists. Sophomore Annie Hartman was second in goals with eight, and tied for assists with junior Kristen Cherry at five. This team has an amazing chance to perform this well again next season because the underclassmen are performing so well. The team is made up of 10 freshmen, and they will only be losing six seniors this season.
Though women’s field hockey didn’t end their season quite as planned, they still showed that they came to fight. They finished their season 4-13, and only one game seemed to be a blowout. Every other game they played with ferocity. In the beginning of their season they managed to hold nationally ranked Mary Washington to only a 1-0 win.
Senior Skyler Weaver led the team with seven goals, and sophomore Caitlyn Hogge led the team with three assists. Most impressive is the senior goalkeeper, Lindsay Baker. She had an astonishing 122 saves this season and a .792 save percentage. Baker impressed the right people this season, because she will be competing in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division III Senior All-Star Game. She was one of only 59 players selected nationwide, and she is only the third Marlin to have been bestowed this honor.
The men’s and women’s cross country team also had an interesting season this fall. Both teams are quite talented, but one name seemed to dominate the news. Senior Liz Wade continued to make her name known in the realm of the ODAC. She finally earned her well-deserved first team all-conference title after finishing seventh of 94 in the ODAC meet with a tie of 24:54.2.
All the Marlins fall sports had something to bring to the table this season, and they are all ready to compete next fall.
