The Saginaw Valley State University dance team is preparing to defend its national title at the DTU College Classic Nationals in Orlando, Florida, from April 10-12.
The team will compete in three categories: pom, team and Spirit Showdown. SVSU earned a national championship in Division II pom last season and is aiming to defend the title while also looking to reclaim the Division II team title this season.
“Looking ahead, I’m especially excited to watch my teammates perform in Spirit Showdown at nationals,” said Dance Team Captain and junior Ava Mendoza. “This category showcases our school spirit and love for SVSU while competing against all divisions.”
Mendoza has a unique opportunity to be involved behind the scenes, with insight into performances, training sessions and choreography.
“Last season is when I got the privilege of choreographing our program’s very first Spirit Showdown, which earned us a second-place placement,” she said. “This season I hope to bring the inspiring energy from the SVSU football game day experience to the national stage in Orlando.”
A major change for the dance team this year is the addition of a new coach. Team members said their new coach values building a strong team culture and has been focused on creating an environment centered around respect, trust, authenticity and open-mindedness. They said this has helped them grow as individual dancers and as a team.
“I want to thank our coaches, Kat Albertson and Marlayna Russo, for giving us opportunities to grow and for loving us endlessly,” Mendoza said.
Their team motto this year is “United as One,” which reflects how the team has come together and supported one another throughout the season.
“I’m most looking forward to soaking in every last minute with both my teammates and all our loved ones who are coming to support us,” said team secretary and senior Victoria Koury. “Being a senior is bittersweet and I would not change this experience for the world.”
As the team prepares for nationals, members have spent the last few months setting and working toward goals to prepare for the national stage. “I’m feeling nervous but very excited to show off all our hard work. I’m most looking forward to performing in front of our SVDT family,” said freshman Kimberly Williams.
The team creates new goals each month and holds one another accountable and pushes each other as dancers. This helps not only to grow as individuals, but as a whole team. Preparation includes mandatory runs, workouts and training outside of regular practices.
“The season has felt so rewarding since we’ve been putting in the work since August and continue to put in the work all the way through April,” said Mendoza. “Each day we show our dedication and commitment to improve.”
Now that their season is coming to an end with one last performance at nationals, the team members said it has been rewarding to look back at everything they’ve done this season to prepare.
“Being able to finally relax, reflect and just bond with the team after such a long, hard season is the best feeling,” said social media chair and sophomore Alaysia Davis.
Team members said the hard work has been worth it and they’re eager to showcase their routines at their national showcase on March 29, 2026, and at nationals in April.
The National Showcase was an event on campus where the SVSU dance team performed their national dances and had other dancers from local studios perform routines as well. Family, friends and other supporters came and watched the dancers and cheered everyone on.
The event lasted around two hours and after everyone performed, dancers and supporters gathered around for pictures and time to cheer the SVSU dance team on as they head to nationals in just under two weeks.
“I’m very excited for my last showcase,” Koury said. “We have been working hard all season, and it’s a special full circle moment to finally have the event on campus after two years away.”
