Energy was at an all-time high on May 26 as the Strath Haven Ultimate Girls’ frisbee team (SHUG) played in their final round of the state tournament against Springfield.
“The vibe of ultimate [was] a really nice vibe,” junior Sophie Lin said. “Everyone’s close with each other, and we don’t reach a level of super, super competitive kind of thing where people start wanting to outdo each other. I think it’s a very friendly environment, and very welcoming. Anyone who wants to play can come play, it’s a very open sport, and I think that’s the environment that we strive for.”
The ultimate team has many traditions, including spirit gifts, when team members choose opponents to compliment and give gifts to.
“It’s always great to talk and have fun with the other teams,” freshman Maisie Sentivan said. “Most of their teams were super nice and friendly. They had good vibes.”
The team is a close-knit group, and they enjoy spending time together playing the game.
“The team was a little tense in a couple of games. We got to universe point [the final point of the game], so the emotions were running high. But we eventually won finals with universe point, so the tension all evaporated after that,” freshman Lyla Kelly said.
The final point came once both teams had nine points. Players strategized before returning to the game for their big win.
“I was right there [by the goal], and then I caught it,” senior Sophie Liu said. “And then I was like, ‘am I in? I think I’m in,’ and everyone was still for a moment. I was like, ‘I think I’m in unless you say I’m not in…’ and Violet just made the signal, and she started crying.”
The game was an emotionally charged win for everybody involved, particularly for Liu.
“Either one of the seniors or the past seniors said ‘you caught the last disk of the last throw of the last point of the last game of the last championship of your last year in high school,’ and I was just like, hugging the disk,” Liu said.
The game was very emotional, with team members celebrating and basking in the glow of their success- and in the excitement of going to nationals!
“For the most part, [after the game] was very celebratory,” Kelly said. “We got a giant trophy… we got a wooden disc as well. Overall, it was a great way to end the season– except for the fact that we’re not ending the season because we’re going to nationals.”
