After beach volleyball’s loss at the team state championship, Kate MacDonald ‘26 and Vivian Hickman ‘26 stepped on the sand, determined to end their season with a victory. Their strong teamwork and communication helped them capture the beach volleyball pairs state championship.
The pair had only been partners for one season, but playing nearly every doubles match together helped them quickly build chemistry on the court. Their ability to stay calm during close matches became one of their biggest strengths throughout the tournament.
Being friends on and off the court has let this duo enjoy the game and not put too much pressure on themselves for a win, helping them keep clear minds when stepping into games.
“Remembering to laugh and smile through some tough moments helped us greatly,” MacDonald said.
Their teamwork was especially important during long rallies and close sets throughout the tournament, making the pair rely on communication and trust.
The championship gave Xavier beach volleyball something to celebrate after a tough team loss. Teammates and coaches supported the pair throughout the tournament and helped them prepare for the pressure they faced at the state level.
Their victory highlighted the growth of Xavier’s beach volleyball program this season.
