This past fall season our sports programs exceeded all expectations. IHA is known to dominate sports, and this year proved that the athletic programs at Immaculate Heart could still contest with the big time programs. The cross-country team had another remarkable year, as did our tennis, volleyball, and soccer teams.

Cross country team pictured at meet.
Photo courtesy of the Immaculate Heart Academy Cross Country team

Cross Country

The cross-country team came in fourth in their state group. Early in their season they won all of their dual meets, which is a meet between IHA and one other team. Following their cancelled trip to Disney, the team went on to win the Bergen meet of Champions and by the end of the season won the league as well. They are graduating 19 seniors and have Jill Neggia’17 and Giavanna Tabachino’17 running in college at The College of New Jersey and Lehigh University, respectively. IHA will miss these seniors, as they were instrumental to the success of the Cross Country team.

Julianna Zeepvat’17 and Reagan Bossolina’17 pictured at County Match.
Photo courtesy of the Zeepvat family

Tennis

IHA’s tennis team was very successful this season and ended on a great note. Reagan Bossolina’17 and Julianna Zeepvat’17 won Second Team all county, which is an amazing accomplishment for the dynamic senior doubles team. Ending with 15 wins and 4 losses, their record puts them in second place in Non Public A section right behind their rivals from Kent Place. The tennis team is losing five seniors this year, all of whom played key roles in this season’s lineup and will be missed. Ending with one of the better records the Blue Eagles have seen in awhile, the captains were very happy with the outcome of the season. “One of the best things about this team was all the relationships we made. I know they are going to college but I know we will still be friends. IHA Tennis really brought us together,” said Ava Nejad’18 when asked what she will miss from this season.

Gianna D’Onofrio’17 giving her all on the court.
Photo courtesy of NJSports

Volleyball

This season’s volleyball team ended with a terrific overall record of 37 wins and only 4 losses, second to only Hudson Catholic in the State Non-Public section. While their season games are over, the team is ranked number two in the Tournament of Champions that is scheduled to begin Saturday, November 19^th at William Paterson University. Unlike our other fall sports, volleyball will not be graduating many seniors; in fact they are only losing one. The only senior on the team was Gianna D’Onofrio’17 who has been on the varsity team since freshman year and was always a contributor both on and off the courts.

Soccer

The soccer team prepares for a win.
Photo courtesy of News12Varsity

This year soccer lost some very important players, but they still managed to have a strong season. They ended with a conference record of 4 wins, 1 tie, and 1 loss, and with an overall record of 7 wins 7 ties and 2 losses. Their seniors were essential players on the field. Julianna Shrekgast’17 scored 8 goals, Fida Mouawad’17 with 4 goals, Tatum Albrecht’17 scored 2 goals, and Julia Raith’17 with 1 goal. This senior class was among the most talented IHA Soccer has ever seen and helped the team win many of their games and keep their record as solid as it was. They had a tough loss to Oak Knoll in States, but the Blue Eagles are looking toward the next year and being even better. Even though they are losing many of their stars, they are confident that they will be ready to defend their reputation next year. Julianna Shrekgast’17 will continue her soccer career at Cornell University, Tatum Albrecht’17 will continue at Florida Southern, Julia Raith’17 will continue at New York University, Katey Samarro’17 will continue at Marist College, Izzy Sanchez’17 will continue at The College of New Jersey, Valeria Oshepkova’17 will continue at Scranton Univeristy and Antonieta Bocxe’17 will continue at Emerson College. With this talented of a senior class graduating, IHA looks to the underclassmen and can’t wait to see what will become of them.

This fall season, many of the IHA sports team won a title, whether it was states, an individual tournament, or county, and all players pushed themselves to new limits. For many it was their last season and IHA will continue to support these players and cheer them on as they continue their athletic careers in college. The IHA Athletic Department is extremely proud of its success in the fall season, and is excited for the winter and spring seasons to come!

By Reagan Bossolina’17, Staff Writer