Multiple DA Teams Gear Up for Spring Postseason Runs
By Andy Pogach, Director of Athletics
We have reached the end of the regular season, and our varsity teams have kicked off the postseason! Here are updates and schedules for the week ahead in Cavaliers Athletics:
Boys lacrosse celebrated another unbeaten conference title on April 28 with a 17–4 home victory over Ravenscroft. On May 1, the Cavs could not hold a halftime lead and lost to Christ School, 14–9. DA earned the #6 overall seed in the upcoming NCISAA (North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association) state tournament and will head to Charlotte Christian on Friday at 7 p.m. for the quarterfinal round. The Knights narrowly defeated the Cavs by one goal earlier in the year.
Girls lacrosse — after clinching at least a share of the TISAC title for the sixth consecutive season — found itself on the road for much of its last week of the regular season, traveling to Kinston on April 29 and Charlotte on May 1. The Cavs took down Arendell Parrott Academy, 16–7, before losing 19–7 to Charlotte Country Day. The Cavs lost Wednesday in their first game of the state tournament to Cannon School.
Girls soccer advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCISAA state tournament with a 1–0 home win Tuesday vs. Wesleyan Academy. Georgia Zengerle ’28 scored the winner in the second half for the Cavs, who will play at Cannon School on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. (rescheduled from Thursday) for a spot in the state semifinals. DA clinched an outright TISAC (Triangle Independent Schools Athletic Conference) championship with its 4–1 win over North Raleigh Christian on April 28 — with Eva Walker ’26 scoring a hat trick on Senior Night.
While the softball team did not claim a share of the TISAC crown on April 28, its hard-fought 4–1 loss to North Raleigh Christian Academy was a statement that the Cavs are for real and will look to dethrone the Knights in 2027. The pitching duo of Stella Teis ’27 and Meera Gupta ’30 held NRCA to just two hits, while Charlotte Gunsch ’27 had a long home run and a triple to lead DA. On May 1, the Cavs rallied from a 10–2 deficit to defeat Ravenscroft, 23–13. An incredible 16-run fourth inning was the difference. Teis (4 RBI), Ry Tarpey ’27 (3 RBI) and eighth grader Emma Asnani ’30 (3 RBI) led the way offensively. The Cavs lost Tuesday to Wesleyan Christian in the opening round of the NCISAA state tournament.
Boys tennis wrapped up a share of the TISAC crown April 30 with a 9–0 win over Ravenscroft. The Cavs’ seniors were front and center in the win over the Ravens: Eli Werness and Andy Ye teamed up for a win at first doubles and then won their singles matches, while Tyler Slomianyj won his matches at third doubles and sixth singles. On April 29, the Cavs notched a statement 9–0 win over previously unbeaten Greensboro Day. After a double sweep, the Cavs won five singles matches in straight sets, including a 6–0, 6–2 win at the top spot from David Ilut ’29. The second-seeded Cavs have a bye into the quarterfinals of the NCISAA state tournament and will host Providence Day on Friday at 6:30 p.m.
The boys golf team won the TISAC Championship — its fourth conference title in five years — by 10 strokes Tuesday over second-place NRCA. Hall Chapman ’26 carded an even-par 72 to claim the individual title and player of the year in the conference. Will Linney ’26 (74) and David Coyle ’29 (75) placed second and third in the event. The Cavs head to Rolling Hills Country Club in Monroe for the NCISAA state championship on Monday, May 11, and Tuesday, May 12.
The track and field teams celebrated Senior Day on April 29 by hosting Cary Academy and Ravenscroft. The girls (74 pts.) defeated the Chargers (54) and Ravens (29), while the boys (26) finished behind both the Chargers (72) and Ravens (69). Parker Jeffries ’27 (200m), Tate Duensing ’26 (400m) and John David Spatola ’28 (1600m) won events on the boys’ side. For the girls, individual winners included Selena Burrus ’27 (200m), Helen Barritt ’28 (800m), Alexandria Parker Horton ’27 (discus), Anya Brander ’28 (high jump) and Charlotte Gunsch ’27 (long jump and triple jump). The Cavs girls also won all three relays. The track teams will head to Cary Academy for the TISAC meet on Friday and Saturday.
Our baseball team finished the season on a high note, winning five of its final six games and outscoring their opponents 60–16 during that stretch. The Cavs took wins over Southern (Durham) High (11–1 on April 28) and Felton Grove High (9–3 on April 29) before falling May 1 to Cary Christian (5–1 on Senior Night). In the win over the Spartans, Ben Kuo ’28 and Zach Plavnik ’28 led the DA offense with 3 RBI each. In the April 29 win over the Galaxy, Ryan Smith ’29 allowed just two earned runs in six innings, while Brady Pollard ’26 was 4-4 at the plate. In the May 1 loss to the Knights, Collin Hernandez ’29 struck out six in four innings and had the Cavs’ only RBI. The Cavs’ season has ended with a record of 5–15.