Avenging Angels Athletics 2019 Spring Season Update

Meredith College athletics closed out the spring season strong as the women’s lacrosse program captured its fourth USA South Regular Season Championship and sixth Tournament title. The Avenging Angels faced off with nationally ranked Ithaca College in round one of the NCAA Tournament the Saturday of the college’s graduation. With the conflict for graduating players, President Jo Allen, Vice President for College Programs Jean Jackson, and Chaplain Donna Battle hosted a mini-commencment

Head Coach Lauren Scott garnered her fourth Conference Coach of the Year award and Holly Hite was named the sport’s Player of the Year, while 11 lacrosse players earned All-Conference honors. Hite, Sarah Arbes, and Lilia Cruz went on to earn All-Region honors, and Hite and Arbes were selected to play in the 2019 IWLCA Division III All-Star game.

In its first year as a USA South sponsored sport, Meredith’s outdoor track & field team competed in the conference championship in Berea, Ky., April 18-19. Demonica Stanley won the championship medal in the javelin throw, and Essence Thomas collected the third-place medal in the 400 meter dash. Head Coach Leslie Payne stepped down in May and a national search process began immediately to continue the strong foundation she built during the first four years of the program.

The softball Angels closed out their spring season with an exciting sweep in USA South Tournament action. The Avenging Angels placed fifth in East Division standings to earn a best-of-three series playoff versus the East’s top-seed N.C. Wesleyan Bishops. After dropping two games to Wesleyan in the March conference opener, Meredith knocked off the Battling Bishops with a two-game sweep to advance to the Spring Festival in LaGrange, Ga. Junior catcher Bryce Smith and rookie pitcher Sarah Gundlach earned All-East second team honors for their efforts throughout the season.

Two of Meredith’s tennis players earned USA South All-Conference honors, and both are expected to return to action next fall. Sophomore Brittney Brown and rookie Aly Henneberry were both named to the East Division second team. Brown joined Henneberry at the top spot in doubles play for the last seven matches of the season, winning four. The Avenging Angels advanced to the conference tournament as the East fourth-seed.

A resurfacing project for the Meredith turf field is underway and will finish just in time for the first summer sports camp of the season. Fall athletes return to campus August 14, and the Angels will soon compete on another quality turf with the added bonus of a center logo.

Learn more about these and other Meredith athletics programs and follow the Avenging Angels at goavengingangels.com, Facebook and Twitter.