Volleyball
Saint Mary's had one of the best seasons in school history this past fall.
The Belles finished the season 17-10 overall, 9-7 in the conference and fifth in the MIAA.
"Our team chemistry was definitely one of our greatest strengths," Belles coach Julie Schroeder-Biek said. "Also this season, our players have really lifted their game and shown so much individual improvement - they really play for each other. …
"Our seniors have done a nice job on the court all year - they have also been great leaders both on and off the court."
Several Belles players received individual awards at the end of the season. Senior Anne Cusack was honored as the MIAA defensive player of the year. At the libero position, Cusack posted 472 total digs (7.04 digs a game) against league competition, which ranked first in the MIAA. The senior also ranked 10th in the league in services with 0.42 aces per game. She ranked among the top 50 in the nation in digs all season.
In addition to those accolades, Cusack was named to the league's first-team while senior outside hitter Kristen Playko earned second-team MIAA honors.
For the second time in her four seasons, Playko was chosen to an MIAA all-conference team after being named to the second-team for her efforts at outside hitter. She ranked fourth in the league in kills (3.85 per game) and eighth in digs (4.82)
Swimming
Saint Mary's had an individual swimmer crowned an MIAA champion for the first time in four years and won its first conference dual meet in seven years during a successful year for the program.
"During the 2006-2007 season, the team grew not only in numbers, but also in camaraderie, confidence, and performance," Belles coach Ryan Dombkowski said. "The team has bonded well and supports each other during both practice and during competitions, which is something I noticed was a bit absent in years past"
The Belles beat Alma 130-103 Jan. 13 for their second dual meet win of the season and their first conference dual meet win in seven years.
In the MIAA championship meet, the Belles finished sixth out of seven, but for only the second time in the program's history claimed an individual title, as Gerbeth took the 1,650 freestyle.
The only senior, Sarah Budd, was a leader in many ways for the team, Dombkowski said.
"Sarah Budd was our lone senior, who not only led by setting a great example of dedication and perseverance, but was also our team leader in the classroom as well," Dombkowski said. "Sarah truly is a great example of what every student-athlete should strive to become and we'll definitely miss her next year."
With most of the team coming back, Dombkowski said next season has promise for the Belles.
"I believe that this group is ready to help lead the 2007-2008 Saint Mary's swimming and diving team to our best finish ever at conference," Dombkowski said. "I truly believe next year's team should break several school records and even send a few swimmers on to national competition."
Cross Country
Saint Mary's finished fifth in the MIAA in 2006, qualifying for the NCAA Regionals and finishing 20th.
Senior captain Sara Otto and junior Megan Gray led the Belles for most of the season. Gray's best time on the year was an 18:42 at the Manchester Invitational, in which she won the individual title and the Belles finished third.
Otto's best time also came in Manchester, where she crossed the finish line in 19:41 and finished sixth.
Golf
After a successful fall season and a long break from competitive play, Saint Mary's was anxious to once again prove themselves on the course.
Because some fall members studied abroad during the spring semester, the team was forced to change its lineup, but remained confident.
Sophomores Meredith Fantom and Meaghan Fontein, who returned this spring after a semester in Rome, were joined by captain Katie O'Brien, sophomores Perri Hamma and Molly Goldsmith and freshman Theresa Tonyan. Although young, they held their own in tournaments.
Originally scheduled to start April 12, weather forced the Belles to wait until April 21 for their next, last and most important rounds of the spring - the MIAA NCAA qualifying tournament. After three rounds of play, the team ended with a total of 1,142 and a sixth-place finish. Shooting a team-best 80 and marking 10 pars, O'Brien placed fourth overall for individual shooters on the final day.
Although competitive play is over, the team remains confident and enthusiastic. With no current seniors, the Belles will return in the fall with experience.
"We'll be working hard this summer. I believe that the freshman class will booster what we already have," coach Mark Hamilton said. "We're very excited."
Tennis
Saint Mary's finished with an even overall record of 13-13 this season. The Belles finished 5-3 in the MIAA regular season schedule and won two of three games in the conference tournament to finish fifth overall.
After losing its first match of the tournament to Calvin, Saint Mary's went on to defeat Alma and Olivet to secure the fifth-place finish.
The Belles started their MIAA schedule 4-1 before losing two of their next three to finish the regular season in fourth place.
Senior captain Kelly McDavitt said the squad will return a strong sophomore class next year.
"We had many strong freshmen this year," she said. "They learned a lot this season and will take their experience into next season. They will help lead the team next year."
McDavitt, who went 6-2 in the No. 1 singles spot, was named to the MIAA first team.
Softball
The Belles (25-9, 10-6 MIAA) finished the season with an unlikely run up the rankings, which led them to the 4th seed in the MIAA tournament. But their streak of success ended quickly in the postseason as the team was eliminated on the first day of the conference tournament.
"We weren't mentally ready for the tournament," coach Erin Sullivan said. "That and our hitting just wasn't on that day."
The Belles lost to host and eventual tournament co-champion Alma in a 3-0 blanking. MIAA most valuable pitcher in the MIAA Kay McDonald (1.62 ERA) dominated the Belles with nine strikeouts. She allowed only three hits.
Sophomore pitcher Calli Davison, senior shortstop Sarah Miesle and freshman outfielder Ashley Peterson all had hits but the Belles failed to drive anyone home. Alma started the low-scoring game off with a run in the first and two more in the third. Three runs were more than enough to win the game and send the Belles to the consolation bracket, where they lost to third-seeded Hope.
Now that the season is over, ,Sullivan said the team is looking ahead.
"I think we had another great season. We had some amazing moments again," she said. "I am really looking forward to seeing what the players will do over the summer to come back ready to go next year."
Soccer
Six Saint Mary's seniors saw their collegiate careers come to a heartbreaking end during the MIAA quarterfinal round this year.
The Belles battled through two overtime periods in a scoreless tie with Kalamazoo before losing 4-3 in penalty kicks.
Third-year head coach Caryn Mackenzie steered the team to a 4-3-2 conference record (5-8-2 overall) with help from a strong senior class. Laura Heline finished up her career as the team's goalkeeper with 94 saves on the year. The consistent senior started all but one game between the posts for the Belles in the past four years.
On the offensive end, senior Ashley Hinton buried seven goals and assisted six others to lead the team in scoring. She and her younger sister, sophomore Lauren Hinton, provided most of the team's offense throughout the season. Lauren Hinton also had seven goals this season, most of which were set up by her older sister.
Midfielder Caroline Stancukas was the only player in the MIAA to win the national Arthur Ashe Award.
The award is given to a minority student-athlete who succeeds on and off the field. Stancukas also received the honor for swimming during the winter.
Next season the Belles return nine freshmen as well as a solid base of upperclassmen as they look to return to the top of the MIAA.
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