Sports, for some athletes, are more about the memories and bonds made rather than the awards they receive.

The Xavier Saints volleyball seniors are the most decorated class in program history, but when asked about their awards, the girls said they enjoy the memories they have made with each other more than the accolades received. Some of which include: an all-time school career assist record holder, the most blocks for a single season school record holder and many Metro Area and MVC Conference awards.

“It is an honor to be the most decorated class in program history, but it all has to do with the team and the coaches. Volleyball is a team sport and every year our class has had outstanding teammates and coaches to help get us to where we are now,” senior Eve Magill said.

The Saints spent each day growing and getting closer as a team on and off the court in order to be the best they could be for the state tournament. Due to COVID-19, they were not able to do much team bonding, but they were still able to create good team chemistry.

“I love the sense of community this team brings. It truly is my second family. I have been playing with some of the girls ever since 5th grade and I know them very well. We are also really close with the coaches and get along really well, so we are able to work together to reach our end goal,” Magill said.

The Saints did not take the state tournament for granted

and worked hard to prepare for the outcome they wanted. “We prepared for state by working on our blocking assignments based on our scouting report and made sure we were giving 100% effort every point,” senior Katy Garrison said. The Saints’ season also helped them prepare for the state tournament.

“By playing the toughest schedule in the state, we learned our strengths and weaknesses. We learned how to stay focused in matches that we are [were] up and how to fight in matches that we are [were] down,” Head Coach Austin Filer said. “We know what it took to get to the championship game again.” Being at state the past five years helped these girls gain confidencegoing into the tournament this year.

“It’s a very different feeling in the Cell Center [renamed the Alliant Energy Powerhouse] and I felt more prepared than I ever had. There was a little bit of a chip on my shoulder,” senior Jazmine Yamilkoski, who has started all four years at Xavier, said. The Saints finished their season doing something no other Xavier volleyball team had done: winning a state championship. “Winning state feels so good, we’ve been working for four years and we get to leave Xavier on a win,” Yamilkoski said. To add on to the awards the Saints have received this year, Magill and senior Elyse Winter received All- Tournament Team recognition and Yamilkoski was named All- Tournament Team captain. “It feels good to be the All- Tournament Team captain, I’m just proud that we won,” Yamilkoski said. Garrison spoke about the impact Xavier volleyball has had on her and how she will take the lessons she learned with her for the rest of her life. “Xavier volleyball has made me a better person both on and off the court. It has helped me develop friendships that will last a lifetime,” Garrison said. “Winning the state tournament is a dream come true. Coming in as a freshman, I had only dreamed we would ever be where we are today. It is amazing to see the dream become a reality.”

The senior class will be one to remember at Xavier and they are thankful for all the time spent with their teammates and the memories they have made.