Fall Sports Recap 2023

Before the season the soccer team set out with a simple but difficult challenge, win more games. They did. They competed against opponents have traditionally dominated the box score and challenged the ESIAC leading to a conference tournament appearance for the second straight year and 7 total wins. 

Awards & Special Recognition:
ESIAC All-Conference
Jay Parrish, Isaiah Walton, Kasey Bell, Quinn Downs-HM

Jay Parrish led the team in scoring (19 goals, 5 Assists)

Isaiah Walton led the team in assists (18 Assists, 4 goals)

Quinn Downs had a fantastic season in the goal with over 75 saves. 

"This season was a good one for us. The guys played the best soccer I have seen at this school. They worked hard and scored a lot of goals." Coach Dan Walton."The team is looking to build on the solid foundation laid this season and expects even better things next season."

The field hockey team put forth tremendous effort throughout the season despite injuries and losses.  DCHS had seven players brand new to the game and lost four athletes to injury.  However, they persevered, played short many games and never had substitutes. In short, they never gave up.

"A coach couldn't ask for more. This was a season of growth - mentally and physically. The players and I had to learn to keep going through the frustrations of losses, lack of knowledge of the game, and the physical demands of field hockey" Coach Alison Venables. "I shared a scripture with them before each game, but the verse that resonated with me throughout the season for these athletes was  Isaiah 40:29-31 “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint"

Awards & Special Recognition:
ESIAC All-Conference
Josie Peranteau, Elizabeth Fannin, Jesslyn Duman. Jayleyn Avalos-HM

Bella Marinelli surpassed over 100 career saves after two years as a field player.

"One word to summarize our season is resilience." - Coach Venables 

Ava McCarron, Tyler Hutt 

Grace Lucas-HM, Emory Messick-HM

OH-Elaina Millaway
OH-Taylor Lowe
Libero-Tobi Robinson

SECOND TEAM
MH- Madison Jones

A fairly young team this year (only four 8th graders on the 19-player roster), the soccer team was once again led by Coach Dypsky, who completed his sixth season as head coach. The team had to battle through a rough start to the season and some various crucial injuries, but still improved immensely, culminated by a 6-0 win over Holy Cross to finish out the season - led by 8th grade captain Ian Campbell, who had an impressive four goals on the night. Campbell led the team with 11 goals (including two games with 3 or more) while fellow 8th grade captain Henry Ennis added 5 goals and a team-leading 8 assists. The team had three goalies in rotation, each one with his own strengths, with 7th grader Luke Riley finishing out the season with a shutout. Their four 8th graders were all starters and provided the bulk of offense this year, but their core of 6th & 7th graders shows a lot of promise and something to watch next fall.

 

It is always a challenge to rebuild after losing strong 8th grade players the year prior, but this year’s volleyball team, led by second-year coach Courtney Pangle & assistant coaches Kim Jensen & Lydia Woods, did so with class and with heart. With some strong additions to the team this season, including 8th grade captain Morgan Stevenson, along with returning standouts such as Lydia Hudson & Anna Woods, the team fought their way to a 5-6 record, and many of their losses took a third set to determine the outcome because this team refused to quit. The girls focused on unity and heart, constantly encouraging each other and continuing to fight until the final point, win or lose. Even though they finished just below a winning record, this team has much to be proud of. Their six 8th graders will be tough to replace, but they have some strong 6th & 7th graders that seem up to the challenge for next year.

This was the first year in school history that the middle school has had an official field hockey team, and they surpassed all expectations for such a new team. With coaches Lindsay Cannon & Laura Balback bringing their experience, knowledge, and passion to the table, this team proved tough to beat and finished with a 6-4-1 record- nearly unheard of in a team’s first ever season. The team had a strong trifecta of attackers, with 7th graders Lacey WIlkins & Olivia Balback, along with 6th grader Rocsi Cannon, combining for 30 goals and 13 assists on the season. 6th grade goalie Carsyn Riddle, backed by her constantly improving defense, had two shutouts, but perhaps the most impressive aspect of the season was not a stat that can be tracked. What stands out most about this team was their incredible improvement throughout the season- whether learning the game for the first time, or figuring out how to play together and do what was best for the team. With the team only losing two 8th graders, Mary Kate Dougherty & Sophie Groszer (though those two will be heavy losses), excitement & expectations are high for a young talented team heading into next season.