When Women’s Athletic Director Dawn Hemm first arrived at Sacred Heart in 1992, the school had just 235 students, and female athletes were a defining part of campus culture. 

Before Sacred Heart became fully coeducational in 1984, it was an all-girls school. Women’s sports were dominant, highly visible, and central to student life. That legacy carried into the 1990s, when SHP women’s athletics began building a reputation for competitive excellence. 

One of the most significant eras in women’s sports came in the early 1990s, when the girls basketball team won five state championships: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and again in 1999  — this time coached by Mr. Lamont Quattlebaum, who is now Dean of Students. During that stretch, the program also set a state record by winning 80 consecutive games. The program became a source of pride for the school and helped establish Sacred Heart Prep as a serious competitor at the highest level. Volleyball also had a strong run during this time, contributing to a culture of success across multiple programs. 

At that time, teams were placed into divisions based on school size. Sacred Heart, despite its small enrollment, chose to compete in Division I, the highest level, and still won multiple titles. 

Girls volleyball also had a dominant stretch, winning state titles in 1995 and 1996. What made that era especially unique was the overlap between these title-winning volleyball and basketball rosters. According to Hemm, more athletes played multiple sports in earlier decades than they do today, creating a tight-knit and competitive athletic community. Hemm said, “Some of those played basketball and volleyball; you do not see that as often anymore.”

Softball was another powerhouse. Competing in Division I, the team produced standout players and even All-American talent. Many softball athletes also played volleyball and basketball, reflecting a time when multiple-sport participation was common. However, in the early 2000s, the softball stadium was demolished to build the Homer building. 

The early 2000s marked a period of athletic expansion. Girls lacrosse was introduced when the sport was still new to California. With no established leagues at first, players sometimes competed against boys teams. The program began modestly, but eventually developed into one of the strongest girls lacrosse programs in the state. 

One of the most significant changes in women’s sports on campus has been the increased investment in facilities and training. Upgraded courts, fields, and aquatic facilities, along with improved training resources, have attracted athletes and resulted in high performance. Hemm explained that, “Upgrading our facilities has made a significant difference in attracting high-level student-athletes.”

Varsity Girls Tennis athlete Jena Azmeh ‘26 credits these improvements with having elevated the seriousness of the program. She said, “Our courts are individually fenced, which not many schools have. It keeps matches competitive and focused.” She also noted the addition of structured weight training twice a week, which has increased discipline and preparedness. Although tennis may not always draw the largest crowds, she emphasized the level of commitment and mental toughness required. 

Varsity Girls Water Polo athlete Alexandra Krna ‘27 highlighted the importance of leadership and legacy. Representing Sacred Heart Prep, she said, means playing for something larger than oneself and continuing a tradition built on by previous athletes. With upgraded facilities and a strong coaching staff, the aquatic program has maintained high standards even through coaching transitions. As an upperclassman, she now focuses on setting an example for younger athletes, just as she once looked up to older players. 

Despite growth and success, girls sports do not always receive the same recognition as boys’ programs. Still, the visibility of women’s athletics has increased in recent years. The addition of girls flag football reflects that shift. 

Ella Horn ‘28, who plays flag football and lacrosse, sees the sport as evidence of progress. “I’ve seen more people coming to our games and more articles being written about girls sports,” Horn said. ”Flag football shows that SHP is evolving in representing more female athletes.”

From the dominance of basketball, softball, and volleyball in the 1990s, to the development of lacrosse in the early 2000s, and now to the expansion of opportunities through flag football, women’s athletics at Sacred Heart Prep have changed and evolved many times. What began as a strong tradition in an all-girls environment has grown into a diverse and competitive program shaped by improved facilities, dedicated coaching, and a new generation of athletes determined to carry the legacy forward.