After both teams won runners-up in their state championships last year, beach volleyball and tennis have been focusing on team growth and staying motivated as they move through their current seasons.
Beach volleyball is currently undefeated. They recently beat last year’s state champions, Sandra Day O’Connor, ending O’Connor’s 64-game winning streak.
“The (championship) loss stayed with our kids, but it did not define them,” said coach Tim McHale. “Beating a team that good, early in the season, tells you something about where your program is. We found out exactly where we are this season.”
When discussing last year’s loss, Elle Freeland ‘26 said, “It motivated us because we were right there and we were so close. This year, we are even more motivated because we know we can get that far, and it’s pushing us to go even further.”
McHale additionally explained that the main focus when approaching the game against O’Connor was “to play our game, not to play against O’Connor’s reputation.”
Freeland said that the team feels very united, and as one of the seven senior leaders this year, she feels that together they are “a good leading force.”
“This senior class is exceptional – not just as players, but as people who understand what this program is about. They set the competitive standard every day on the court. They bring a toughness and work ethic that younger kids watch and absorb. They know what it takes, and they show our younger players what that looks like every single practice,” McHale said.
McHale continued, “Our seniors have a steadiness to them, a belief that does not need to be performed. This is a group that genuinely cares about each other’s success.”
This group of seniors is paving the way for the future of Xavier beach volleyball, leaving behind the message that true success is built on teamwork.
This philosophy is seen within varsity tennis as well, whose loss of multiple senior leaders has led to a young team on the road to achieving similar growth and unity.
Last year, Xavier’s varsity tennis team lost a hard-fought match against Desert Mountain in the state championship. Coach Joy Rodey explained that within the past two years they have lost eight seniors, with whom they won the 2024 state championship.
“The loss did not affect me because it made me realize we are going into a growth period within these next few years,” Rodey said. “Because there are a lot of freshmen, we have to focus on working cohesively and not just as individuals out on the court.”
Sylvia Vercellino ‘27 said, “It is a different environment. We only have two seniors on the team and six freshmen, so we are nurturing the younger girls to learn the team dynamic, but overall it has been a great season so far.”
“What makes this team so special is being able to bond and go out there as one and not individuals,” she said.
Calista Pennell ‘26 explained that winning both a state championship and finishing as the state runner-up have shown her “the level of work, focus, and support it takes to be successful,” and how those experiences have helped her grow as a leader and shape the standard she sets for the team.
She says that having former player and Xavier alumna Dani Dyer ‘24 back as one of the coaches this year has helped bring a positive mindset and experience to the team because she understands what it takes to compete at that level.
Pennell went on to explain how the biggest challenge of being a younger team is helping everyone adjust to the dynamic of high school tennis. “Honestly, I think everyone has done a really great job with that. I’m really proud of how well everyone gets along, supports one another and has built such strong team chemistry throughout the season,” she said.
“As a captain, I try to support and encourage everyone as we continue to improve, without putting too much pressure on anyone. It’s really about pushing each other to get better while also building confidence along the way,” Pennell said.
Both of these teams work toward a goal greater than winning a championship: continuing a legacy and building a foundation for the future of Xavier sports, together.
