Gael Volleyball Takes On NCVF Championships
By: Isabella Buoncristiani '28
Our Saint Mary's Volleyball teams spent the majority of their spring break in lovely Kansas City, Missouri at the annual NCVF Championships. Both of our teams played a multitude of other high ranking teams in the country. These games were played back-to-back over the course of a couple days. This championship is the conclusion of their 25-26 season.
Women's Club Volleyball-
The Gaels opened up this championship by going head-to-head with the University of Tampa. Angel Gumboc '28 was a real standout in this game as her defensive skills were pinpointed to perfection. She was an integral part of this initial victory. The final score of this match was 2-1.
Kelly Nguyen '28 beautifully embodied her role as Vice President by leading her team with grace. Playing against Brown University, Nguyen encapsulated great defense and was a solid outside hitter. She constantly bombarded the Bears and caught them off guard, which resulted in SMC's second victory.
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point was their third opponent, and this game ended in a 0-2 loss. Shortly after, the Gaels battled Utah Tech, and Kiara Schifferle '28 was the MVP of this match. As a middle blocker, she obtained impressive middle kills and blocks, taking the Gaels to a third set. The final buzzer rang and SMC was triumphant! The final tally was 2-1.
President Allison Chu '26 effortlessly stepped into her leadership role on and off the court. She not only showcased her knack for ball movement but also led her team through both loss and victory. This was prevalent after losing 0-2 against Southern Methodist University, as Chu still held her head high and encouraged her teammates to do so as well.
Closing out one of the last games of the tournament, outside hitter Theresa Helfrick '27 played a pivotal role. Rematching against our WCC rivals, the USF Dons, Helfrick was outstanding on offensive scoring and drove home another win for the Gaels. This conquest was special for two specific reasons, the first being that the Gaels ended up losing against the Dons on their Senior day so being able to conquer them at this tournament heightened their elation. Secondly, this win allowed the Gaels to enter into the Gold Bracket for the championship.
The final match was against the Colorado School of Mines, with the Gaels coming up short. Despite this, these ladies left Kansas City feeling an overwhelming sense of pride for their achievements. They beat very well-known schools by coming together as one and exuding enormous passion for the game. The energy and communication was fantastic and efficient. The Gaels accomplished major blocks, game winning kills, and tough serves to their opponents.
Overall, the Gaels placed ninth in the Gold Bracket of the Division II NCVF Championships. Acknowledging that SMC comes from an extremely competitive league and the Gaels obtained the 5th seed, it is a remarkable procurement. Placing ninth in the gold bracket out of hundreds of teams speaks to how determined and passionate they are about volleyball. Many of the ladies also received All-League honor awards for their outstanding performances. Angel Gumboc '28 and Allison Chu '26 won 2nd team for Women's Division 1AA. Theresa Helfrick '27 earned 1st team for Women's Division 1AA and an Honorable Mention for All-League Tournament in D2 as an Outside Hitter.
As the season concludes, we would like to give a big thank you to seniors Allison Chu and Mia Pearson. Both were notably committed to this team and radiated great effort that will be remembered for years to come. Good luck on your next endeavors!
Men's Club Volleyball-
The first two teams the Gaels were challenged by were Eureka College and Sacred Heart University. In these two initial matches, the Gaels did end up falling short. But, this didn't deter their drive and motivation whatsoever. By the time their third game rolled around, the Gaels seemed to have reconvened and gained momentum.
Dillon Rockwell '26 was no doubt the backbone on defense, especially when playing South Dakota State. His presence commanded the back row and kept multiple rallies afloat after successful digs. It was clear that his expertise in being able to read the court effectively and control defensive flow created many opportunities for the Gaels. The end result was a 2-0 SMC victory. But, the Gaels met South Dakota State once again for a rematch. This time, the Jackrabbits did own the court, only taking the Gaels to two sets.
The Gaels began day two of the tournament by only taking Louisiana Tech University to two sets. This victory can be highly attributed to MVP duo Andrew Carney '27 and Logan Milestone '27. Both were the most consistent players offensively, with unbreakable swings that were continuously transformed into major kills. On top of this, they skillfully blocked and controlled the front row, which disrupted opposing hitters.
Next on the chopping block was the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Leading the way in this match was Ryan Geissberger '28, Jimmy Cronin '28, and Joey Sabbah '28. All three were indestructible on defense, creating a wall at the net with back-to-back blocks. This sophomore trio wrapped up this match triumphantly. The final result was 2-1. On day two of the tournament, the Gaels cleared the floor by winning both of their scheduled games. This helped them secure a spot in the Bronze Bracket.
The closing match was more of a challenge, as the Gaels did suffer a defeat against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. But, this loss didn't seem to faze them. James Fleichman '28 really stood out during this concluding match with confident serving that applied pressure on this opponent. This displays what a commendable job this team did at bouncing back from any obstacles that may have come their way. No matter how tough a situation may have looked, the Gaels stayed persistent.
There is no doubt that this team has an incredible brotherhood bond. Both on and off the court, these Gaels thoroughly enjoyed themselves. After long days, these guys would be at team dinners building stronger connections, relaxing, and eating great food. Another thing they did on their off-time was attending the Division I finals, which was an exciting experience for all. The chemistry and trust that translated into the games was undeniable, and that stems from all this special time spent together. Within this team is a true family, no separate groups or cliques. The Gaels had a great season and are already looking forward to the next!
We would like to give a special thanks to senior Dillon Rockwell. He was a constant standout for being both a strong player and teammate. We wish you the best of luck in your journey after Saint Mary's!