At Mater Dei, athletic tryouts are more than just an assessment of skills—they’re a culmination of dedication, preparation, and the unique balance that athletes strike between their academics and sports. Many students spend months training, perfecting their skills, and mentally preparing themselves for this crucial step. The competition can be tough at this school but with the right attitude and dedication, athletes find success.
Freshman Elizabeth Pierce shares her commitment to preparation in the months leading up to tennis tryouts, where dedication to routine became key.
“I’ve been playing [tennis] for about five years now,” Pierce said. “Leading up to tryouts, I practiced three to four times a week starting in January. Each session was about an hour long, and I worked with a private coach to focus on drills and skills.”
For Pierce, practicing with a private coach allowed her to stay confident in her performance level and approach tryouts with a calm and focused mindset.
“The experience during tryouts was really fun,” Pierce said. “It was stress-free, and I had a lot of fun doing it.”
This preparation for tryouts extends beyond practice sessions, as athletes work on staying physically fit through school-based programs, since certain sports allow athletes to workout and train even before tryouts officially start. Some resources include designated weight blocks as part of the course offerings at Mater Dei to support conditioning for athletes. Sophomore Yeretzi Rodriguez highlights the importance of this structured time for training for girls volleyball.
“At school, we have a weights block during class time that’s designated for conditioning and strengthening,” Rodriguez said. “It’s been really helpful to balance my training without it interfering with my academics.”
Balancing athletics and academics can be challenging, but Mater Dei athletes find that school support makes a significant difference. Freshman Liam Robberson credits Mater Dei’s block schedule for assisting him in time management. The block schedule splits the potential eight periods into four per day. This allows athletes like Robberson to focus on classes with a more balanced view.
“Outside of studying, I’m locked in and focused on my sport,” Robberson said. “Mater Dei does a great job helping us balance both athletics and academics.”
While there’s no strict skill requirement to try out, having experience and familiarity with the sport can make tryouts an easier process. Getting hands-on experience in game play, scrimmages or other competitive competitions can enhance an athlete’s abilities. Robberson encourages new tennis players to participate in tournaments, as they help build skills and teach valuable lessons in sportsmanship.
“I’d definitely recommend trying out,” Robberson said. “Even if you haven’t played tennis before, at least you tried. Plus, tournaments teach you how to stay competitive while showing good sportsmanship.”
For many athletes, the benefits of trying out for sports go beyond simply joining a team. Being a part of Mater Dei athletics means becoming part of a close-knit community that encourages camaraderie and resilience. Rodriguez feels that joining the team gave her a whole new support system.
“You get a whole other community outside of academics,” Rodriguez said. “It’s a great way to de-stress after school, and it’s a lot of fun.”
Tryouts represent more than a single day—they’re a reflection of commitment, passion, and a willingness to push one’s limits. The journey leading up to tryouts and the experiences gained along the way make the effort worthwhile.
“At the end of the day, it’s not just about making the team,” Pierce said. “It’s about the growth and the memories you make with the people who are on this journey with you.”
