Wellesley volleyball, golf, field hockey, soccer and cross country have each had a strong start to their seasons, with many athletes earning awards for their consistently outstanding performances.
Wellesley volleyball improved their record to 8-0 this week thanks to a hard-fought win over Worcester Polytechnic Institute on Sept. 22. Lauren Gedney ’21 had a career-high 25 kills, Michelle Li ’19 had 61 assists and Samantha Hoang ’19 had a team-high 20 digs. Yasmin Reece ’19, who recently earned her sixth New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Athlete of the Week award, also walked away with 24 kills.
Wellesley golf placed second at the Ann S. Batchelder Invitational two weekends ago, led by Ryan MacVicar ’20 and Ella Warburg ’22 who each earned Liberty League Women’s Golf Performer of the Week awards and finished in the top-five players. The team posted 306 strokes over the two-day tournament—the team’s best round in tournament history. Last weekend, the team placed fourth at the Mount Holyoke College Invitational following strong performances by Audrey Lin ’22 and Ella Warburg who finished 14th and 18th, respectively. Their next tournament is the Williams Invitational on Sept. 29-30.
Field hockey dropped to 3-4 on the season in their recent loss to Smith College in a NEWMAC match on Sept. 22. The final score was 3-1, with the single goal scored by senior Arielle Mitropoulos. Smith beat Wellesley in shots, 14-1, and penalty corners, 10-1, to push by the Blue after being tied at the 26:35 minute mark. Field hockey’s next match is at Bowdoin on Sept. 27, where they hope to regain their momentum and push their record to 4-4.
Wellesley cross country competed at the UMASS Dartmouth Invitational on Sept. 15, pulling off a fifth-place team finish in the varsity 5K. The Blue had three top-50 finishers: Ariana Marks ’22, Grace Cowles ’21 and Taylor Mahlandt ’20. The team’s next race is this Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Roy Griak Invitational in Minnesota.
Wellesley soccer was defeated 1-0 by Mount Holyoke College in their recent match on Sept. 22. Mount Holyoke scored their goal early in the first half, and despite Blue’s best efforts and outshooting them 11-9 after the half, Holyoke was able to hold onto their lead. Wellesley players wore rainbow laces during the game to support United Soccer Coaches Second Annual Play with Pride Week, showing their support of athletes and coaches of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The Blue, now 3-4 on the season, looks forward to hosting Brandeis on Sept. 25.
