‘An amazing experience’

CEDAR RAPIDS - With only a few leaves left on the most resilient trees and snow on the ground, it has come to that time of year when all fall sports are wrapping up.

For the Xavier volleyball team, the season ended Nov. 5 in a Class 4A regional final loss to Clear Creek Amana, also ending the successful high school careers of the 2014-15 senior class.

After a summer spent training and preparing for the season, the Saints played 37 games the last three months, notching a record of 18-19 overall, including a 3-5 mark in the Mississippi Valley Conference. The season was highlighted by a decisive, 3-0, first round regional victory over Fairfield.

Whether they are playing next year in college, one of the seven underclassmen who recorded a stat on varsity who will be returning next year or moving on to the next exciting phase of their lives, they've each earned a few days off.

While they will surly miss competing with their teammates on a nightly bases, the memories of what they accomplished together as a team will stay with them for years to come.

'My favorite memories would have to be going to state as a sophomore and our annual team summer camp in Nebraska the last three years,” senior Madsy Richards said. 'It was an amazing experience.”

For individual statistics, according to quickstatsiowa.com, Kayla Torson led the team in kills with 323 of the teams 778 (42 percent), followed by Richards and her sister, Charlotte Richards, who racked up 194 (25 percent) and 110 (14 percent), respectively. Kayla Torson crossed the 1,200 career kills mark this season.

'My best advice for the returning players next year is don't take your time for granted,” Torson said. 'Realize how special this opportunity is, and make the most of it.”

Ellie McDermott, Charlotte Richards and the rest of the Saints volleyball program will look to do just that in the years to come.