Tag: Meghan Linkkila

2022 Hockomock League Volleyball Preview

2022 Hockomock League Volleyball Preview
Franklin will be looking for another league title this fall. Check out our team-by-team breakdown of the upcoming Hockomock League volleyball season. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

By HockomockSports.com Staff

2022 Hockomock League Volleyball Preview

2022 Hockomock Volleyball Preview

Attleboro

2021 Record: 9-10
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Round of 32
Coach: Mary Katherine Runey
For the first time in more than a decade, Attleboro got the taste of playoff volleyball and the Bombardiers have younger players stepping into leadership positions that will give them a solid foundation for another tournament run. There is excitement around the program and opening the new gym has added another layer to the fall.

One of the reasons for the energy in the team is sophomore outside hitter Julia Leonardo, who jumped in as a freshman and became one of the most dynamic hitters in the league. Junior setter Natalie Brojek has been an all-around standout for the past two seasons and makes the team click. Senior Tigin Bombardier will give Attleboro experience in the middle.

Those are the only three returning players from last year, but there are several new faces that could make an instant impact. Sophomores Addison and Ellie Shelton are new hitters that will give depth on the outside. Juniors Sadie Whitmarsh and Julia Mondello will provide defensive solidity to the back line.

“The level of success we achieved last season certainly changed the tone of our entire program, and I believe our future is bright,” said Attleboro coach Mary Katherine Runey. “As a young team, we have spent the past two weeks learning how to play together and in the next few weeks, we will need to learn how to win together. As we progress through the season, our goal is to minimize errors in order to efficiently run our offense and showcase the talent within our team.”

Canton

2021 Record: 15-7
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 16
Coach: Pat Cawley
Canton has established itself as one of the perennial powers year in and year out, and one thing that comes with that territory is graduating a handful of talented seniors each year. Last year was no exception, but Hall of Fame coach Pat Cawley has shown time and time again she will have a competitive squad that’s much better by the end of the season than the start.

The Bulldogs graduated all but two starters, bringing back juniors Jess Wright at outside hitter and Fatima Sidibay at middle blocker. Cawley will be leaning heavily on them for their guidance of a young and inexperienced squad. Wright isn’t just one of the best outside hitters, she can play just about anywhere on the court and showed tremendous growth throughout last season. After showing off some great blocking skills last year, the Dogs will look for some more offensive production on swings from the middle from Sidibay. Senior captain Liana Lamparelli and sophomore Sally Hoban will provide depth offensively.

Defensively, Canton is looking at sophomore defensive specialist Zoe Scibelli, who saw meaningful minutes in the back row a year ago. Haley Duhaime, Liz Beale, Neveah Osborne, and Riley Costa round out the senior class and will contribute valuable minutes for Canton this year.

“We have many moving parts at this point but the young, inexperienced group is willing to work hard and anxious to learn,” Cawley said. “Three setters and several defensive players are vying for time on the court. The growth potential is exponential and it will be fun to watch the progression. The extremely competitive Hock will help accelerate the learning curve!”







Foxboro

2021 Record: 4-17
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 3 Round of 32
Coach: Vicki Santana
With 11 seniors returning to the roster this year, Foxboro is looking to have a bounce-back year and return to the state tournament with an improved rating in the MIAA’s statewide system.

The Warriors have key pieces back at all spots on the court and head coach Vicki Santana is optimistic about the season after a strong showing so far this preseason. Sami Sloan led the squad with 111 kills last season and is back as one of the outside hitters along with Juliana Pettigrew (88 kills) and Ava Hill. Foxboro also has both of its middles back with Mallorie Meyer, a Hock all star a year ago with 80 kills and 46 aces, and Ava Kirk both returning.

Defensively, the Warriors have their libero back in the lineup in senior Shannon McElhinney, who had 157 digs last year and was a Hock honorable mention selection.

“All of these players bring a love for the sport and determination to win,” Santana said. “We only graduated two seniors last year so we are hoping that with most of the team being returning varsity players we will have a very competitive season. So far the team has been playing great at our preseason scrimmages so hopefully, we carry that energy into our first game vs Milford!”

2022 Hockomock Volleyball Preview

Franklin

2021 Record: 18-2 (Kelley-Rex co-champion)
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Final Four
Coach: Samantha Redmond
Although Franklin only graduated a small number of seniors from last year’s team that made the Division 1 state semifinals, the Panthers lost a lot of production.

Gone are Caitlyn Mackintosh, last year’s HockomockSports Player of the Year, Lindsey Tarantola, a league all star that led the league in blocks, and Brigid Earley, one of the top middles in the Hock. But this isn’t the first time the Panthers have lost a talented senior class, multiple all stars, or even an MVP – and they’ve always found a way to come back and compete as a top team in the league.

Three-year starter Taylor Lacerda returns to pace the offense, leading the Panthers in kills a year ago as a sophomore with 155. She’s the lone six rotation returner in the group so head coach Samantha Redmond – who picked up a boost on the bench with the addition of former head coach Kelsey Weymouth as an assistant – will be looking for new faces to step into key roles at the net.

There will be some changes along the backline as senior Meghan Linkkila will move from the libero position to take over as the setter, and classmate and fellow captain Georgia Harvey, who was a defensive specialist last year, will take on the libero role.

“Franklin volleyball is really excited to continue our hard work this year,” Redmond said. “We lost a strong four seniors last year but we are confident that this new class of players will bring a lot of diversity to our offense and defense. We look forward to proving ourselves in the Hockomock once again!”




King Philip

2021 Record: 22-2 (Kelley-Rex co-champion)
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Final Four
Coach: Kristen Geuss
King Philip has shared the Kelley-Rex title for the past three seasons and with a senior-laden roster, the Warriors look ready to make a push for another division crown. After a run to the Div. 2 state semifinal. KP has the experience and the depth at the net to be a threat for another deep tournament run.

The Warriors will be strong up front. Senior middle Emily Sawyer made her varsity debut as a junior and immediately became one of the best hitters in the league. The Sacred Heart-commit is an impact player on both sides of the net. Senior Sami Shore gives KP the most dynamic middle pairing in the league and can dominate a match. If teams try to bottle up the middle of the net, then senior Ahunna James can take over on the outside, giving KP great attacking balance. Seniors Olivia O’Neil and Missy Canning add depth at hitter and senior setter Kiera Hagen will run the offense this year.

In addition to the seniors, KP can count on junior right-side Kate O’Neil and juniors Ryann O’Sullivan, Emily Zappala, and Fiona Bailey on the outside. On the back line, juniors Shea Mellman, Ava Kelley, and Meghan Sullivan provide strong defensive play. Sophomore setter Madison Asprelli is a newcomer who could step into a bigger role over the course of the season.

“We are working hard to build on our success from last year,” said KP coach Kristen Geuss. “We have good chemistry and the girls are looking forward to the season.”

2022 Hockomock Volleyball Preview

Mansfield

2021 Record: 9-8
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 32
Coach: Tara DeGirolamo
Making the switch to the Davenport division this season, Mansfield is looking to ride a mix of veterans and new players to some success on the court this year.

Second-year head coach Tara DeGirolamo is excited for the season to get underway as she tries to fit all the right pieces together for her squad. Junior Elyssa Buchanan burst onto the scene as an attacking option last year and will be one of the Hornets’ go-to hitters on the outside along with senior Ella Mahoney. In the middle, Lexie Scibilia will be looking to build on her big season last year (48 blocks) along with senior Lily Campbell.

There are a lot of options at setter with senior captain Isabella Flint (132 assists) back as one of the primary ball handlers with junior Kiera Fitzpatrick and freshman Tessa Blaqueir both in the mix as well. The setters will also have options on the right side with senior captain Lilly Verheggan and junior Anna Goulet taking swings from the opposite side, with senior Savannah Carey and juniors Sophia Capaolupo and Elena O’Keefe providing depth.

Defensively, DeGirolamo will lean on senior libero Jackie Zelic to anchor the defense along with junior defensive specialists Lauren Rubicine and Jocelyn Gibson.

“Our setters have great court awareness and mesh very well with our diverse group of hitters,” DeGirolamo said. “We’re excited for the season.”

Milford

2021 Record: 8-11
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 32
Coach: Tammy Webber
Between a handful of varsity returners and a group of eager new faces ready to make their mark, Milford is looking to challenge in the Kelley-Rex and book a spot in the state tournament.

The heart of the Hawks will be in the middle of the lineup with the team’s leader in kills from a year ago Aliza Syed back to anchor both the offense and the defense. She had a breakout season with 187 kills, 61 aces, and 34 blocks, which were all first on the team. She will be flanked by junior Maeve Driscoll on the outside, who jumps into the starting lineup this year and will play in the back row as well. Senior Molly Hartman provides depth at the outside hitter spot.

“[Aliza] will be counted on to carry us in those categories once again this season,” said Milford head coach Tammy Webber. “She is strong and athletic with a tough serve and can hit with power.”

Milford also returns its starting setter in senior captain Emily Croteau, who finished inside the top five in the league in assists last season. Having a year of experience under her belt, the Hawks will lean on her confidence and skill to spread the ball around and run the offense. Senior defensive specialist Carley Haley will anchor the backline.




2022 Hockomock Volleyball Preview

North Attleboro

2021 Record: 9-10
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 32
Coach: Rachel Gould
After making a push for a playoff spot last season, North Attleboro will make a change on the sidelines as Rachel Gould takes over this fall. The Rocketeers will also be returning to the ultra-competitive Kelley-Rex division and with five varsity players back in the lineup North will be looking to fight for another tournament spot.

The senior class will need to provide leadership for the new faces in this year’s squad. Senior Avery Bitar will give the team a defensive solidity as the libero. Senior Grace Dirschel is the returning setter from last season and senior Sarah Kayata is another strong backline player that should help North keep points alive.

Up front, seniors Haley Carr and Mariah Barbosa are returning middle hitters that can step in and swing and also make an impact on the block. Freshman Lincoln Abramaitys will get the chance to shine right from the start as the team’s main outside hitter. Abramaitys is the only underclassman on the roster this year.

“I have a great group of hard-working talented athletes and I think we are going to have a competitive season this year,” Gould explained.

Oliver Ames

2021 Record: 16-5 (Davenport champion)
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 16
Coach: Chelsea Cunningham
Oliver Ames is ready to get on the court and defend its Davenport division title.

The Tigers know they’ll be challenged by perennial powerhouse Canton, division newcomer Mansfield, a veteran-filled Foxboro squad, and the rest of the division, and they’ll have to overcome the graduation of the versatile Hadley Rhodes, but OA has some top talent returning at almost every position.

Senior Maddie Homer is back for yet another season as the libero to anchor the back line. An All-State selection a year ago, Homer will be joined by junior Rachel Fleischman, another returner, in the back row to give the Tigers an experienced defensive duo.

Offensively, there will be more familiar faces taking swings at the net. Senior captain Courtney Raymond (56 kills, 18 blocks) is back in the middle as one of OA’s primary attackers and she’ll be complemented by a pair of terrific outside hitters in junior Sarah Hilliard (272 kills) and Claire O’Rourke (156 kills). Sophomore Addyson Smock bolsters the middle block while sophomore Clare Kavoulis and junior Paula Romero provide some depth.

“There is something special about this group,” said OA head coach Chelsea Cunningham. “The talent speaks for itself, they’re putting in the work, and they are eager to compete. These girls know everything is “earned not given” – which happens to be our program’s motto this season. With that, they know there’s a lot of work to do to make this the best season yet. If they commit to one another and the goals we set from the start, there’s no doubt in my mind that they’ll do just that.”

2022 Hockomock Volleyball Preview

Sharon

2021 Record: 6-14
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 32
Coach: Andrea Lovett
It has been two straight impressive seasons for the Sharon volleyball program. Two years ago, during Fall II, the Eagles nearly won a league title and would’ve booked a playoff spot if a tournament was held. Last season, Sharon not only reached the state tournament but also won its first-round match against Revere. With a brand new gym and five seniors on the roster, Sharon will be hoping the momentum carries over to this fall.

Sharon will be counting on the development of its senior hitters. Amanda Brown will be the main target on the outside, while Olivia Nau has been impressive on the right side. The middle should be tough on both sides of the net with junior Jasmine Davis stepping up as both a blocker and hitter and senior Sam Dunham adding depth after her move up from the JV team. Junior Sonja Gray will be the main setter for the team again this season with help from classmate Masha Dolienkova.

The Eagles also have experience on the back line and players with athleticism to keep points alive. Senior Emily Coplan and junior Sophia Pandey will share the libero duties and sophomore Sasha Nierenberg and senior Evelina Kravets will support them as defensive specialists.

“Possibly the most important aspect of this team is their love of the game combined with a great work ethic and the tenacity to stay in the game regardless of the score,” said Sharon coach Andrea Lovett, who returns to the sidelines after being an assistant in 2021. “These kids simply love volleyball and it shows on the court.”

2022 Hockomock Volleyball Preview

Stoughton

2021 Record: 1-15
2021 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Felicia Baptista
Stoughton is coming off a difficult 2021 season. The Black Knights picked up just one win last fall, but they have several new faces that could step in and get the program heading back into tournament contention. It may be a smaller roster this season, but head coach Felicia Baptista believes the talent and attitude are right to get things kicked off.

Junior Maya Ashu will be one of the primary attacking threats for Stoughton this season. She will be a critical spot in the front row and has developed into a strong hitter. Junior hitter Annalia Eschleman is also back and will give Stoughton more athleticism. Senior Patrik Oliveira has been a standout on the back row and gives the Black Knights all-around play with his quickness and versatility.

Other players that could step into the starting lineup for Stoughton this season are sophomore Reagan Lewis and junior Alyssa Edwards. Both are strong athletes that will give the Black Knights more control of the middle of the net.

“This year our team is much smaller and much more prepared than in past seasons,” said Baptista. “They have been putting in lots of work this year and it shows right from day one.”

2022 Hockomock Volleyball Preview

Taunton

2021 Record: 8-14
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Round of 32
Coach: Toby Chaperon
Taunton boasts a strong group of seniors, and with the addition of some underclassmen and new additions to the program, the Tigers are looking for an improved campaign in 2022.

Senior middle Hayley Krockta will be a force at the net this season but can play at all spots on the court. She will be one of the best servers on the team and can step right in and pass like a defensive specialist. She’ll be swinging at sets off the fingertips of classmate Anna Abouzied, another returner for the Tigers. Abouzied is a terrific passer in the back row and will also run the offense as the setter.

“Hayley will be a force at the net this year,” said Taunton head coach Toby Chaperon. “And Anna can do it all too, she has the ability to hit and pass very well. We’re looking forward to having a good year.”

Senior Mia Fernandes will provide a boost of energy from the back row as the libero, flying all over the court to keep the play alive, and will be joined by classmate Megan Rose as a defensive specialist. Sayla DePina, another senior, will look to give Taunton some swings from the right side and set the block on opposing outside hitters. Rylie Roderick will add some depth at the net and at the service line for Taunton while head coach Toby Chaperon will look to incorporate transfers Morgan Fitzgerald (opposite/DS) and Julia Mitton (setter).

Juniors Jaden Sabina, Janelle Garcia, and Morgan Smith will all get some swings at the net while classmates Caroline Pietnik, Randi MacLeod, and Courtney Martin provide solid depth. Sophomore Adrianna Amaral has impressed early on this season and will get some swings at middle hitter while eighth grader Sadie Herry will be in the mix as a defensive specialist.

Fantastic Finish for Franklin to Reach D1 Final Four

Franklin Volleyball
Brigid Earley (12) and Delaney Zolnowski (11) go up for a block in the second set of Franklin’s 3-0 victory over Barnstable in the D1 quarterfinal. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

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FRANKLIN, Mass. – Even after winning the first two sets, Franklin knew that it didn’t want to allow Barnstable, a perennial state power, to build any momentum in Friday afternoon’s Div. 1 quarterfinal, but the Redhawks led 24-18 in the third set and were poised to stay alive in the match.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

Then Franklin got a kill from Taylor Lacerda, then an ace from Cailyn Mackintosh. A hit went long, the setter was called for a carry, and then a net violation. Suddenly, the Panthers were only down one. Brigid Earley blasted a kill on the outside to end a rally and Franklin had stormed back, saving six set points to tie the third at 24-24.

Twice the Panthers would take the lead but both times Barnstable answered and even had a seventh set point after a swing that went long. Earley stepped up yet again, ripping another kill off the block and tying things at 27 apiece. A shot into the net gave the Panthers a chance to serve out the match and this time they didn’t pass it up.

After that stunning third-set comeback, Franklin advanced to the final four for only the second time in program history with a 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 29-27) win, avenging a loss to the then Raiders in the 2018 state semifinal.

“They are capable of so much if they just believe in themselves,” said Franklin coach Samantha Redmond. “With every point that started to come back, they started to believe it more and more that they could take and that they could do it and it’s not worth it to give up and go to a fourth when you can win the third, so let’s try to win the third.”

Mackintosh, who had struggled from the service line earlier in the match before stepping up in the third, added, “I think it shows the resilience of our team. We never give up, we’re always in for the fight. We know we can come back from stuff like that.”

Although every coach focuses on the next match and tries not to put extra emphasis on any one opponent, Redmond admitted there is something special about beating a program that has established itself as one of the best in the state year-in, year-out.

She said, “Every game is important and we treat it as such, but Barnstable is Barnstable and after 2018 and just knowing how fantastic of a program they have, today was a big win and of course they’re only going to get bigger and bigger.”

The Panthers got off to a great start to the match, particularly at the net. After an Earley block earlier in the point, Delaney Zolnowski put Franklin in front with a kill. Earley followed with one of her own and Lacerda added an ace. Back-to-back kills by Earley and Cate Roberge made it 11-4.

As expected, Barnstable didn’t go down easy and chipped away at the Franklin lead. Lindsey Tarantola had a nice angled kill that was followed by a service point from Georgia Harvey and a Mackintosh bump that dropped in to keep the Panthers up by six.

The Redhawks started to get hitters Neely Alger and Allison Nystrom going on the outside to stay within striking distance in the first, but Zolnowski stemmed the tide by picking the back corner with a shot. Barnstable put together a big run late in the set, winning seven of nine points to get within one at 22-21. Redmond didn’t call timeout, trusting her team to figure it out and the Panthers closed out the first on a Zolnowski block.

Things were back-and-forth right from the start of the second set. Earley kept up her strong start with a pair of kills and a block, continuing to turn in big performances in big matches.

“For some reason Brigid Earley goes unnoticed, all 6-foot-3 of her, but she pops up at the best times,” said Redmond. “She has a very calm demeanor about her from playing basketball and playing volleyball and lacrosse and being in those really big, important games. She’s fantastic and doesn’t get enough credit.”

Tarantola had two blocks on one series that ended in an error and tied the set 7-7. Libero Meghan Linkkila had an ace but then the Redhawks won three straight points, only stopped by another kill from Earley. After Roberge made it 17-14 with a good swing, the visitors went on another run, winning five of the next six to take a lead. Lacerda answered with consecutive points to make it 20-19 and then a well-placed tip down the line to make 21-21.

A kill from Earley and a service point for Lacerda gave Franklin a set point and a mishit from Barnstable dropped long to put the Panthers on the brink.

The third set started tight, with neither team able to gain a big advantage. A Lacerda ace tied things at 14 apiece, but then Barnstable went on a rally and looked set to pull away. A block by Alger put the Redhawks in front and then Molly Gleason started picking on the back corner with her serve, running off five straight to move ahead 20-14.

A Tarantola kill and an ace from Linkkila got Franklin within four (22-18) but then a long rally ended with a push shot from Laura Cogswell that dropped in and an ace by Emma Corley.

It looked like Franklin was going to be pushed to a fourth set and that the visitors might be grabbing the momentum in the match, but the Panthers dug deep, chipping away until they had booked a place in the final four. There was no one that Redmond would rather have had at the service line at that point than Mackintosh.

Redmond said, “Not only did I feel comfortable with her back there but it showed that she felt comfortable. She went more back into her element and her flow of just get it over the net. That’s all you have to do is get it over the net and the team will do the rest.”

“To come out strong and beat them 3-0 definitely means a lot,” Mackintosh remarked. “It’s a lot of joy for us, especially for the seniors because we were here and in the program for that [loss in 2018]. It’s really just awesome for us.”

Franklin (20-1), the top seed, will face the winner of No. 4 Concord-Carlisle and No. 5 Needham at a date, time, and location to be determined.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

Franklin Rallies Past KP For Share Of Kelley-Rex Crown

Franklin volleyball Cate Roberge
Franklin junior Cate Roberge attacks the ball in the fifth set against King Philip. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)
ByRyanLanigan_2016FollowRyanLanigan_2016
 
 
 FRANKLIN, Mass. – The state tournament doesn’t start for another week or so, but fans were treated to a preview of what’s to come on Thursday evening.

Franklin volleyball

Franklin overcome a 2-1 deficit to take down previously undefeated King Philip in a five-set thriller, 3-2 (25-22, 17-25, 15-25, 26-24, 15-11), in a clash of the Hockomock League’s two best teams, and two squads that are poised for deep runs in the postseason.

With the win, Franklin claims a share of the Kelley-Rex division title along with the Warriors. It marks the third straight season the two teams have shared the division crown. At least one of the two programs has won the division each year dating back to the 2013 season.

Click here for a photo gallery from this match.

Franklin volleyball

Earlier this season, Franklin saw a two-set advantage slip away on the road in Wrentham. On Thursday night, the Panthers won the first set but were five points from getting swept on the season, trailing 2-1 overall and 20-17 in the fourth set.

“The girls have definitely been looking forward to this one. It’s tough to go on the road, and we didn’t finish what we started there,” said Franklin head coach Samantha Redmond. “KP is such a good team so we know we had to bring our ‘A’ game. With our fans, in our gym, we knew we had to bring it tonight. Every game we’ve played since, they were taking things and preparing for this one.”

In front of a packed house that created a playoff-esque environment, the top two teams in the Hockomock went back-and-forth, trading kills, blocks, aces, key digs, and hustle plays to keep the action going. Just when it looked like the match was heading in one direction, it took a turn.

“We talked about focusing on what they had to do, who they are as players,” Redmond said. “KP is a fantastic team and they bring out the best in us. Sometimes in these games when it doesn’t go your way, you give up a little and you stop playing your game. It was just about playing their game the best they could, and I thought they did that, I thought they put their all in and left it all on the court.”










Franklin used the momentum from the home crowd to come out swinging and take the first set. Senior Brigid Earley recorded five of her team-high 18 blocks in the opening set, including one that preceded back-to-back aces from Jennifer Soohoo to give the Panthers a 14-7 lead early on.

Franklin volleyball

The Panthers kept the advantage around that same range but a couple of kills from KP junior Ahunna James (14 kills, 11 digs) kept the Warriors close, and a strong serve from libero Samantha Asprelli got the visitors within two at 24-22 but Franklin setter Cailyn Mackintosh (46 assists, 13 digs, six kills, six aces) alertly swung at the first free ball back over and got a kill to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

“This game could have gone either way…Franklin played great, we played great, it really could have gone either way,” said KP head coach Kristen Geuss. “I don’t think we’ve ever had a season going 19-1 so that in and of itself, I couldn’t be prouder of. What we’ll take away from this is that we’ll play each point for what it’s worth. They’ve had a lot of pressure on them the whole season, they’ve had a big target on their backs and everyone wants to beat us and that’s a lot. I think this prepares for whatever is out there in the tournament.”

KP got off to a better start in the second set as junior Sami Shore (team-high 18 kills on 28 attempts) had three kills in KP’s first five points. James added four kills and a good serve put KP ahead 12-6, prompting an early timeout. The break didn’t slow the Warriors too much as James had a kill, Shore added an ace, and Emily Sawyer (10 kills, six blocks) placed a perfect tip into space for a 19-13 lead.

Franklin volleyball

Franklin closed the gap to four after a nice tip from Cate Roberge and a high-IQ decision on a dump by Mackintosh on the second ball, but that would be as close as the Panthers would get the rest of the set. Sawyer had back-to-back monster blocks and then put down a kill of her own, Liv Carey (12 kills) added a kill, and Shore put an exclamation mark on the set with another kill to make it 1-1.

King Philip seemed to gain a lot of confidence from evening the match and that carried over into the third set. The Warriors once again had a strong start, getting an early ace from Stella Bailey (53 assists, six aces) and a pair of early kills from Carey, which was a sign of things to come this set.

Carey had nearly half of her kills come in the third set, giving the Warriors another option along the net that not only made it difficult on the Panther defense, but also opened up opportunities for single blocks for Shore. KP made its move early on, turning a two-point deficit into a five-point lead with a 9-2 run that featured a kill and ace on back-to-back plays from Shore, a pair of kills from James, and a big block from Sawyer.




An ace from Asprelli pushed the lead to 18-13, forcing a Franklin time out. Again, KP marched on and finished the set with a 7-2 run, including back-to-back kills from Carey out of the timeout. A monster dig from Sofia Riedel kept KP in it late, setting up the clinching point for a 2-1 lead.

“We have several weapons and as a coach, that’s what you want,” Geuss said. “And what’s great is that they can all step up when we need them to and Liv did that in the third set for us.”

Mackintosh stole some of the momentum back by starting the fourth set with three straight aces, helping the Panthers settle back into the match. Besides Franklin’s 3-0 start and one point later in the set, the fourth set never had a lead greater than two points for either team. Franklin led 15-13 after a hitting error but KP rattled off fourth straight points, including a kill from Sawyer, to take a 17-15 advantage.

A service error gave KP a 20-17 lead but Franklin refused to go away. Sophomore Taylor Lacerda (16 kills, 11 digs) put down back-to-back kills, and then a big kill from Delaney Zolnowski on a quick set from Mackintosh got the Panthers within one. Mackintosh followed with an ace to make it 21-21.

Franklin volleyball

Franklin seized a 23-21 lead after putting the pressure on the KP defense but a kill from Shore and an ace from Bailey knotted it at 23-23. Franklin libero Meghan Linkkila made a terrific play to prevent a second straight ace from Bailey and the Panthers turned it into points on a kill from Lacerda. After trading hitting errors, KP thought they had tied it at 25-25 but the hit was ruled to have gone out without any touch.

And just like that, it was 2-2.

James sandwiched a pair of kills around one from Shore early on as KP built a 5-2 lead, and a nice roll shot from Sawyer from the 10-foot line pushed it to 7-3. After a timeout, Franklin rattled off four straight points including a nice line shot from Earley on a right side attempt and a big double block from Lindsey Tarantola and Roberge.

A reversed out-of-bounds call put the Panthers ahead but KP rattled off three straight, including a kill from Carey, to jump ahead 10-9. Franklin answered in the form of a kill from Roberge, who had a great night attacking with nine kills.

Click here for a photo gallery from this match.

“Cate has done a fantastic growing all year,” Redmond said. “It started with her fighting to just get into the starting spot, she had never played fully with Cailyn before so they’ve done a nice job working together, and she’s just done a fantastic job being a force at the net for us down the stretch.”

An ace from Soohoo and a kill from Lacerda was answered by one from James to make it a one-point match at 12-11, but Franklin finished it off with three straight points to get the win and share the division title.

Franklin volleyball

Franklin finishes the season at 15-1, both in league play and overall, while King Philip finishes at 15-1 in the Hock and 19-1 overall. Official volleyball rankings from the MIAA are set to be released on Monday and both squads are projected to have a home game to start.

Friday’s Schedule & Scoreboard – 10/01/21

Today’s games are listed below.

Football
Milford, 28 @ Attleboro, 0 – Final
1st Quarter: (M) Evan Cornelius 31-yard pass to Damien Carter, Nick Araujo XP good.
2nd Quarter: (M) Tyler Lane 1-yard rush, N. Araujo XP good.
3rd Quarter: (M) E. Cornelis 27-yard pass to Isaiah Pantalone, N. Araujo XP good.
4th Quarter: (M) Jack Veo 2-yard rush, N. Araujo XP good.

Canton, 8 @ North Attleboro, 42 – Final
1st Quarter: (NA) Tyler Bannon 13-yard rush, Tyler DeMattio XP good; (NA) T. DeMattio 44-yard rush, T. DeMattio XP good; (NA) Chase Frisoli 20-yard pass to Joey Perriello, T. DeMattio XP good; (NA) C. Frisoli 35-yard pass to Gavin Wells, T. DeMattio XP good.
2nd Quarter: (NA) C. Frisoli 14-yard pass to Gavin Wells, T. DeMattio XP good.
3rd Quarter: (NA) T. DeMattio 2-yard rush, Connor Rupert XP good.
4th Quarter: (C) Owen Lane 2-yard rush, Owen Lane 2pt rush.

Foxboro, 47 vs. Hopkinton, 12 – Final
1st Quarter: (F) Dylan Gordon 57-yard rush, XP failed; (F) Tom Marcucella 22-yard pass to D. Gordon, T. Marcucella 2pt pass to Rashaad Way; (F) T. Marcucella 80-yard pass to D. Gordon, Sam Carpenter XP good.
2nd Quarter: (F) D.Gordon 63-yard rush, S. Carpenter XP good; (F) S. Carpenter 30-yard field goal; (H) Hopkinton 8-yard pass, XP failed; (F) T. Marcucella 74-yard pass to R. Way, XP failed; (F) S. Carpenter 24-yard field goal.
3rd Quarter: (F) Tyler Prescott 9-yard rush, S. Carpenter XP good; (H) Hopkinton 9-yard pass, XP failed.
4th Quarter: No scoring.

Mansfield, 10 @ Franklin, 28 – Final – Click here for a Recap and Photo Gallery from this game.
1st Quarter: (F) Jared Arone 54-yard pass to Shane Kindred, Garrett Portesi XP good.
2nd Quarter: (F) J. Arone 8-yard pass to Grayson Hunter, G. Portesi XP good; (M) Drew Sacco 1-yard rush, James Gilleran XP good.
3rd Quarter: (M) J. Gilleran 30-yard field goal; (F) J. Arone 41-yard pass to Will Tracey, G. Portesi XP good.
4th Quarter: (F) J. Arone 34-yard pass to Jonathan Martins, G. Portesi XP good.

King Philip, 30 @ Taunton, 21 – Final
1st Quarter: (T) Evan Perrotta 14-yard rush, Nathan Keenan XP good; (KP) William Astorino 1-yard rush, Matthew Kelley XP good; (KP) M. Kelley 31-yard field goal.
2nd Quarter: (T) Jacob Leonard 56-yard pass to Jose Touron, N. Keenan XP good; (KP) Rudy Gately 1-yard rush, M. Kelley XP good; (KP) Charlie Grant 4-yard rush, M. Kelley XP good.
3rd Quarter: (KP) M. Kelley 41-yard field goal.
4th Quarter: (T) E. Perrotta 4-yard rush, N. Keenan XP good; (KP) M. Kelley 29-yard field goal.

Stoughton, 35 @ Oliver Ames, 7 – Final
1st Quarter: No scoring.
2nd Quarter: (S) Jarred Daughtry 49-yard pass to Emmett Pearl, Jonah Ly XP good.
3rd Quarter: (S) J. Ly 1-yard rush, J. Ly XP good.
4th Quarter: (S) Anthony Girolamo 16-yard rush, J. Ly XP good; (OA) Sean Friel 51-yard pass to Jack Morley, XP good; (S) A. Girolamo 45-yard rush, J. Ly XP good; (S) J. Daughtry 11-yard pass to Michael Jardim, J. Ly XP good.

Sharon, 14 @ Fairhaven, 42 – Final










Girls Soccer
Canton, 5 @ Sharon, 2 – Final – Canton pulled away late to grab a road win. Gabriella Herivaux led the way for the Bulldogs with a brace. Sofia Goclowski scored for Sharon on an assist by Olivia Soby. Amanda Hu also found the back of the net for the Eagles, assisted by Wendy Wooden.

Stoughton, 0 @ Norwood, 3 – Final – Shayla Ford played well in the loss for Stoughton, but couldn’t finish her chances. Mia Rivera also had a decent game in goal for the Black Knights and Sofia Issa continues to impress in the midfield.

Field Hockey
Attleboro, 2 @ King Philip, 3 – Final – Attleboro scored a pair of second half goals to level the match but King Philip sophomore Kelly Holmes scored on a beautiful aerial shot with just over two minutes to play to give the Warriors the win. Sophomore Mara Boldy opened the scoring in the first quarter on an assist from Sydney O’Shea and then Holmes scored to make it 2-0. Emma Briggs cut the deficit in half with a third quarter goal and Sarah McMahon tied it with under six to play before Holmes deposited her shot over everyone and into the far corner off of a penalty corner. Senior defenders Haley Izydorczak and Molly Piller both played outstanding in the win.

Canton, 7 @ Sharon, 0 – Final

Foxboro, 2 @ Oliver Ames, 4 – Final – After trading goals in the first half, Oliver Ames’ Erin Cottam scored twice in the second half to give the Tigers a key division win over Foxboro. Junior Tyla Delamere opened the scoring with her first career goal midway through the first quarter but Jenny Gallagher responded with just over a minute left in the period to make it 1-1. Georgia Costello put the hosts ahead just over a minute into the second but Gallagher answered again just over a minute later to send the teams into the halftime break knotted at 2-2. Cottam got her first goal of the game late in the third off a feed from Lily Gaskill. Cottam tacked on a second one with 9:48 to play to secure the win. Both Gaskill and Ava Costello played well in the midfield while Olivia Stevens had a strong game on defense for the Tigers.

Franklin, 8 @ Milford, 0 – Final – Franklin scored twice in each the first and second quarters and put it out of reach with three more in the third in a win on the road at Milford. Kaitlyn Carney scored four goals and had one assist to pace the offense, getting assists from Sophia Cuneo, Ella Aldred, and Ella Mahoney while Kendall Jones scored twice in the win (one assisted by Haley Wernig). Sydney Rogan tacked on a pair of second quarter goals for the Panthers.

Mansfield, 2 @ Taunton, 2 – Final – Taunton built a two-goal lead in the second half but Mansfield struck for a pair of second half goals, including the gaming one with less than a minute to go to grab a point on the road. Jillian Edmond (from Kaysie DeMoura) broke the deadlock with a goal with just over four minutes to play in the third. DeMoura recorded her second assist by finding Caelen O’Leary early in the fourth quarter. Mansfield scored with 20 seconds left to tie the game. Em Gannon had a big game in net with 16 saves while Jasmine Lucier and Kylie Thorpe both played well.

Stoughton @ North Attleboro, 5:15




Volleyball
Attleboro, 0 @ King Philip, 3 – Final – King Philip’s offense was hitting on all cylinders as the Warriors rolled to a 3-0 sweep (25-7, 25-17, 25-9) win at home over the visiting Bombardiers of Attleboro. Middles Sami Shore (11 kills, three blocks) and Emily Sawyer (10 kills) both had strong showings while Ahunna James (seven kills, five digs) played a strong all-around game. Samantha Asprelli added 12 digs and Stella Bailey recorded 18 service points and 26 assists.

Foxboro, 0 @ Oliver Ames, 3 – Final – Oliver Ames took care of business on Friday evening, knocking off division foe Foxboro in straight sets (25-7, 25-13, 25-18). Junior Courtney Raymond played well in the win with eight kills and two blocks, senior Shannon Willard added 14 assists, senior Hadley Rhodes dished out 12 assists and added four kills, and sophomore Sarah Hilliard recorded 10 kills and five aces.

Canton, 3 @ Sharon, 1 – Final – Canton bounced back from a one-set deficit to take three straight on the road for a 3-1 victory (18-25, 25-20, 25-19, 25-15). Sydney Gallery had one of the best performances of her career with 13 kills, seven digs, and three aces to lead the way. Anna Verille anchored the defense for the visitors with 25 digs and added an ace and a kill while Talya DeGraw turned in a strong all-around performance with nine kills, 14 digs, and an ace.

Franklin, 3 @ Milford, 1 – Final – Milford fought hard to avoid the sweep with a win in the third set but Franklin proved to be too much as the Panthers secured a 3-1 (25-16, 25-22, 20-25, 25-16) win over the Hawks. Junior Meghan Linkkila anchored the defense with 15 digs and had a strong showing at the service line with seven aces while sophomore Taylor Lacerda was nearly unstoppable at the net with 19 kills to go along with 11 digs and a pair of aces.

Mansfield, 3 @ Taunton, 1 – Final – After dropping the first set, Mansfield rallied to take three straight, including a vital third set, to knock off Taunton, 3-1 (22-25, 25-20, 26-24, 25-12). Christina Lydon dished out 17 assists in the win with Nicole Santos (six kills), Elyssa Buchanan (six kills), and Julia Kelly (five kills) pacing the offense.

Stoughton @ North Attleboro, 5:15

Golf
North Attleboro, 201 @ Attleboro, 197 – Final (5 cards) – Attleboro grabbed its sixth win of the season and got back to .500 with its second close win over rival North Attleboro this year. Carter Shelton and Leo Lombardo led the way after both shooting a 37, Brendan Raymond added a 39, and Dane Holske, Parker Sackett, and Jackson Sweeney all came in at 42 for the Bombardiers. Tyson Laviano led the visitors with a medalist round of 36 while Jake Gaskin added a 38.

Mansfield, 161 @ Sharon, 170 – Final – Mansfield finished the week a perfect 4-0, capping it off with a win over Sharon at the Norton Country Club. After a solid showing in his varsity debut, junior Drew Urban had a hole-in-one on the seventh hole to highlight the win. Cian Goulet had a team-low round of 39, Brendan Vokey and Hunter Tang each shot a 40, and Ryan Doherty and Urban both came in with a 42.

2021 Hockomock League Volleyball Preview

2021 Hockomock Volleyball Preview
Junior Ahunna James, pictured against OA in the Fall 2 season, will try and help KP repeat as division champs. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

By HockomockSports.com Staff

2021 Hockomock Volleyball Preview

2021 Hockomock Volleyball Preview

Attleboro

2020 (Fall II) Record: 1-11
Coach: Mary Katherine Runey
There is a lot of excitement surrounding the program as the Bombardiers are set to take the court for their second season, but first full season, under head coach Mary Katherine Runey.

The Bombardiers boast a large senior class featuring a lot of returning players along with a handful of juniors and even some freshmen ready to make an immediate impact on the court this Fall. It all starts with senior captains Lilly Boedeker, Marissa Conroy, and Summer Pereira, who will provide key leadership both on and off the court. Boedeker is the anchor of the defense as the libero while Pereira is making the switch to the right side to provide key blocking plus another offensive option.

Options will be vital for sophomore setter Natalie Brojek, who is back for her second season on the team as the setter. Seniors Delia Barthel, Holly Berg, Kate Petrosso, and Gabby Bolduc are all returning players and are joined in the roster by classmates Corina Lugo, Celina Lugo, Ellie Amaral, and juniors Brianna Frissora and Tigin Bombardier. Petrosso and Frissora will take care of business at the net as middle hitters while freshman Julia Leonardo could see time right away as an outside hitter.

“As a program, we are certainly looking to continue to build and grow,” Runey said. “Last year, we had to learn to play together and figure out which pieces of the puzzle work together. This year, we continue to work hard to minimize errors, control the pace of the game, and learn how to win. I believe that hard work will pay off this season.”

2021 Hockomock Volleyball Preview

Canton

2020 (Fall II) Record: 10-2
Coach: Pat Cawley
Canton made it 13 league titles in the past 14 seasons when it edged Sharon to the Davenport title a year ago. This season, the Bulldogs will have a lot of new faces, as only five players return from 2020’s abbreviated campaign, but there still remains a lot of enthusiasm for a new season and the potential to rebuild for yet another title challenge.

Senior Sydney Gallery returns as the team’s middle hitter after a solid season contributing off the bench. Gallery has improved and seen her playing time increase each season and will now be one of Canton’s primary weapons. Seniors Anna Verille and Tayla DeGraw will add to the attack on the outside. Both saw significant minutes as juniors and can also provide points from the service line. Sophomore Jess Wright is a newcomer that could make an instant impact on the outside as well. Senior setter Taylor Reynolds is back to run the Bulldogs offense and put the hitters in the right spots. She is also a strong presence on the back row defensively. Seniors Amaiah Christian, Katie Dever, Ella Lewis, Kelly McDonald, and Jess Vo will all see the floor and add depth to the Canton roster.

“What we lack in experience, we make up in work ethic and desire,” said Canton coach Pat Cawley. “This year’s team is motivated and anxious to keep the strong Canton volleyball tradition going! Led by a great group of seniors, the entire team has the same goal – to play at the highest level possible and to be the best they can be!”







Foxboro

2020 (Fall II) Record: 3-9
Coach: Vicki Santana
This will be a season of transition for the Warriors, who return only five players from last year’s team. Despite graduating 10 seniors and only featuring two seniors on this year’s roster, Foxboro is excited about the potential of its younger players and looking to grow as a team over the course of the new season.

Juniors Sami Sloan and Mallorie Meyer will both step into bigger roles after gaining some varsity experience as sophomores last year. They are part of a big junior class (eight players) that will be counted on to carry the Warriors this fall. Both Sloan and Meyer have been working not only on their hitting but also the defensive part of the game to be able to help in the back as well as the front row. Junior Alyssa Cloherty will be the setter and classmate Shannon McElhinney will take over as the libero and both have shown capable of making smart decisions with the ball on the back row.

“I am seeing a lot of talent and can’t wait to see how the team performs,” said Foxboro coach Vicki Santana. “Our focus is to build team chemistry for the team to be successful. As long as the players are ready to put in the work this fall, I am anticipating a successful year.”

2021 Hockomock Volleyball Preview

Franklin

2020 (Fall II) Record: 12-1
Coach: Samantha Elliott
Franklin has won at least a share of the past three Kelley-Rex titles and last year also claimed the first-ever Hock Cup. Even while graduating important players, like leading hitter Ally Bonnet-Eymard, the Panthers continue to build squads that look ready to compete for the title every season.

The strength for the Panthers is at setter. Senior Cailyn Mackintosh is a three-year starter and one of the best passers in the league. Her ability to spread the ball around and hit spots opens up the floor for the offense and makes Franklin hard to match up against. Sophomore Taylor Lacerda will be one of Mackintosh’s top targets this year following a strong freshman season on the outside. Senior Lindsey Tarantola will be the main threat in the middle and senior Brigid Earley will be back at opposite. Defensively, the Panthers will count on senior Meghan Linkkila, who will be moving from defensive specialist to libero this season, to control the back row.

“I have high expectations for these players but more importantly they have high expectations for themselves,” said second-year Franklin coach Samantha Elliott. “This team is striving to continue proving themselves and working hard to be the best they can be, and hopefully, that is another Hockomock title.

King Philip

2020 (Fall II) Record: 11-2
Coach: Kristen Geuss
When you look at the class that graduated from last season, the Warriors certainly lost a lot of talent from a team that won a share of the Kelley-Rex division title. But this is a program that doesn’t have many rebuilding seasons, they simply reload.

The Warriors have several returning players that will play a significant role this season. Senior captain Stella Bailey will take over as the primary setter, and she’s a confident player that can run the offense very well (136 assists last season). Bailey will have two very good options to work with in senior captain Liv Carey and junior captain Ahunna James. Not only is James one of the most lethal hitters in the league (124 kills last season), she’s a very good defender (104 digs) and server (94.6 serve percentage) as well.

King Philip will lean heavily on a pair of seniors to lead the way defensively in the back row with Samantha Asprelli taking over as libero and classmates Sofia Reidel and Gianna DeLorenzo as defensive specialist options. The graduation of the team’s top hitter and blocker Nicole Coughlan leaves a big void at the net but junior Sami Shore gained some key experience last year as she prepares to give the Warriors a boost at the net. Junior Emily Sawyer is a new addition that has been promising in the preseason as a middle while senior Molly O’Brien has played well on the right side. Juniors Kiera Hagen, Missy Canning, and Olivia O’Neil as well as sophomores Kate O’Neil and Shea Mellman are all battling for time on the court.

“I am very pleased with how prepared the players have come back from last season, they have been working very hard at practice,” Geuss said. “I think we will be strong on both offense and defense. The players are ready to go and are looking forward to a more normal season!”




2021 Hockomock Volleyball Preview

Mansfield

2020 (Fall II) Record: 6-6
Coach: Tara DeGirolamo
For the second season in a row, Mansfield will have a new coach. The Hornets are turning to JV coach Tara DeGirolamo this fall and hoping that a mix of experienced returning players and some new faces can help them pose a challenge to defending league champs Franklin and King Philip.

Mansfield will run its offense through senior hitter Julia Kelly. A three-year-starter, Kelly is a versatile layer who rarely takes a rotation off and gives the Hornets a lift on both attack and defense. The middle should be a big threat as well with senior Nicole Santos and junior Alexandra Scibilia giving the Hornets good net presence. Senior Christina Lydon and junior Isabella Flint will be back at the setter position and senior Nora Buckley adds to the attack on the right side. Sophomores Elyssa Buchanan and Anna Goulet and junior Lily Verheggen will be new hitters to add depth for the Hornets. Defensively, senior Lauren Knight will lead the back row with senior Calysta Robyn and junior Jackie Zelic able to step in and provide defensive cover as well.

“The Hornet volleyball team has a great group of veteran and new players rounding out the roster this season,” said DeGirolamo.

Milford

2020 (Fall II) Record: 4-8
Coach: Tammy Webber
Volleyball is back in the fall and the Scarlet Hawks are hoping to make it back to the postseason with a strong core of players on the roster.

Despite only four seniors on the roster, head coach Tammy Webber has a lot of experience on the squad after a lot of the players experienced the varsity level for the first time during the Spring. One player who has been around for a long time is senior outside hitter Sarah Brogioli, an All-Hockomock selection from last season. Not only is she one of the top hitters in the league, but she is also a top defensive option for the Hawks. A big advantage for Brogioli and the rest of the Hawk hitters is having junior Emily Croteau back at setter. Croteau emerged as the team’s top setter during the Fall 2 season so she knows the pace of the varsity level and has some options to distribute too.

Beyond Brogioli, Croteau will have two experience middles to work with. Senior Lexi Starks is a good two-way player, providing the Hawks with some good swings on offense and key blocks defensively. She can also rotate all the way through the lineup, playing defensively in the back row. Junior middle Aliza Syed had a really strong sophomore season and can be really hard to stop when she gets into a groove; she’s also a strong server for the Hawks. Carley Haley, Jess Douglas, and Molly Hartman will anchor the back row for Milford.

“With the players we have returning, we are hoping to challenge the top teams in the league,” Webber said.

2021 Hockomock Volleyball Preview

North Attleboro

2020 (Fall II) Record: 2-9-1
Coach: Courtney Lambrese
It has been four seasons since North Attleboro ended Canton’s reign atop the Davenport division. Last year, the Rocketeers were rebuilding after graduating a big senior class and there were some growing pains but first-year coach Courtney Lambrese has eight seniors returning and will hope that experience can carry North to a much better 2021.

North will look to be aggressive on offense, utilizing the strength of senior outside hitters Amira Boory and Sara Carter. Senior Madelyn Corsetti will give the Rocketeers another look in the middle, adding some balance to the attack. All three move well at the net and should also be effective in the block. Senior Katherine McHoul will be the setter and is joined in the back row by senior defensive specialists Ava Dunlevy and Julianne Chen. It is a defensive unit that Lambrese praised for its ability to read the hitter and be aggressive getting to the ball.

“This will be my fourth season with the program, I am looking forward to taking on a new role as the varsity coach with the group of athletes we have,” said Lambrese. “Overall, I’m excited for the talent and drive this team expresses and to see their successes this season.”




2021 Hockomock Volleyball Preview

Oliver Ames

2020 (Fall II) Record: 8-4
Coach: Chelsea Cunningham
Head coach Chelsea Cunningham always has high expectations for her Tigers, and this year is no different. OA boasts some key returners on the court while Cunningham is excited to integrate some new faces into the lineup after the void left by graduation.

Anytime you can bring back your starting setter, you’re already at an advantage and the Tigers have one of the better ones in the Hock in senior captain Hadley Rhodes. She learned a lot last year and can spread the ball out to the weapons the Tigers have. Rhodes can also get involved in the attack as a solid option at opposite hitter. Another key piece to the puzzle will be junior Maddie Homer, who is a three-year starter and the team’s libero. Homer’s veteran presence will help solidify the back row for OA.

Senior captain Shannon Willard will be in the mix as a setter as well while junior Courtney Raymond is poised for a breakout season as a middle hitter after gaining valuable experience during the Fall 2 season. Sophomore Sarah Hilliard learned what the varsity level is all about and is back as one of the main hitting options for OA.

“Returning to more ‘normal’ practice in athletics is exciting enough as it is and being able to continue working with such wonderful student-athletes makes it even better,” Cunningham said. “This group is full of new faces and they all bring something unique to the team. This season, some of our main goals include playing “our” game, always being ready to compete, and making every moment count. I am privileged to coach another season for such an amazing, supportive, and competitive program and cannot wait to see what’s in store for us!”

Sharon

2020 (Fall II) Record: 9-3
Coach: Bill Schustek
Sharon is coming off one of the best seasons in program history. The Eagles won nine times last season, picked up a very rare win against perennial power Canton, and finished just a game behind the Bulldogs, narrowly missing out on the program’s first league title. Graduation will have taken its toll, with Sharon losing its top hitters from last year, but first-year coach Bill Schustek will be hoping the momentum can carry over into 2021.

Although the Eagles lost the top four players from last season, they do return eight players with varsity experience. On the front row, seniors Simone Dunbar and Erin Schustek will be the primary weapons. Dunbar will be a threat in the middle, along with classmate Savannah Gray, and Schustek will be on the outside with help from junior Tess Letendre. Senior Trinity Payne is another strong player at the net, either in the middle or on the right side. Emily Rubenstein is in her third year as the starting libero and is the leader of the back row.

“Without a dominant hitter, we will need to be a defensive and ball control focused team to have success this year,” said Schustek. “Our goal for the season is to qualify for the state tournament.”

Stoughton

2020 (Fall II) Record: 3-8-1
Coach: Felicia Baptista
With key players back in key positions, Stoughton is looking to bounce back after a down year during the abbreviated Fall II season. Kiara Scardina, Patrik Oliveira, and Vanessa Philemond give the Black Knights a solid core of veterans to build around for the 2021 season.

The Davenport is wide open this season with most teams graduating the majority of their lineup from a season ago. That means every team is in the mix and whoever is playing best down the stretch might be the one to take it. Scardina, a junior captain, got a lot of experience as a sophomore last year and will anchor the back row. Oliveira took over as setter last year and now has a good amount of playing time under his belt and will be ready to set the Stoughton offense in motion. Philemond will be one of the go-to options for Oliveira from her middle hitter spot, and she will also help set the tone defensively with her blocking.

Head coach Felicia Baptista, in her second overall season but first full Fall season, will be looking for some of the younger players to step up this year, including sophomore outside hitter Annalia Eschleman, sophomore outside hitter Maya Ashu, and freshman Angelina Barry, who will see some time as a defensive specialist.

“The fall 2021 season is one we are ready for,” Baptista said. “We are so happy that this season could go back to normal and start the fall season on time. Our program has worked hard all summer to make sure they were ready for August preseason this year. We have a large team this year and each one of them brings something different to the team which makes us that much stronger.”

2021 Hockomock Volleyball Preview Photo

Taunton

2020 (Fall II) Record: 3-9
Coach: Toby Chaperon
Taunton won two of its first three matches in Fall II but only won once for the remainder of the season, as the Tigers went through the teeth of a loaded Kelley-Rex division. Taunton will have nine seniors on this year’s roster, many of which saw significant playing time last year, so there is hope that the Tigers can build on the experience of 2020 and be more consistent this fall.

The middle should be a strength for Taunton this season. Senior Mikayla Cleary and junior Hayley Krockta give the Tigers good size and athleticism both while attacking and defending. Senior Angie Lynch is a supreme athlete and has shown flashes of being a major weapon on the outside as she learns the nuances of the game and that position. Senior Dani Lofgren will be the libero. A good passer, Lofgren is another player that is growing into her role. Senior Jess Foley will help out defensively on the back row. Junior Anna Abouzeid is the new setter for the Tigers. Taunton coach Toby Chaperon said Abouzeid is athletic and has a good volleyball IQ and they are working on refining her play in the setter position.

Franklin Beats KP to Take Home First Hock Cup Title

Franklin volleyball
The Franklin volleyball team poses for a picture after beating King Philip in the Hockomock Cup Final. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)
Josh PerryFollowJoshPerry


FRANKLIN, Mass. – After splitting two regular season matchups and sharing the Kelley-Rex division title for the second year in a row, it was fitting that the final game of the volleyball season would see Franklin and King Philip battle it out, not just for the bragging rights, or to win the season series, but also to being home the first Hockomock Cup title.

After jumping in front by winning the opening two sets, Franklin was nearly forced to a decisive fifth set but the Panthers rallied in the fourth, winning six of the final seven points, capped off by a cross-court spike by senior Ally Bonnet-Eymard that snuck inside the line, to seal a 3-1 (25-15, 25-21, 21-25, 25-21) victory.

“The girls never took a single day for granted,” said Franklin coach Samantha Elliott. “They have been 100 percent committed to play, so for them this wasn’t just the first Hock Cup, this was their championship and they’ve been working that way all season.”

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

KP coach Kristen Geuss was proud of her team’s fight back after a rough opening set and the way the Warriors fought throughout a final that everyone was grateful to see happen.

“I think we played very well,” she said. “To have the opportunity to even play an extra week in this whole thing, it gave us more games and let the girls come out and have fun for another week. We had a great season and they’re a great bunch of girls.”

Franklin took control of the opening set right from the first point. In a reverse of Wednesday’s semifinal against Canton, KP struggled out of the gate and the Panthers put together a 9-0 run to break things open and take a 19-6 lead.

Emma Chase (10 kills) had a block and then a kill on back-to-back points, Bonnet-Eymard (game-high 22 kills) fired a shot past the dive of KP libero Emma Brooks, Taylor Lacerda (seven kills) fired an ace, and then Bonnet-Eymard ended the run with a hit right on the line.

KP tried to build some momentum heading to the second. Giovanna Fruci and Sami Shore each had kills before Bonnet-Eymard picked the corner with an accurate swing. Nicole Coughlan and Ahunna James both got on the board as well with good hits, but the final swing hit the net and Franklin took the quick 1-0 lead.

“I had the confidence that we could come back,” said Geuss. “We have in the past. I thought we could dig deep and we did. The second and third games were much better obviously than the first and I thought they played really well.”

The Warriors did seem to carry some energy over into the second set and a Lily Carlow ace and a block and a kill by James put the visitors up 11-5. Brooks had a point from the back row and James added another of her five kills in the set to keep the lead at five points, but Franklin’s depth along the front line started to pay dividends.

Grace Lacerda, Chase, and Taylor Lacerda recorded three straight points and an angled Chase drive got Franklin back level. After the Panthers took the lead, Coughlan had two straight kills, including one at the end of a long rally that put KP back in front 19-18. Bonnet-Eymard answered with a pinpoint tip and a blast off the blocker.

“That’s the best thing about us, it’s not just Ally,” Elliott said. “Ally is a force to be reckoned with but it’s always every other girl on my team. (Setter) Cailyn [Mackintosh] has the ability to give it to anyone because people watch Ally so if you can give it to someone else it’s going to work out in your favor.”

“She has worked so hard to be as accurate and consistent and connect with every single one of our hitters that we wouldn’t be where we are without her drive and her leadership,” Elliott said about Mackintosh, who finished with 49 assists.

With Franklin up 23-21, Bonnet-Eymard again found space down the line off the dive of Carlow and a shot into the net had the Panthers just a set away from the win.

The last time these teams met, it went to five sets before KP pulled out the win. So, Franklin knew there was still work to be done. The Panthers jumped out to a 14-11 lead in the fourth following a Mackintosh push that eluded the KP defense.

KP responded with four straight points to get in front. With the score tied again at 17-17, KP managed to string together a few points. Fruci started it with a spike and then Coughlan was able to follow with back-to-back points. The senior, who managed to score from both outside positions as well as the middle, had eight kills in the third set alone.

“Nicole makes everything look easy, and it’s not,” Geuss said about Coughlan. “I don’t know how she does it but she makes everything look easy. She will be missed.”

After Bonnet-Eymard got one back for Franklin, Coughlan added two more kills. With the score 24-21, James, just a sophomore, showed off her skills on the outside with a powerful angled drive that secured a fourth set.

The fourth was back-and-forth with neither team able to build larger than a four-point lead. Coughlan and James continued to find any gap in the Franklin defense and the KP back row continued to keep almost every play alive, forcing the Panthers into long rallies.

KP looked like it might be on its way to a decisive fifth set when it rattled off five straight points and took a 12-8 lead. Bonnet-Eymard had the answer with back-to-back kills, the second smashed off the KP block and out. A kill from Lindsey Tarantola tied things up and then an ace by Meghan Linkkila put Franklin in front 13-12.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

Shore got KP back within one at 17-16 but Chase came right back with a hit from the middle. James had a pair of kills, including one right off the line to put the Warriors up 19-18, then Carlow’s tough serve got away from the Panthers. Chase and Bonnet-Eymard came right back with kills and tied the set at 20-20.

After a Franklin point, James blasted another kill that tied the game at 21-21, but King Philip (11-2) had an uncharacteristic defensive lapse to put Franklin in front to stay. Brigid Earley followed with a big block, a shot went wide, and then Bonnet-Eymard lined up one last swing, angled across the court into an open spot, handing Franklin (12-1) the win and the cup.

“We knew that the first set was not normal, that we were going to have to work hard for every single point because KP is a fantastic team,” Elliott explained. “Just telling the girls to believe in themselves and to forget what this is and to have fun for their last game to play with each other that they’d be okay, and they were.”

Thursday’s Schedule & Scoreboard – 04/08/21

Today’s games are listed below.

Volleyball
Attleboro, 0 @ Franklin, 3 – Final – Franklin shined from the service line and went on to sweep the visiting Bombardiers, 3-0 (25-11, 25-11, 25-8). The Panthers recorded 23 aces as a team with junior Cailyn Mackintosh leading the way with eight aces. Meghan Linkkila and Taylor Lacerda each added six aces and Ally Bonnet-Eymard added three aces to go along with nine kills. Lindsey Tarantola (four kills) and Emma Chase (three kills) both played well at the net for the hosts.

North Attleboro, 0 @ Sharon, 3 – Final

King Philip, 3 @ Taunton, 0 – Final – King Philip kept its division title hopes alive with a 3-0 (25-16, 25-8, 25-10) win on the road at Taunton. The Warriors had a strong day serving as Lauren Peterson notched 16 service points and three aces and Nicole Coughlan added four aces and 15 service points, along with 13 kills. Ahunna James also played well at the net for KP with 11 kills while Emma Brooks added 11 digs, three aces, and two kills.

Boys Winter Track
Stoughton, 55 @ Canton, 45 – Final – For Canton, Jonathan Chery was a double-winner and also had a second place finish in a close loss to Stoughton. Chery won both the 100M (11.0) and the 200M (22.4) while taking second in the high jump (5’4″). Jack Hernon was the winner for the 1 Mile race (5:08.4) and crossed second in the 800M (2:13.5).

Girls Winter Track
Stoughton 38, Canton 62 – Final – Canton’s Maddie Rousseau and Kiara Cerruti were both double-winners for the Bulldogs in a win over visiting Stoughton. Rousseau crossed first in the 200M (26.3), won the long jump (15’8.25″), and took second in the high jump (4’8″) while Cerruti won both the 1 Mile (5:54) and the 800M (2:40.3). Kiley Hanlon won the 100M (12.8), took second in the 200M (26.3) and was third in the high jump, Leah Murphy also had a first place (high jump, 4’8″) and second place (100M hurdles, 17.9), and Corrine Campbell had a pair of second place finishes.

Volleyball: Fall 2 Hockomock League Preview

Canton volleyball 2020 (Fall 2) Hockomock Volleyball Preview
Canton players celebrate the final point that earned the Bulldogs a 3-1 win over Westboro and the D2 Central title in 2019. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

By HockomockSports.com Staff

2020 (Fall 2) Hockomock Volleyball Preview

Attleboro

2019 Record: 1-17
2019 Finish: Missed playoffs
Coach: Mary Katherine Runey

There is a new level of excitement in the gymnasium at Attleboro High as Mary Katherine Runey takes over as the varsity coach for the Bombardiers.

Attleboro has a mix of returners with experience and new faces to the varsity level, and Runey believes her squad has a tremendous amount of potential. It all starts with senior Ana Leonardo, a four-year starter at the setter position for the Bombardiers. Attleboro has plenty of depth at the setter position with freshman Natalie Brojek joining the mix right away. Leonardo and Brojek will have some experienced hitters to work with including senior opposite Krista Greening, senior middle Kosi Igbobi, and junior outside Delia Barthel. Junior captain Lilly Boedeker brings a lot of energy and experience to the defensive end as the libero, anchoring the Bombardiers’ back row.

“Our program is very excited to be back on the court,” Runey said. “We have a great mix of returning players as well as athletes new to the varsity level. I believe our team has a tremendous amount of potential, and I cannot wait to see what we accomplish this year. Ana and Natalie will certainly bring an intensity to our offense and Lilly matches that defensively.”

Canton

2019 Record: 22-3 (Davenport Division Champions)
2019 Finish: Division 2 State Champions
Coach: Pat Cawley

The 2019 season was a banner year for the Bulldogs, claiming the Davenport division, the D2 Central sectional crown, and the program’s first ever D2 State Championship.

The returners have been eager to defend their championships, and after waiting just a little bit longer, the Bulldogs have their chance to at least battle for another Hock title. There’s an obvious void in the lineup with the graduation of HockomockSports.com Player of the Year Taylor Harris, one of the most feared hitters in the entire state. But longtime head coach Pat Cawley has an arsenal of weapons at her disposal that makes Canton the team to beat again this year. Senior middle Liz Bickett gets it done both offensively and defensively at the net and is a reliable option in the back row. Senior outside hitter Angie Elias is a reliable option at the net as well as senior middle Shannon Malloy. Senior Jackie Morrissey stepped into the setter role last year and really improved as the season went on while classmate Olivia Chinsen, a captain, is another option at setter after returning from injury. Seniors Nikki Desjardins (libero) and Stephanie Trendell will anchor the Bulldogs’ defense in the back row.

“We are excited and grateful to be back on the court,” Cawley said. “Although we have big shoes to fill at the outside hitter positions, we return several experienced players at middle blocker, setter, and defense. Senior captain Olivia Chinsen and junior Sydney Gallery are back from season-ending injuries and will help make us a stronger team. We are concentrating on building better chemistry and communication, always striving to be the best we can be!”

Foxboro

2019 Record: 11-10
2019 Finish: Reached D2 Central First Round
Coach: Vicki Santana

In head coach Vicki Santana’s first year in charge, the Warriors won 11 games and reached the postseason and Foxboro will hope to build on that momentum this season with 10 seniors on the roster.

Defensively, the Warriors should be tough. Kelsey Treweek returns at libero along with defensive specialists Pam Nelson and Grace Fortune. Nelson and Treweek were among the league leaders in digs in the 2019 season. Leading hitter Grace Boudreau graduated, but Santana is counting on several players to provide points with versatile hitters Emma Keefe and Shannon McDonald in the starting lineup. Underclassmen Sami Sloan and Mallorie Meyer will add depth at the net and have the potential to provide an instant impact

“Tryouts and practice were a little bit of a challenge to make sure we are following the Covid guidelines while still having fun and being competitive,” Santana said. “The girls have been so great and are staying positive through all of this. They are taking all of the guidelines seriously because they are so happy to be back in the gym!”

Franklin

2019 Record: 15-4 (Kelley-Rex Division Champions)
2019 Finish: Reached D1 Central/West Quarterfinals
Coach: Sam Elliott

Franklin is coming off back-to-back Kelley-Rex division titles and is in search of their third straight this season, but will be doing so under new guidance. Sam Elliott takes over as head coach of the Panthers after Kelsey Weymouth moved on to the collegiate level after two successful years at the helm.

Elliott is familiar with the program after serving as an assistant last season and she knows she has the pieces to make a push to hang another division title banner in this abbreviated season. Senior captain Ally Bonnet-Eymard enters her fourth year with the team and is among the most dangerous hitters in the league (205 kills) from the left side. She’ll be flanked by senior Emma Chase, who is back for her second straight year starting at middle and gives Franklin a weapon both offensively and defensively. Junior Cailyn Mackintosh really impressed in her first season last year and will be the starting setter while Jill Benoit returns as the starting libero. Elliott is also looking for some younger faces to push for time including sophomore Meghan Linkkila and freshmen Taylor Lacerda and Grace Lacerda.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to play this year, with six seniors it is important that they were able to have their final season,” Elliott said. “As a program we are excited to compete and improve, our group is a mix of returners and new players so it will be fun watching them all come together.”




King Philip

2019 Record: 18-5 (Kelley-Rex Division Champions)
2019 Finish: Reached D1 Central/East Finals
Coach: Kristen Geuss

There will be a lot of familiar faces on the court this season for King Philip, who is looking to ride a strong senior class and an experienced group of players to a second straight Kelley-Rex crown.

Head coach Kristen Guess has weapons all over the court, starting with her three senior captains. Middle Nicole Coughlan has been a force at the net for the past two years and will be one of the toughest players to stop this year. Fellow captains Emma Brooks and Lily Carlow, who both have a lot of experience at the varsity level will anchor the Warriors’ defense from the back row. Senior Giovanna Fruci will be one of KP’s top options at the net as well as sophomore Ahunna James, who had some impressive swings in limited action last year. Guess is looking for seniors Paige Kannally and Camryn Buckley to step up and help with blocking at the net while senior Lauren Peterson will set the entire team in motion from the setter position. Junior Stella Bailey and sophomore Sami Shore have played well in preseason and should be in the mix as well.

“This the most experienced team I have coached, we have depth on the team with strong newcomers,” Guess said.
We are excited to have a season and are ready to play.”

Mansfield

2019 Record: 8-11
2019 Finish: Missed playoffs
Coach: Mark Ledwich

Longtime head coach Melissa Heeden stepped down over the offseason so the Hornets enter this season under the guidance of their new head coach Mark Ledwich. Ledwich is familiar with volleyball in the area as the director of the sport at Mass Premier Courts and brings experience from the collegiate level to the job.

Ledwich has an experienced group to work with during his first year with six players back from last year’s team, most of which saw either starting or at least valuable minutes at the varsity level. The Hornets will have a variety of weapons on the offensive end with its top four attackers back from last year. Junior Julia Kelly (124 kills) led the squad in kills as a sophomore and will be one of the most dangerous hitters in the league this year while Alina Nowakowski, Olivia McGrath, and Kacey Veiking all provide legitimate threats at the net. All four will start the Hornet defense will their blocking with Veiking (35 blocks) among the top returners in that category.

“Our focus this season is on error management and when to stretch a point,” Ledwich said. “We have a lot of heavy hands this year, so knowing when to utilize them in each situation has been a huge focus of the pre-season. With the consistent height we have available in the front row this season we are spending a lot of time discussing approach paths of opposing attackers and how we should funnel each attack to best utilize our attacking strengths.”

Milford

2019 Record: 10-10
2019 Finish: Reached D2 Central First Round
Coach: Tammy Webber

The Hawks have reached the postseason in each of the past two seasons, and while there isn’t a state tournament this year, Milford is aiming to attain the success that comes with a playoff berth.

Making the switch to the Kelley-Rex will be challenging, but one the Hawks are ready for. With a strong mix of returning players with varsity experience and some new players looking to make a splash, Milford could surprise some teams along the way. Elise Fauerbach returns for her senior season after missing significant time last year due to an injury. Fauerbach will patrol the right side, giving the Hawks a good option defensively with her size, and has a high volleyball IQ. Milford has two key defensive players back with senior Eva Parson (106 digs), who took on the role of libero last season but is in the mix to step into the full rotation, even getting swings as an outside hitter. Junior Sarah Brogioli can play just about anywhere on the court, a reliable option in the back row (106 digs) while also capable of stepping up to the net and connecting on some big swings (96 kills). Lexi Stark is an athletic option at middle that can move side-to-side to help with blocking in all three spots at the net. Sophomore Emily Crouteau is penciled into the setter role to start the year while Aliza Syed will be an option at the net for the Hawks.

North Attleboro

2019 Record: 13-6
2019 Finish: Reached D1 South First Round
Coach: Kim Marshall

North Attleboro has been one of the biggest challengers to Canton’s reign atop the Davenport division in recent years, and the Rocketeers are going to be right back in the mix again during this Fall 2 season.

Head coach Kim Marshall has four returning seniors that all have valuable experience at the varsity level and then a strong junior class with consists of eight players ready to make a splash at the varsity level. Senior Joanna Collins-Bilyeu is one of the most experienced players in the league and will be a cornerstone at the net for the Rocketeers after putting down 67 kills a year ago. She will be joined by classmates Annie Grunewald and Jasmine Anderson along the net to give North a formidable attacking trio. Belle Clarkin will anchor the back row that features some new faces so the Rocketeers will be learning as the season goes on. Junior Katherine McHoul is stepping in to take over at the setter position to run the offense.

“I am really excited for this season to start, I just wish it wasn’t so short,” said Marshall. “I am very fortunate, again, to get a wonderful group of student-athletes who continually work so hard, support each other and are so much fun to be around.”




Oliver Ames

2019 Record: 18-5
2019 Finish: Reached D1 South Final
Coach: Chelsea Cunningham

Oliver Ames made a run to the Div. 1 South final in 2019 and pushed perennial power Barnstable to a decisive fifth set and, after moving to the Davenport division this season, the Tigers have the potential to give defending state champ Canton a serious challenge for the league title.

Senior Caroline Flynn will be one of the team’s primary attackers on the outside and will get help from classmate Jordan Bennett, who is recovering from an injury but can play multiple positions along the front line. Senior Tori Harney is back after missing all of last season with an injury and will compete for a starting role as a middle hitter. Senior Sarah Morley will transition from defensive specialist to libero this year with senior Allie Zwerle providing leadership in the DS role. Junior Hadley Rhodes will step in as the setter this season, replacing the program’s all-time leader in assists, Allie Kemp, while sophomore Maddie Homer will add athleticism on the back row.

“This team has so much potential to build off of the best season this program has had to date- and we have work to do,” said OA coach Chelsea Cunningham. “With this season being so short, we are hoping to make every moment count in the gym. From bonding with everyone on the team, to mixing up the lineups, and everyone being ready to compete- it’s exciting to FINALLY play after the long wait.”

Sharon

2019 Record: 6-13
2019 Finish: Missed playoffs
Coach: Andrea Lovett

The foundation of the Sharon volleyball this season will be its senior class, a strong group of experienced players hungry to make some noise in the Davenport division this season.

The Eagles have four returning seniors in Brynne Aidlin-Perlman, Yvette Nau, Leah Fandel, and Sarah Fandel; all four can play in a variety of roles for Sharon. Aidlin-Perlman is a leader both on and off the court and provides the Eagles with solid defense plus a strong swing from the outside hitter position. Nau is back for another year as the team’s setter and will quarterback the offense, having all three of her classmates as good options at the net. Sara Fandel put a lot of work in during the offseason and has improved greatly at the net and provides the Eagles with a reliable defensive option in the back row while Leah Fandel is a two-way threat at the net from the middle position.

“We have four returning seniors that provide a very solid base for a talented team,” said Sharon head coach Andrea Lovett. “The team is rounded out with talented juniors who will be taking us into next year. Sharon expects to be a threat in our “Hock Bubble” this season.”

Stoughton

2019 Record: 2-14
2019 Finish: Missed playoffs
Coach: Felicia Baptista

The Black Knights are looking to bounce back in a big way during the Fall 2 season. Felicia Baptista is moving up from subvarsity to take over the varsity squad.

Baptista will have a lot of new faces that are new to the varsity level so she plans to rely heavily on her two returners, especially in the early going. That means senior Shanice Landrum and senior Camille Firmin will be key leaders both on and off the court this year as Stoughton looks to battle for the Davenport division crown. Landrum led the team in kills last season with 86 and was one of the best blockers in the Hockomock League with 63. Firmin should see an expanded role at the net as the Knights look to integrate new faces into its lineup under Baptista.

“Even though it is a big building season for us, our team dynamic seems like we have been playing together for years,” Baptista said. “Every day I see big improvements with communication on the court and our defense is looking solid. This year is unique for us because we do have a few boys on our roster and, not only do they bring talent, but they add a light and fun atmosphere to the gym.”

Taunton

2019 Record: 3-17
2019 Finish: Missed playoffs
Coach: Toby Chaperon

With a large group of experienced players returning this season, the Tigers are eager to put last season behind them and make a splash this year.

Taunton has 10 seniors in total, with nine of them returning players from last season along with one returning junior, so experience will be a strength for this year’s squad. The Tigers will be looking to turn their experience at the varsity level into success on the court in the abbreviated Fall 2 season. Senior captain Jaelyn Fernandez will put the offense into motion from the setter spot and will have some weapons to work with along the net. The Tigers have all three of their top attackers back from a year ago, including senior captain and outside hitter Ella Dunderdale, who led the Tigers in kills last season with 89 kills. Senior Sonya Fernandez (83 kills) and junior Mikayla Cleary (63 kills) will also give the Tigers options from the middle and opposite spots. Seniors Makena Travers, Kailara Andrade, and Fabiana Pereira will anchor the back row for the Tigers. With experience in multiple spots, depth will be key for Taunton this year.

“We are just looking forward to the competition but as we know in the Kelley-Rex you have to be focused and be ready to bring it every night as every team is tough,” said Taunton head coach Toby Chaperon. “We are just hoping we can rise to the challenge each and every match and hope that our execution is sharp.”