Two weeks into the school year, the Belles are preparing for the fall athletics season to begin across all of its fall sports teams. In the coming weeks, competition will begin for cross country, golf, soccer, tennis and volleyball.
Saint Mary’s cross country will run its first event Sept. 1 at the Tri-Meet with Olivet and Albion. The Belles did not participate in the Tri-Meet in 2016, but they did boast 16 personal-best times last season. Ten different runners with top-five finishes for the team. They hope to carry this depth into 2017 to replicate such success.
As for golf, the ladies have already begun their season, appearing at two competitions in August alone. The Belles finished in a tie for second at the Cross Town Rivalry, shooting a 334. Junior Taylor Kehoe finished second overall, which was the best finish for the Belles. Next up for the Belles was a match play tournament against Bethel at Signal Point Golf Club, in which Bethel took the win. Saint Mary’s now looks forward to the Olivet Labor Day Invite this coming weekend hosted at the Medalist Golf Club. After finishing second in MIAA standings in the 2016–2017 season, the Belles face a busy fall season with more challenges ahead.
The soccer team will first take the field at home versus North Park on Sept. 1. The Belles are approaching a difficult opening weekend, featuring multiple games against North Park and Manchester, as well as an alumnae match. In 2016, Saint Mary’s opened their season with their largest opening win in five years, taking down Manchester 4-1. However, the Belles struggled overall last season, as that was their only win of the season.
The Belles kick off their tennis season in a matter of weeks, commencing with an alumnae match on Sept. 9. Afterward, they will travel to the ITA Regional with matches set against Oberlin. A successful fall season this year could make for Saint Mary’s 11th consecutive season with at least 10 victories.
Finally, the volleyball team will attend the Otterbein/Capital Tournament to kick off its season on Sept. 1. The Belles went 15-14 last season, and are looking to keep above 0.500 this season as well.
With a jam-packed September of sports, Saint Mary’s is primed for auspicious fall seasons across the board.
