ÌÇÐÄVlog

A successful fall 2021 season has concluded for Meredith Athletics. The Avenging Angels saw program firsts, records broken, and a few student-athletes earned recognition at the national level.ÌýHere are a few highlights from another impressive fall season for Meredith Athletics.

Cross Country
The Cross Country team finished third at the 2021 USA South Conference Championships.Ìý

Six Avenging Angels earned All-Conference Honors with Corrinne Weaver and Julie Tonon being named to the first team. Ashleigh Buser and Angrea Gallegos were named to the third team and Isabella Saudo and Kaylee Spencer earned Honorable Mention.Ìý

At the NCAA South Cross Country Regionals, the team finished 13th.

Junior Corrine Weaver set school records in the 5000 meter and 6000 meter and became the first All-Region runner in program history. She then capped off a tremendous season by qualifying to represent Meredith at the NCAA National Championships.Ìý

Golf
The golf team saw great individual success with the addition of graduate student Monika Vicario. Vicario placed first in the Sandhills C.C. Flyers Invitational scoring 67-74-141 total. Vicario received the program’s first USA South Golfer of the Week awards as she was selected for this honor twice this season. She helped lead Meredith to four consecutive rounds of program records, setting a team round low of 373. Her individual round score of 67 also set the individual program record. The Angels expect to build on this success as Vicario and the rest of the team will be back in action during the spring season.Ìý

Field Hockey
The ÌÇÐÄVlog Field Hockey team competed in its first NCAA season in 2021. On October 21, the team earned their first win, defeating Southern Virginia 1-0.ÌýHannah Taib scored the first goal in program history. Tylena Brown would add another goal for the Angels as they defeated Southern Virginia again on November 3.Ìý

Freshman Goalie Shae-Lynn Henderson would put us on the national stage in our first season by finishing #1 in Saves Per Game for all of Division 3. Henderson recorded 259 saves for the Avenging Angels.

Soccer
Meredith alumna Kirstie King, ’19, took over head coaching duties this season and led the Angels to a 4-3-1 conference record and an appearance in the USA South Tournament Quarterfinals.Ìý

The Avenging Angels were picked to finish eighth in the preseason poll but battled for a fourth-place finish in the strong East Division, losing to eventual USA South Champion Covenant 1-0.Ìý

Five Angels garnered USA South Conference honors. Miranda Lutz earned first-team all-East honors, while Claire-Emma Britt, Kaelin Sanderford, and Morgan Thomas were named to the East Division Second Team. Lillian Bennett represented Meredith on the All-Sportsmanship team.

Tennis
In a short fall season, the Meredith Tennis team earned their first win of the year defeating Guilford College 6-3 on September 24.Ìý

At the Methodist Invitational, Summer Elkins led the Angels by winning singles Flight 7. She defeated her opponents (6-4, 6-4), (6-1, 6-1) and (6-2, 6-3) to claim the championship.Ìý

The tennis Angels will return to compete in their USA South Conference season this spring.Ìý

Volleyball
Dominating on the court, the ÌÇÐÄVlog Volleyball team saw great success this season, finishing second in the USA South Conference with an overall record of 23-8 and a conference record of 15-3. This season is the seventh straight 20+ win season under the leadership of Head Coach Fiona Barkley.Ìý

In the competitive East Division, the Angels earned the #2 seed heading into the conference tournament. After defeating William Peace 3-0 in the quarterfinal and #1 West seed Maryville 3-2 in the semifinal, they advanced to the championship game. The Angels would come up short in the final, losing to Southern Virginia 3-1, but would finish the season second out of 19 conference teams.

Individually, the team received many honors this season. Lauren Bissette was named USA South First Team and First Team All-East Division. Avery Bowman and Whitney Bolton joined Bissette on the USA South All-East Division First Team. Lauren Phillips garnered Second Team All-East Division and Bailey Lucas was named to the USA South All-Sportsmanship team.Ìý

Lauren Bisset, Avery Bowman, and Sara Dees were named to the seven player at the conclusion of the USA South Championship. Sophomore Lauren Bissette was also named , the first player in the program to receive this honor since 2014.Ìý

A solid veteran team, the Angels will lose five athletes to graduation. As a class, they have left a profound mark on the program. Lauren Phillips finished second in total career digs and fourth in career service aces. Avery Bowman finished third in career assists and ninth in career hitting percentage. Bailey Lucas finished fifth in career assists and Whitney Bolton finished fifth in career hitting percentage.Ìý