Quidditch team tries to bounce back from a hard season

Alex+Pucciarelli%2C+musical+theatre+sophomore%2C+prepares+for+brooms+up+in+a+quidditch+match+against+the+University+of+Southern+Mississippi+on+Tulanes+campus.+Loyolas+team+has+had+some+setbacks+this+season+due+to+injuries.+Photo+credit%3A+Zach+Brien

Alex Pucciarelli, musical theatre sophomore, prepares for “brooms up” in a quidditch match against the University of Southern Mississippi on Tulane’s campus. Loyola’s team has had some setbacks this season due to injuries. Photo credit: Zach Brien

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The team has played in two tournaments so far and Keevy Narcisse, head coach, is happy with the team’s performance so far.

“One of our strengths is that we have a lot of experience. We’re just getting into our groove now, and we can still improve on working together as a team, and getting the chemistry down,” Narcisse said.

Because of the team’s deep roster, Narcisse has been able to find players to step into the roles of the injured players until they get back on their feet. He feels it’s fortunate that the team is a supportive environment, where the injured players can be sure that their teammates won’t think they are letting the team down, but rather understand that that its important to let their injuries heal.

“We take injuries very seriously. We make sure everyone gets the proper medical attention. It’s about personal health before the game. Because we have had experience with injuries in the past, and people have stepped away, there’s not a stigma,”Narcisse said.

With the injuries and the growing chemistry of the team, Sian Hairston, team captain, is a bit uncertain of where the team will end up in the final tournament of the season.

“It’s definitely not to early to say, but I just really don’t know what’s gonna happen. We have some favorable matchups in the next tournament but I am confident that we won’t drop out,” Hairston said.

And like Narcisse, Hairston also believes that one of the keys going forward is not only health but team chemistry.

“When it comes down to it you can be as big and as fast as you wanna be, but on the pitch if you don’t have that chemistry or that flow things will slowly fall apart. You see that with a lot of teams. We have to have general team bonding,” Hairston said.

8T8A6667 wb.JPGAlex Pucciarelli, musical theatre sophomore, prepares for “brooms up” in a quidditch match against the University of Southern Mississippi on Tulane’s campus. Loyola’s team has had some setbacks this season due to injuries. Photo credit: Zach Brien