Homecoming weekend is typically a chance for our teams here at Covenant to soak in the atmosphere and reset the season with a win over an overmatched opponent. That opportunity for a reset wouldn’t be needed by any of the teams in action last Saturday, however, as all three teams entered the weekend on a hot streak.
images by Christopher Wright
Following an up-and-down, 2-4 start to their season, the Lady Scots have found their groove over the last three weeks, racking up five wins and a draw in an impressive show of form. They scored 5-0 wins over Salem and conference foes LaGrange, while also gutting out a double-overtime draw with Birmingham Southern. The Scots knocked off Asbury and Berea, but most notably upset defending West Division champs and archrival Maryville 1-0 on Scotland Yard last week. Led by senior Kailey Burrell and a strong freshman class, the Lady Scots will look to continue their strong run as conference play continues.
The volleyball program opened up the season with an upset of 19th-ranked Birmingham Southern, and while September started with a bumpy run of results, the last two weeks have shown that the win to start the year was no fluke. A host of impressive performances from the team, highlighted by a 16-dig, 33-assist game from Rachel Bartlett ‘24 in a five-set thriller against Oglethorpe, has led the team to a six-game winning streak and an 11-6 record overall.
Alarm bells were ringing around the men’s soccer program after a brutal 2-1 loss to Sewanee at home a month ago, but the senior-laden team stepped up to the plate and have delivered on their potential in the last few weeks. A top-5 upset of Centre College and an undefeated run since September 7 have the Scots rolling, spearheaded by impressive defensive performances from goalkeeper Henry Hooks ‘22 and an upperclassmen-led back line.
The Scots played one of the most thrilling games in program history last month as well, snatching a wild 3-2 win behind senior Mercer Stout’s two-goal performance, including the winner with just five seconds left on the clock. Even the team’s draws have looked impressive, with Covenant outshooting conference rivals Maryville 30-8 in a 0-0 draw that was far more one-sided than the score implies.