Athletics Highlights 2020-2021
GO HEART!
IN SEASONS FULL OF UPS AND DOWNS, STOPS AND STARTS, and much uncertainty, athletics played an important role in the life of many Sacred Heart students this year more than ever. But competing without fans, wearing masks, and facing scheduling restrictions didn’t stop the Lady Lions from having a banner year. In fact, two SHA teams brought home championship banners to Gormley Gymnasium in 2020-21.
IT’S A 5-PEAT FOR SHOOPS! In what is becoming a long-standing tradition, Sacred Heart basketball hoisted the District 1 AA Championship trophy yet again in 2021. After posting a 10-5 record during the regular season, SHA brought home its fifth straight District Champs banner in a lopsided victory over Dock Mennonite Academy. Dock had no answer for SHA’s crushing defense or a balanced offensive effort that featured scoring by eight players in the 47-11 victory. The win earned SHA an appearance in the PIAA state tournament for the fifth consecutive time under head coach Zach Shuler. Kathryn Gallagher ’22, who enjoyed a breakout year, led the way all season long. SHoops’ top scorer, Kathryn was recognized as the Main Line Times Athlete of the Week during the season and was later named the team’s MVP. Junior Ainsley Davis also played a key role in the Lady Lions success posting big numbers during the playoffs. Team captain Mary Lauren Franz ’21, along with fellow senior Annie DeFrancesco, never lost a district title game in their four years with SHoops. “I am really proud of how hard the team played all year long in masks, never once complaining,” said Mr. Shuler. “Coach (Brent) Schulte and I asked the players to compete in every drill in practice and every play in each game and their determination and effort paid off. So happy to see so many players step up in key moments all season long. I am grateful to both ML and Annie for their leadership as seniors, and I am looking forward to what this team can do next season!”
SHVB TAKES UNPRECEDENTED PROGRAM STEP After convincingly winning their fourth straight District 1 A Championship, the SHA volleyball team went on a storied playoff run in the fall of 2020, advancing to the semifinals of the PIAA Single A State Championship, a first in program history. Despite having only one senior starter (Erin Corcoran ’21, team MVP and Main Line Times Athlete of the Week) and losing two starters to injury, the youthful SHVB team was not to be denied. They plowed through the District Championship game, defeating Plumstead Christian handily in three sets. For Erin, all she has known is district titles, the first player in school history to win one every year. The team proved their championship mettle in the state tournament, winning a grueling five-set match against an undefeated Mount Calvary Christian in the PIAA state quarterfinals. The win advanced them to the semifinals of the state championship where they took perennial powerhouse Marian Catholic to five sets before losing in a heartbreaking ending. “It was an incredible match,” noted head coach Sam Moyerman. “We came up just two points short of going to the state finals. And that is a testament to how hard these girls worked all year. Our team captains, Erin and Bella (O’Toole ’22), were great leaders and set the tone for our younger players. We had a season that none of these players will ever forget. They never gave up and left it all out on the floor. They played their hearts out. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
Read more athletics news from the SHA Lady Lions at: shabrynmawr.org/athletics/athetics-news-details 4 Vue du Cœur SUMMER 2021
