The Warrior’s Inside Scoop on Sherwood Sports

In this report:

Girl’s Tennis, Girl’s Volleyball, Boy’s and Girl’s Soccer, Golf, Girl’s Field Hockey, Cross-Country 

 

Girl’s Tennis

by Jamie Langbein ’13

Starting another season of Division I tennis as strong as ever, the lady Warriors boast a current record of 3-3. The most recent game was a heartbreaking loss to Whitman, losing all seven courts.

“Tennis is a very unique sport because you’re on a team, but at the end of the day it’s all on you [to win the court]. I don’t mean to be harsh, but really there’s no better feeling than smashing a volley onto the court and watching your opponents’ faces in awe of the devastation you brought upon them,” said star junior Jordan Kramer, one of the members of the first string doubles team. On September 17, Kramer and her partner senior Paige Reddan won an intense, hard fought match over Paint Branch in a second set tiebreaker.

The next game is on the 23 against B-CC, one of many extremely notorious teams for excelling in tennis. The following game is at home against Poolesville, at 3:30 on September 26, and shortly after, a game at Quince Orchard on September 30.

“[In the upcoming matches] we can always improve our confidence and work harder,” Kramer said.

Girl’s Volleyball

by Hope Gouterman ’13

Defending State Champions, varsity volleyball, is headed in the right direction with no losses on the record. With a 5-0 record, two being games against contenders Broadneck and Good Counsel, some of their hardest games they will play all year, the team looks like they are headed in the same path they were going last year. Having coasted through the Good Counsel and Broadneck games without dropping a set, the team is looking as smooth as ever.

“Our biggest games were Broadneck and Good Counsel and we showed up and played our game and achieved our goal. Honestly, States are in the back of our minds. We are looking to win the next game and work in the next practice. Obviously our long term goal is States but our short term goal is to win the next game and to keep getting better and better each practice,” said senior libero Sydney West.

“We’re very excited to start the year off with tough victories over top competition. I can’t pick out any individuals who have really stood out so far, it has been such a team effort. We worked really hard through two-a-days and the first three weeks of the season to prepare for those tough matches. As a team, I was impressed with the way we brought a lot of preparation, energy and intensity to the matches,” said coach Brian McCarty.

More games for the team soon to come, against Springbrook, Blake, Wheaton, Paint Branch and Whitman. The biggest are apparently Gaithersburg on October 12, Walter Johnson on October 18, Richard Montgomery on October 25 and Damascus on October 28. Walter Johnson is home at 6:30 p.m. and Richard Montgomery is home at 6 p.m.; while the other, vital matches are away.

 Boy’s Soccer

by Taylor Fernandes ’14

Boys’ varsity Soccer currently is 2-3 after their recent 1-2 loss against Damascus on September 19. The team looks for a repeat of their strong performance versus Rockville September 12 when they won 3-2 on goals by Aiden Joaquim and two by Darshan Mahabare.

“The team is working extremely hard,” said Coach Hector Morales. “I don’t feel that we’ve been outplayed or outworked this season. I’m excited for the rest of the season.  We’re growing as a team every session and match.  The younger players are becoming more confident with the ball at their feet and in their decision-making and my upperclassmen are starting to show more leadership on the field.”

The team is scheduled to play against Richard Montgomery, who is currently 5-1, on September 27.

Girl’s Soccer

by Jessica Carrera ’13

The girls’ varsity soccer team now has a 2-1 record after winning their first two games against Wootton (September 2^nd) and Rockville (September 12^th), and losing to Damascus on the 19^th. They had games against Seneca Valley on the 14^th, that is now postponed to the 3^rd of October, as well as their rival Margruder that was scheduled for the 24^th that they will now play on October 5^th .

“We did a decent job with only ten playing total but our rhythm and energy was taken away due to the inconsistent calls made through the game. It’s a non-division game so we can forget about it now and move on. We have a strong squad but are still working out early season issues,” Vukovich said about the team’s 4-0 loss to Damascus.

The team will play away at Richard Montgomery on the 27^th and have back to back games on the 3^rd and 4^th of October. They host Seneca Valley on Monday and Blake on Tuesday. The key game next week will be against Magruder on Wednesday the 5^th.

 Golf

by Joey Lavoie ’14

Sherwood Warriors golf is currently 9-4 and is averaging 234 strokes per match. In Sherwood’s last match against Blair, Paint Branch and Poolesville, they shot a 234. Senior Tommy Nakamura is leading the charge with a 44.25 stroke average.

“We have been playing very well. With Tommy leading the team, we are going in the right direction. With districts coming up we are really starting to concentrate on that. It has been a great year, and the future is looking good,” said sophomore Cameron Aud. “I think we have a chance at districts.”

The Golf team has one remaining match left, the MCPS District Championship, on October 17 at Rattlewood Gold Course.

Girl’s Field Hockey

by Brendan Cudd ’14

The field hockey team’s current record is even at 2-2. On September 13, the team beat Richard Montgomery by a score of 2-1. Two days later, Sherwood played a home game against Whitman. After a hard-fought battle, the team conceded a crushing goal in the final two minutes to lose 1-0.  Sherwood then played Kennedy on September 19^th at Kennedy and won handily 5-0. In a reversal of fortunes, field hockey lost the next night at Springbrook by score of 7-2.

“In the last few games the team has given incredible heart and determination. Our team never stops and never gives up. Our goal set in mind is to dominate in playoffs. In out upcoming games we are playing some of the best throughout Montgomery County. We need to have solid aggression throughout the entire game and remain united as a team. We need to physically, mentally, and emotionally think hockey,” said senior Alex Mazzeo.

Field hockey next plays Blair on September 26.  Sherwood also plays Magruder at Sherwood on October 10 at 7 pm.

Cross-Country

by Melissa Fajardo ’13

The Oatlands Invitational on September 17 featured a total of 1,311 female runners and 2,196 male runners.  The boys Varsity A team placed 19^th out of 46 teams and Varsity B team placed 37 out of 66 teams. The girls Varsity B team placed 9^th out of 50 teams.  Jesse Leissa finished in the top 20 of the Junior- Senior race.

“If you look at our numbers, in the fall, cross country is the second largest sport in terms of numbers of participants at Sherwood,” said coach Dan Reeks. “If an athlete is in uniform when we begin warming up for a meet, and if the athlete doesn’t aggravate an injury, that athlete will compete … Once the 5000m race starts, there are no time-outs, and there is no half time. No substitutions … The young ladies and young men Mr. McGaw and I coach are proud of themselves for their accomplishments.  We have among the best students and athletes at Sherwood.  We don’t want this to be a secret.”

The next big meet is The Great American Cross Country Classic in Cary, NC.  Coach Reeks will take 14 girls and 21 boys to compete in the meet. The team will also have two home meets on Sherwood property on Tuesday September 27 and Tuesday October 4, both races start at 3:30 PM.