This season the girls basketball team at Notre Dame was very successful, taking the regional title and playing well against Beaver Dam in the sectional finals.

Many individuals contributed to the team’s outstanding performance.  

One of the young players on the team who put in a lot of effort and dedicates a great many hours to the sport is sophomore Samantha Opichka, who describes herself as hardworking and competitive.  

Her teammates would probably describe her as a team player; to her coaches she was “critical” to the team’s performance.

Opichka started played basketball in third grade and developed a strong passion for the game.

“I decided to play because my older sister played and my dad was my coach,” she said.  This close connection with basketball accompanied her all through elementary and middle school.

Despite its challenges and demands, basketball also delivers an inexhaustible amount of relief.

”What I love about basketball is the ability to be on the court and forget about everything else except for the game,” said the sophomore.  

She calls it an honor to play NDA basketball.

“Being part of an amazing program with hardworking, dedicated teammates and coaches is so unique,” she explained.

Opichka tried many sports during childhood, and volleyball was one of her favorites.  A former NDA star, now her assistant varsity coach, encouraged and inspired her to focus on basketball.  That coach, Eliza Campbell, is excited about the potential she sees in Opichka.

“The key point in the success of our team this year was our team chemistry,” Opichka said in looking back at the season and ahead to next year.  

”I feel very grateful that I have a role on the team, and I give all my teammates and coaches credit for their hard work and pushing me to be the best player I can be.”