On September 25th, the Ursuline Academy Varsity Volleyball Team traveled to Saint Louis, Missouri, for the second annual Ursuline Sisters Volleyball Tournament. This incredible opportunity brought together students from four Ursuline schools: Dedham (MA), New Orleans (LA), Wilmington (DE), and Saint Louis (MO).>/p>
The Ursuline Sisters Tournament was not just about volleyball but also embodied connection, faith, and sisterhood. Each of our schools shares the same spirit and foundation built on the teaching of Saint Angela Merici, who encouraged young women to be bold and to lead with compassion and faith. Even though we came from different areas of the country, we quickly found that we shared something more profound—the pride and values of being Ursuline women.
We began our weekend by shadowing students at Ursuline Academy of St. Louis, attending classes, learning about their unique traditions, and getting a glimpse into their community. It was amazing to see how their daily routines reflected similar activities from our school in Dedham. On the court, the Ursuline Dedham team played with energy and heart, defeating New Orleans.
At the start of the day, before each match, we gathered in a circle, holding hands and praying together; we were grounded in our shared faith, and remembering that, win or lose, the weekend’s goal was to grow together as Ursuline sisters.
Moments off the court were just as memorable. On Friday night, students from all the schools gathered in small groups for a team bonding night, which included an escape room and game show activities. It was so much fun to share, laugh, and laugh, and learn about one another beyond the volleyball court. By the end of the night, it didn’t matter which team we were on; we were cheering for each other, solving clues, and celebrating as one team.
Saturday morning, we gathered for breakfast at Ursuline and played volleyball, losing to the host team. That day, I met an Ursuline nun from France who told us about her experiences in Paris. This opened my eyes to the worldwide interconnectedness of Ursuline. That evening brought us together again for Mass at St. Peter Catholic Church, followed by a “Taste of St. Louis” dinner at the school. Finally, we played trivia, giving us one last chance to have fun and laugh with each other. As we shared a meal and talked with our new friends about our schools, traditions, and teams, we came to realize how special our Ursuline connection truly is and how vast the sisterhood is beyond our Dedham campus.
I came home from this trip with memories of volleyball games, but more importantly, I came home with new friendships that I know will last far beyond the weekend. Whether we were competing, laughing during activities, or praying hand-in-hand, we were reminded that being an Ursuline woman means being part of a larger sisterhood that builds the legacy of Saint Angela Merici for new generations.
This trip reminded us that we are all connected through faith, teamwork, and shared experiences, no matter where our Ursuline home may be.