Celebrating Court Sports Seniors

Celebrating Our Court Sports Seniors

Posted on 10/30/2025

Family, friends, teammates, and staff gathered in the gym today to celebrate our Senior Girls Basketball and Senior Boys Volleyball players during Court Sports Seniors Day. The day was filled with cheers, pride, and a few tears as the community came together to recognize the dedication and leadership of our graduating athletes.

Before the games began, Athletic Director Megan Derouard spoke about the significance of the day, sharing how special it has been to watch these student-athletes grow and mature over the past four years.

“To our senior athletes, thank you — not just for the games you played, but for everything you gave to us. You brought energy, commitment, and heart to every practice, every competition, and every moment in between. You’ve shaped our teams with your leadership, lifted others with your encouragement, and built a legacy that will echo long after you’ve moved on. Your impact goes beyond wins and stats — you’ve helped create a culture of excellence, resilience, and belonging. We are better because of you, and we are so grateful for the time, effort, and spirit you shared with us. Wherever your next chapter leads, know that you’ll always have a place here, and we’ll always be cheering you on."

Each senior was recognized on the court, surrounded by their teammates and loved ones, as coaches shared heartfelt words about their contributions, growth, and lasting impact on the program.

Jace Evans

Coaching Jace has been a true privilege. His passion for volleyball is unmatched, and he brings an energy that lifts everyone around him. He is never short on intensity and competes with heart, showing just how much the sport and his teammates mean to him. He is a “no-filter” kind of player, always willing to tell it how it is, which I have always appreciated as his coach, since I never have to dig deep to find out what he is thinking.

What stands out most is his gratitude. Jace is consistently grateful, always thanking a coach or volunteer for the opportunity to play. He has left his mark through heart, hard work, passion, and a lot of sweat—one that will continue to inspire future Saints after his final serve.

Thank you and congratulations, Jace.

Tazio Mastromatteo

Tazio embodies everything a coach hopes for in a player—passion, maturity, dedication, and heart. His love for volleyball is seen in every serve, swing, and defensive play.

Balancing an incredible workload both on and off the court, he approaches every challenge with discipline and composure far beyond his years. He never lets his own commitments prevent him from supporting his teammates—always encouraging, guiding, and leading by example.

Tazio is the epitome of what it means to be a student-athlete: talented, hardworking, respectful, and selfless. His influence on this program has been profound, and his legacy will continue to shape future Saints for years to come.

Thank you and congratulations, Taz.

Maddyn Hughes

Getting to coach Maddyn for these past two seasons has been a delight. She is a driven, hardworking athlete whose passion knows no bounds. In multiple conversations I’ve had with other coaches one thing is always said “Maddyn just gets it”. Whether it’s a new play, a tough loss or an amazing victory, she understands what it takes to get there and how to improve. This understanding and ability to rally her teammates towards a common goal made her an easy selection as one of our captains this season. Mads, never stop pushing yourself and others towards that goal, you’re going to make it there. It has been our pleasure to coach you and watch you grow as an athlete and a person. Best of luck in your seasons to come.

Addy Spak

Getting to coach Addy for two seasons has been eye opening in the best way possible. The girl I first coached was very shy and did not seem to have an aggressive bone in her body. As hard as we tried to convince her that it was okay to create contact, she would always shy away and apologize in the kindest fashion. This season we have seen a brand new Addy! She takes it to the hoop, driving up through contact to draw fouls, and wrestling the ball away in jump ball situations. She has taken it upon herself to dig down deep and find her inner dawg as we say. Addy, never stop believing in yourself and continue to use your new found confidence to achieve the great things we know you will. It has been our pleasure to coach you and watch you grow as an athlete and a person. Best of luck on your seasons to come.

Parker Francis

Parker has been an example of positivity, resilience, and team spirit. He’s a kid who builds genuine relationships with everyone around him—teammates and coaches alike—through his easygoing nature and respect. Even when faced with an injury this season, he continues to support the team with the same enthusiasm and smile that have defined his time as a Saint.

His quiet strength, genuine kindness, and love for the game made a lasting impact. The team is better for having shared time both on and off the court with him.

Thank you and congratulations, Parker.

Kolby Anderson

It has been an absolute pleasure to coach an athlete such as Kolby for the past three seasons. I have never encountered an athlete that is so kind and caring, always checking in on her teammates, helping her opponents up off the ground and even saying sorry to them when they were the ones who almost broke her arm. Don’t get it twisted though, as kind and caring as she is; she is an absolute beast on defence and draws more and more fouls each game by going up strong for rebounds and pushing through contact. She plays with passion and drive in every sport she plays and creates a bond with each teammate that cannot be broken. Her hard work and perseverance is truly unmatched. Kolby, never lose that competitive spirit, it has been our honour to coach you and see you grow as an athlete and a person. Best of luck in your seasons to come.

Madison Siemens

Coaching Madison for these past three seasons has meant a lot. Seeing her passion for basketball grow and with that a desire to improve her own game has been a coach's dream. Her determination and commitment to improving is truly unmatched. For example, in order to improve her hand eye coordination and finishing, Ricky gave her the task of learning to juggle in two weeks. She was so determined that she even set alarms to remind herself to practice and all of that hard work paid off because not only can she juggle but her finishing has improved so much making her one of our go to offensive rebounders. Madison, never lose that drive and always continue to strive for greatness because we know you’ll reach it. It has been our pleasure to coach you and watch you grow as an athlete and a person. Best of luck in your seasons to come.

Jordin Sundin

Having coached Sundin for two seasons has made one thing very clear, I will never call her by her first name. I did it once this season and she looked at me and said “ ew that was weird, you never call me that” to which I agreed it did not feel right. Sundin’s hard work and drive has made her a defensive weapon. Her quick thinking and quick feet make her tough to beat and help her see the court in a different way. Sundin’s intensity and speed dials in the second she steps on the court. Sprinting on fast breaks, and getting the steal for a wide open lay-up make her an absolute menace for any defender to guard. Sundin, never stop using that hard work and drive, it is going to take you far and we cannot wait to see what you accomplish. It has been our pleasure to coach you and watch you grow as an athlete and a person. Best of luck on your seasons to come.

Fenton McEwen

Fenton has consistently shown what it means to be dedicated. From day one, he has strived to make an impact on the court—never content to simply take part, but always determined to make a difference. His attention to the details that make a good player has set him apart as someone who studies the game.

This season, Fenton embraced a new role on the team without hesitation, showing Megan and I how selfless and mature he really is.

His steady commitment, positive attitude, and willingness to adapt have left a lasting impression on the program. He has shown that leadership isn’t always about being the loudest voice, but about setting the right example.

Thank you and congratulations, Fenton.

Julia Clark

Coaching Julia for the past three years has been an absolute honor. She is consistently one of our go to athletes when games are tough. She brings a calm demeanor, and level headedness that others gravitate to. Her hilarious and uplifting personality brings her teammates together on and off the court, making her an easy selection as one of our captains for this season. We will never forget the goofy chaos that she brought to Manitouwadge last season nor will we forget the perfect play she ran with Maddyn to drop that beautiful 3 pointer in Red Lake just a few weeks ago. Julia, never stop being that calm in the storm and the hilarious you that you are. It has been our pleasure to coach you and grow as an athlete and a person. Best of luck in your seasons to come

Cristina Soto-Payares

Coaching Cristina for the past three seasons has been an absolute pleasure. She is an absolute force on defence whose intensity is truly unmatched every time she sets foot on the court. We can always count on her when we need a quick steal or to shake up the other team's rhythm. Cristina’s grit and hustle always sets the tone on the court for her teammates, reminding them to out work their opponents and to fight for every loose ball. She has been known to out muscle players twice her size and has worked incredibly hard to become one of our most dependable athletes. We can always count on Cristina to bring out the intensity that we need to rally towards a big win. Cristina, never stop being intensely driven, it is going to take you so far and we cannot wait to see what you accomplish next. It has been our pleasure to coach you and watch you grow as an athlete and a person. Best of luck in your seasons to come.

St. Thomas Aquinas High School