FALL ATHLETICS | STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

ALL IN: VARSITY FIELD HOCKEY TEAM WINS THIRD STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN FOUR SEASONS

This fall, the DSHA Varsity Field Hockey team took home the state championship after defeating Arrowhead 4-0 on October 16 in the Wisconsin Field Hockey Association (WHSFHA) state tournament. This is the third state championship for the team in four seasons. With senior leadership and a building culture of competitiveness rooted in teamwork, this season marked a record-setting undefeated conference season for the Dashers.

Q & A with Field Hockey State Champions & DSHA Varsity Field Hockey Team Captains

Mack Doerr, DSHA ’23 ; Morgan Mackey, DSHA ’23 ; and Anna Falci, DSHA ’23

Your field hockey team has won three of the past four state championships. What was the key to your success on the field?

Mackey: I think we were so successful because we hold each other accountable. If we made mistakes, we made sure to own up to them and try to learn from them moving forward. As a team captain, it was important for me to see weaknesses on our team as an opportunity for growth. This was important because we had to build each other up and support one another to be united as a team. We also really wanted to exceed what we’d done in the past and go above and beyond what people thought we could do. This collective drive made us a better team.

What have you learned from being part of the DSHA Varsity Field Hockey Team? What have you learned about yourself?

Doerr: I’ve learned a lot about working together as a team. Everyone has an individual goal but you can only be successful if you work together. You might not always be a starter, or in the position you want on the field, but you’re on the team for a reason. Every position is important and every player has to contribute for all of us to succeed. As for myself, I’ve really grown in patience. Not just patience for my teammates, but for myself as well. It helps me to recognize that I won’t be perfect but as long as I own up to my mistakes and take responsibility, I can grow and get better. It’s a quality that will be helpful in my future career, family life, schoolwork, and friendships that I make.

How has faith played a part in your team?

Falci: The first true service work I’d ever done was through the DSHA Field Hockey team my freshmen year. We volunteered at Feeding America (a non-profit organization that works to end hunger) and it really introduced me to DSHA’s goal of working service into everyday life. I think getting the team involved in the greater mission of DSHA is important. We also prayed together before each game. The prayer always helped center us before going out into the field.

What was special about this year’s team?

Mackey, Doerr, and Falci: Every year we had a team motto. This year, it was “all in.” To us, this means not only taking the important games seriously but everyday practices, fitness exercises, film reviews, and team bonding activities. We know it’s easy to get ahead of yourself and think “I want to win the state championship,” but if you have that mindset from the beginning, you’re going to miss out on pivotal learning moments. It was important to be “all in” throughout the entire season in order to truly be successful.

Record: 10-0 in WHSFHA; 19-3 overall

WHFSA Conference Place: 1st

Team Chaplain | Lizzie McDevitt, DSHA ’23

Head Coaches | Co-MAX FH Coaches of the Year

English Faculty & Technology Instructional Coordinator

Quinn Loucks and Sue Walline

Notable Recognitions:

• MAX Field Hockey 2nd Team Mid-West Region; MAX FH Player of the Year; 1st Team All-Conference: Mack Doerr, DSHA ’23

• 1st Team All-Conference: Anna Falci, DSHA ’23 ; Eleanor Langenfeld, DSHA ’24 ; Morgan Mackey, DSHA ’23

• 2nd Team All-Conference: Charlotte Featherston, DSHA ’24; Kali Kiekow, DSHA ’24; Mia Kurth, DSHA ’24; Emily Lund, DSHA ’25

• Honorable Mention All-Conference: Ada Rebholz, DSHA ’24