Mock Trial finished its year with a loss in the semifinals to Westfield High School, after beating Guerin Catholic High School in the quarterfinals.

Club sponsor Holly Hochstedler said via email, “(The team) actually had a very successful year.”

According to Hochstedler, the team consisted of all new students except for one, which allows most of the team members from this year to come back next year.

“We will hopefully bring back all the underclassmen,” said Hochstedler. She said their knowledge and experience will be critical for next year’s team.

Hochstedler also said, “The seniors have left behind a group of students who will follow in their footsteps.” According to her, the seniors left behind a good work ethic and high expectations for a solid 2016 team.

Andrew Ardizone, team member and sophomore, said, “(The seniors) left behind good experience, both in knowledge and professionalism.”

He said they also left behind friendships that formed over the season.

The team will use several videotapes of trials from this year for next year. Ardizone said preparation will be the key to improving the team next year.

“We were never unprepared; just, there were situations in which more prep work was needed,” he said.

Hochstedler said she encourages students to come out and try for the Mock Trial team next year and to listen for announcements concerning their call-out meeting in Oct. 2016.