Weekly Athletic Update, 9/19/17

The fall season has kicked off in grand form with the Boys Varsity Soccer team on a roll. The team has posted three consecutive shutouts over ISL foes, BB&N, St. Sebastian’s and most recently, Thayer Academy. A stingy defense and an opportunistic frontline have been the keys to date as they gear up for Wednesday’s road test against a strong Choate Rosemary Hall team, guided by former WA captain, Charlie Fuentes.

 

Girls Varsity Soccer picked up where they left off a year ago, slipping past a determined BB&N squad on Saturday in the sweltering heat of New Balance Field. A late goal at the 00:56-minute mark of the 2nd stanza by Nilou Asdigha (assist to Ruby Diodati) propelled the home-town team to a rewarding opening game victory!

 

Junior stalwart Coco Arcand finished 2nd overall at the Tabor Invitational and three teammates (Gabby Gavala, Gabby Conte and Fiona Price) finished in the top 10 as the WA Girls Cross Country team debuted impressively on the road. The team placed 2nd – behind 2016 NEPSAC Champion Thayer – in the 5-team competition.

 

On the boys’ side, veteran WA harriers, Zhangeldy Rakhimbekov and Luca Vining-Recklitis led the way as the team placed 4th in the 5-team Invitational. Saturday’s home meet at New Balance will test the Hilltopper squad as Williston, NMH, and Suffield Academy will provide the opposition. Race time is 2:30 or just after the completion of the girls’ race which starts at 2:00 pm.

 

Angela Scumaci registered 7 aces as the Volleyball team travelled to the Rivers School on Wednesday and came away with an impressive 3-1 road win. Attempting to post back-to-back road wins, the squad ventured to BB&N on Saturday and battled the hosts in a 5-set contest, losing the final set 15-11 and the match, 3-2. Co-captain Michelle Yoon stepped up with an impressive statistical performance, playing every minute of the grueling match and registering 15 digs, 6 kills, and 2 aces on the afternoon. The road warriors play one last contest outside the friendly confines of Daniels gym this Wednesday (at Deerfield) before returning home on Saturday to square off against Suffield Academy.

 

Shelia Gadbois scored three goals leading the visiting Hilltopper Field Hockey team past Beaver Country Day School in their opener last Wednesday. On Saturday the team travelled to perennial power, the Brooks School, and virtually played to a standoff before dropping a 1-0 decision. Goalie Liv Valery was outstanding in net as she kept Brooks at bay with a 20-save performance! The team travels to the Rivers School on Wednesday prior to opening their home slate Saturday afternoon against Southfield School at 12 noon.

 

The lone sub-varsity team who saw action – the JV Volleyball team – split their two matches dropping a straight set encounter with Noble & Greenough and turning the tide on BB&N with an identical 3-0 whitewash!

 

Congratulations again to Donald “Dee” Rowe ’47 who recently received the John W. Bunn Award from the National Basketball Association Hall of Fame. Dee received this lifetime achievement award in Springfield during the Hall of Fame Induction weekend and a host of Worcester Academy friends and family joined a legion of Who’s Who in the world of College and Professional Basketball to honor Coach Rowe. Dee remains a pillar of strength to a generation of WA alums who hold his friendship and his zest for life as a guiding light even to this day!

 

 

Michelle Yoon ’18 – Girls’ Volleyball