Fall Team Updates
The Cavaliers cross-country teams both finished runner-up in an Oct. 19 TISAC meet in Cary. The girls’ team fell one point short of rival Ravenscroft, with senior Allison Hall and sophomore Audrey Crowder finishing first and second, respectively. The young guns were next in line, as eighth-grader Helen Barritt finished fifth to join Hall and Crowder on the all-conference team. Two more middle schoolers — eighth-graders Livvy Christian and Bea Roberts — placed fourth and sixth among all DA finishers (10th and 20th overall), while junior Savannah Gunch placed 16th.
On the boys side, junior Angus Cook continues to shine this year. His time of 16:37 earned him all-conference status as the fourth-place finisher. While the boys’ team score of 54 was well behind champion Cary Academy, the Cavs were able to hold off Ravenscroft for second place. The quartet of senior Connor Ennis, sophomore Nick Friga, sophomore Eli Kraskin and eighth-grader John David Spatola finished 11th through 14th to comprise the Cavs’ top five. Our cross-country teams will compete on the same course Friday afternoon in the state meet.
Varsity Girls Golf
Another year, another stellar team — and individual — banner for the girls golf team. Read more about the back-to-back state champions here.
Varsity Boys Soccer
The boys soccer team copied its season-long script in the quarterfinals of the state tournament Saturday against Christ School. Once again, the Cavs outplayed their opponent but failed to score in 80 minutes of regulation — and for the fourth time in their last seven games the Cavs went to overtime in a 0-0 tie. After 30 more minutes of scoreless play, the game went to penalty kicks. Successful conversions by senior James Robb, junior Luis Pastor-Valverde and senior Hutch Levinson — combined with a save from sophomore Jack Kelley and two misses from the Greenies — led to a Cavaliers win.
The Cavs hosted Rabun Gap in Tuesday’s semifinal, but they fell to a tough Eagles team, 3-1, in front of a great home crowd. The atmosphere was all you could ask for at a home playoff game. Thank you, fans!
Varsity Girls Tennis
The girls tennis team defeated conference rival Ravenscroft, 5-0, on Oct. 19 to advance to the state semifinals. Putting together one of their stronger performances of the season, the Cavs did not allow the Ravens any opportunities to get into the team match, starting with 8-2, 8-4, and 8-5 wins in doubles. Senior Godiya Mangai (6-3, 6-0 win on court one) and junior Zara Miller (4-6, 6-0, 10-5 win on court two) clinched the team win with all other players leading in their matches. Varsity girls tennis fans already know about the team’s 64-1 record in TISAC regular season play since 2016, but this win added to another astonishing streak: nine consecutive appearances in the state semifinals.
The Cavs would see their season come to an end Tuesday afternoon, when they fell to top-ranked Providence Day, 5-1, in the state semis.
Varsity Volleyball
The volleyball team’s season came to an end Saturday, but not without a fight. The Cavs battled fourth-seeded Wesleyan Christian to the bitter end in the state quarterfinals. After a tough 25-7 first set loss, the team stormed back to win two of the next three sets. Wesleyan jumped ahead in the fifth set and eventually took a 14-6 advantage. Little by little, the Cavs fought off eight consecutive season-ending match points to tie up the fifth set at 14-14. But DA couldn’t complete the comeback,and the Trojans escaped, 16-14, to head to the state semis.
The Cavs made it to Saturday’s quarterfinals thanks to a convincing three-set win over Metrolina Christian in Thursday’s second-round game. Senior Kate Norry turned in a dominant performance in her final game in Kirby Gym with 13 kills and five aces. Junior Amelia Fay led the Cavs with 15 digs, while ninth-grader Hayley Skye had 20 assists. Congrats to coach Erika Greene and her team on a great season!