It was not until college that I took my first swings with a golf club. Believe it or not those 1 unit physical education courses were a part of my graduation requirements for an Exercise Sport and Science degree. Dr. Lauro was my mentor and played a pivotal role in my education at USF and happened to be the instructor for that golf class. Her father ran the course where she grew up and she learned from him. She could out drive every boy on that high school team but she did not have an opportunity to play as it was pre Title IX. During class she taught us what golf stands for, Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden. That has stuck with me along with Title IX throughout my life. During the pandemic golf saw a rise in popularity and increased participation nationwide, me included. The same was true at Mercy with our golf team growing the past two seasons. With that, we decided to host our first ever Swing for Mercy Golf Tournament. The Athletic Department partnered with Advancement Department, and we headed to Crystal Springs for a Tee-rific time with parents, coaches, and alumnae. The event was a huge success, not because of the bottom line but because of the community involvement. We had members of our golf team measuring out closest to the pin, longest drive and senior Eva Denten ‘23 was on the 7th hole hitting drives for participants. What a better way to start the week than playing 18 holes of golf. At the end of the round, we all gathered in the clubhouse. It dawned on me, an all-girls Catholic School hosting a tournament in a sport that once forbade us from even stepping on a golf course. We have come a long way.

On Saturday afternoon the team competed in the Terry Ward Bellarmine Invitational at the Baylands Course. This course will also host our second WBAL meet so this was a great warm up for the team. Nicole Castagna '23 was the top runner today posting a time of 23:45. This was by far her best race of the year. She ran a steady race through the first mile and a half then turned it on and tore up the last half of the race.
Elise Trinidad '23 was our #2 runner today clocking a time of 24:19 followed by Ysabella Matsumoto '25 in 25:04. Isabella Webb '26 had another really nice race finishing as our #4 in 25:41. Sophia Knapp '23 was our #5 with a time of 26:20.

In the JV race Dalilah Sanchez ‘25 ran her 2nd PR in 6 days. She dropped 58 seconds at the Terry Ward Bellarmine Invitational last Saturday and dropped another 50 seconds today running 29:26. In the Varsity race Elise Trinidad ‘23 was our top runner today just edging out Nicole Castagna ‘23 by 3 seconds. Elise Trinidad ‘23 ran a Season Best 23:30, (missing last year’s PR by just 2 seconds!) a 49 second drop from Saturday. Nicole Castagna ‘23 ran a new PR of 23:33, a 12 second drop. Yasbella Matsumoto ‘25 was our #3 clocking in at 24:44, a 20 second Season Best followed by Sophia Knapp ‘23 who ran 26:00, also a 20 second Season Best. Isabella Webb ‘26 rounded out our scoring 5 posting a time of 26:03. Sadie Chavez ‘26  was our #6 running 27:38 obliterating Saturdays PR by 1:52!

 
Yesterday Mercy hosted Castilleja and Sacred Heart Prep in a Tri Match at Green Hills Country Club. This was the last match of the season with 5 seniors slated to compete. As the seniors were walking up the hill on the 9th hole family and friends gathered to celebrate their last shots. In a race against the sun, each senior was honored by their teammates with a gift box, flowers, and signs. Golf had 8 seniors and one senior manager who were instrumental in the success of the season. Six golfers will represent the team on Monday at the League Finals. 

Junior Varsity

The junior varsity team hosted a small Nueva team and got the 5-2 victory. Mailen Chiramberro '25 and Ezro Barrera '25 won in singles.

Varsity

On Tuesday Mercy hosted Priory at Skyline. The team battled but ultimately lost 5-2. Sydney Meinerth '23 and Margo Robison '24 got a victory at 2 doubles 6-4, 6-4. On Thursday the team traveled to Canada College to play Nueva. Nueva swept Mercy 7-0. Persia Ehteshami '24 lost a close match at 1 singles 11-9 in the third set. 

 
Freshmen

 On Tuesday Mercy hosted Sacred Heart Prep at Serra. The last time these teams played it was an intense battle that went the distance. This time Mercy took control of the match early and never let go. They won in straight sets 25-18, 25-19. That speaks to the growth of this team, and all of the progress that has been made in their season. In the last match of the year for the freshmen team they traveled to Notre Dame San Jose and handled the Regents in straight sets 25-18, 25-18. They finished the season in second place in league.

Junior Varsity

On Tuesday the Junior Varsity Volleyball team looked to avenge the only loss in league against Sacred Heart Prep. They lost the first set 24-26. They regrouped and came out firing on all cylinders taking the second set convincingly 25-16. In the third set they took control winning 15-12. On Thursday they handled Notre Dame San Jose in straight sets with a score of 25-17 and 25-14. They have one game left against Castilleja and are tied for first place in WBAL. 

Varsity

On Tuesday Mercy hosted senior night for the Volleyball program. All three teams participated in the celebration from posters created by the freshmen team, to decorations from Junior Varsity and gift baskets and heartfelt speeches from Varsity. It was an emotional way to start a game with league implications. The gym was packed thanks to Serra Varsity Football filling the stands. Mercy started slow and SHP took the first set 16-25. Mercy closed the gap in the second set but lost 19-25. In the third set they came out swinging and put pressure on winning 25-20. Much like the first meeting the fourth set was back and forth but SHP took control at the end winning 25-21. On Thursday Mercy traveled to Notre Dame San Jose. The team lost the first set, 21-25 but went on to win the next three 25-20, 25-20, 25-23. They are 5-4 in league with one match reamining. 

Water Polo finished the season with back to back wins. On Monday the team traveled to Mills for one game and won 15-10. Katie Koenig '23 scored 4 goals in the victory. On Wednesday they hosted San Mateo and won 10-5. Summer McGuire '23 scored 6 goals. Then junior varsity team beat San Mateo 14-5 Camille Mercay '25 scored 5 goals in the victory.