Despite not always having a large audience and not being known for great success around St. Paul Academy and Summit School, the varsity fencing team has high hopes for this season. “We’ve got a whole bunch of new kids, which is exciting,” senior captain Peter Driscoll said. The team anticipates changes in the coaching staff, which Driscoll expects will motivate better play from the fencers. “We have three coaches this year; one for each blade, so everyone’s going to get more attention,” Driscoll said. “I think that’ll help our chances because we’re going to be better-prepared.” Looking towards the end of the season, Driscoll anticipates the continued success that has been a hallmark of the team’s play over the past few years. “SPA usually places pretty well in the state tournament, so I think we’re going to uphold that,” Driscoll said. But at the moment, he’s focused on committing to his own division and his own group of fencers, saying, “I really hope that I can at least motivate the foilists into fencing better this year.”