Boys Lacrosse
Franklin, 23 @ Attleboro, 0 – Final – Franklin’s star offensive trio of Tyler Sacchetti, Jayden Consigli, and Luke Davis combined for 24 points to lead the Panthers to a big win in the season-opener. Consigli had a team-high nine points with seven goals and two assists, Davis added three goals and five assists, and Sacchetti finished with five goals and two helpers.
Milford, 1 @ Canton, 12 – Final
North Attleboro, 5 @ Foxboro, 7 – Final – Foxboro senior Conor Noone had a hand in all six of the Warriors’ seven goals and junior Adam Addeche had a terrific performance in net in a season-opening win over rival North Attleboro. Noone scored four goals and assisted on two more. Tony Sulham added a pair of goals, Jon Sacchetti scored once, and Ryan Cotter chipped in with an assist. Addeche recorded 15 saves in an outstanding performance in the cage. Luke Antonetti let North with three goals.
Taunton, 3 @ Oliver Ames, 19 – Final – Oliver Ames got off to a strong start and never looked back in a win over Taunton, who was playing in its first varsity game since the 2018 season. Jake Manthous set the tone for the host Tigers, winning 17-of-18 faceoffs and scored one goal. Ben Reardon, Alex McAndrew, Ryan Jaco, and Shaun Teehan all had multi-goal games while Owen Bourne scored his first career goal. Jason Zalis, Landon Grothe, Liam Dunlap, and Jack Corey all played well defensively for OA. Taunton freshman Brody Coute stepped in as goalie for Taunton due to an injury, and in just his second day of playing in net, made 14 saves. Senior Tommy Selfridge had a pair of goals for Taunton, senior Thomas Murphy added one goal, and both Connor McGrath and Israel Cruz had an assist.
Girls Lacrosse
Attleboro, 1 @ Franklin, 16 – Final – Franklin started league play with a big win, defending its home turf with a 16-1 win over Attleboro. Gabi Consigli scored her first two varsity goals for the Panthers while Jamie Tanner had a strong all-around performance with two goals, three assists, two draws, and three ground balls. Ella Mahoney made four saves in net in the win.
Canton, 13 @ Milford, 10 – Final – Canton built a comfortable lead by halftime and then held off a Milford comeback bid in the second half to secure a season-opening win over the Scarlet Hawks. Ella Yeaton paced the Bulldogs’ offense with a team-high six goals while Emily McCabe added four goals in the win. Ashley Balunas made seven saves in the win. Canton led 8-2 at halftime before Milford opened the second half with three straight, but that would be the closest the hosts would get. For Milford, Emily Croteau had four goals and one assist, Jordan Douglas added three goals and one helper, and Carly Haley, TJ Downing, and Alexa Landry each scored once.
Foxboro, 19 @ North Attleboro, 0 – Final – Foxboro played well on both ends of the field as they recorded their first league win of the season. Seven Warriors found the back of the net in the win, led by six goals from Paige Curran, four from Val Beigel (two assists), and three each from Cate Noone (five assists) and Mya Waryas (two assists). Audrey Campbell and Sofia Lucente each made a pair of saves to combine for the shutout. Macy Quinn, Ella Campbell, and Mary Collins (four assists) also scored once for Foxboro.
King Philip, 11 @ Brookline, 7 – Final – King Philip had a balanced offensive attack in both halves on its way to a win over Brookline on the road. The Warriors kept the hosts in check during the first half, taking a 5-3 lead by halftime. Abby MacDonald finished with a team-high four goals to pace KP, adding one assist. Nikki McDonald added a hat trick and Alyssa Legere chipped in with two goals and two assists for KP while Emily Campbell recorded 10 saves in the win.
Stoughton, 2 @ Mansfield, 20 – Final – Mansfield had nearly a dozen players fine the scoring sheet in a win over Stoughton, who was making its varsity debut in girls lacrosse. Ava Adams led the Honrets with six goals and two assists while Rose Maher had four goals and one helper. Cammy Shanteler, Keira Fitzpatrick, Maeve Anastasia, and Brooke Butler each added a pair of goals in the win. Amanda Reid and Morgan Groppi each scored once for the Black Knights.
Taunton, 7 @ Oliver Ames, 12 – Final – Oliver Ames opened up the season with a win at home, capping a double-header sweep with the boys team with a 12-7 decision. Junior captain Liv O’Rourke and junior Erin Cottam each scored three goals to pace the offense while junior Claire O’Rourke made nine saves in net. Taunton’s Mel Jesus had a strong game in net with 18 saves for the visitors while Cali Melo paced the offense with five goals and two assists. Maddison Szala added two assists and one goal, and Caroline Vallarelli had one goal and one helper.
Boys Outdoor Track
Attleboro @ Franklin, 3:45
Canton, 48 @ Foxboro, 88 – Final – The Bulldogs had a handful of athletes compete — and place — in multiple events in the loss to Foxboro. Ruairi Ritson won the high jump (5′), took second in the shot put (38’2.75″), and finished third in the 110M hurdles (20.4), Godson Ofanagoro won the 100M (12.0) and took third in the long jump (17’5.5″), Blair Resil grabbed second in both the 100M (12.2) and the long jump (19’6.75″), and Sam Vail finished third in the 400M (66.3), the javelin (106’5″), and the 2 Mile race (12:10).
King Philip @ Taunton, 3:45
Sharon, 54 @ Mansfield, 82 – Final – Mansfield won both relays, swept the javelin, and Ayden Agbasi was a double-winner as the Hornets opened the season with a win over Sharon. Agbasi won both the shot put (45’7″) and the discus (109’1) for key points for the Hornets. The 4×100 relay team of Myles Brown, Evan Thevenot, Sirius Li, and Nate Kablik clocked in at 44.7 for first place while the Hornets’ 4×400 team (Tommy Giudicianni, Troy Penney, Kyle Dickinson, Talon Johnson) finished first in 3:42.3. Eamon Doyle anchored the javelin sweep with a first place toss of 104’8″, Brown (23.1) and Jack Reed (23.7) went 1-2 in the 200M, and Penney (2:09.2) and Marco Geminiani (2:09.7) took the top two spots in the 800M. Johnson added a win in the 1 Mile race (4:41.2), Kablik was first in the 100M (11.1), and Evan Rawlings won the 400M hurdles (58.5).
Oliver Ames, 69 @ Stoughton, 67 – Final
Girls Outdoor Track
Attleboro @ Franklin, 3:45
Canton, 78 @ Foxboro, 58 – Final – Katie Oliver was a double-winner in the jumps and the Bulldogs swept both the 400M hurdles and the shot put to pick up a season-opening win over Foxboro. Oliver won both the long jump (16’6.5″) and the triple jump (33’2.5″), and Emma Massih anchored the shot put sweep (with Jess Brathwaite and Jocanda Cabral) while also winning the discus (82’4″). Syriah McCruse won the 100M (12.6) for Canton while finishing second in the 200M (26.7), and Luran Slotnick and Zoe Scibelli registered their first varsity points by finishing second and third, respectively, in the javelin. Annie Odivin won the 400M hurdles followed by teammates Kenzie Bennett and Julia Donovan.
King Philip @ Taunton, 3:45
Sharon, 31 @ Mansfield, 105 – Final – Mansfield swept the high jump, the shot put, the discus, and the 400M race, earning nine points in each event on its way to a win over Sharon. Elyssa Buchanan was a triple winner for the Hornets, taking first in the 100M hurdles (17.3), the high jump (4’10”), and joined Abigail Scott, Megan Driscoll, Danni Cuzzi to win the 4×100 relay in 51.8. Katie Garrahy was a double winner with wins in both the discus (80’5″) and the shot put (31’10”). Scott also won the 100M (13.3) and Driscoll took first in the 200M. Sharon’s Olivia Nau won both the 400M hurdles (73.1) and the long jump (15′).
Girls Basketball
Sharon, 39 vs. Leominster, 56 – Final
Boys Indoor Track
Oliver Ames, 44 @ Stoughton, 56 – Final – Stoughton swept the long jump and the 55M dash as well as taking both relays to pick up an impressive win over Oliver Ames, securing a second-place finish in the Davenport division. Matt Singletary’s leap of 20-04.00 took first (second best in the Hock) with Alex Huynh and Tito Nwosu rounding out the sweep for the Black Knights, while Zachary Feist (7.00) won the 55M dash followed by Matt-Andy Beauchamps and Tyler Noel. Singletary also won the high jump (6-02.00), Thomas Laz won the shot put with a throw of 40-10.50, and William Tinkham won both the 55M hurdles (7.99) and the 300M (38.18). Tinkham also anchored Stoughton’s 4×200 relay team along with Beauchamps, Feist, and Noel, setting a new school record in 1:34.12. Oliver Ames swept four events on the night: the 2 Mile (Brody Lake, Oscar Feodoroff, Jonah Sobieraj), the 1000M (Aidan Dupill, Ryan Sarney, Brendan Tomas), the 600M (Sarney, Dupill, Thomas), and the 1 Mile (Alexander Pierce, Ethan Mahoney, Landon Sarney).
Canton, 41 @ Foxboro, 55 – Final – Foxboro finished first in eight races, and took second in the other two as they earned a win over Canton. Daniel O’Malley earned 15 points with three first place finishes, winning the high jump (6-00.00), the 55M hurdles (8.56), and the 300M (37.39). Other first place finishes for the Warriors were Edosa Omeumu (long jump, 17-06.25), Joe Flanagan (league-best shot put throw of 47-03.50), Brooks Stone (1000M, 2:45.85), Stephen Haney (600M, 1:27.37), and Chris Proulx (1 Mile, 4:53.92). Trevor Palmer and Johnny Ahearn earned four points with a second-third finish in the 2 Mile, and Jaiden Jean and Ishmel Sillah did the same in the 55M dash for Foxboro. Canton’s Luke Darling won the 2 Mile (11:03.65) and Christian Hanlon took first in the 5MM dash (7.13). Canton won both relays with the 4×400 team (Dan Glemaud, Sam Vail, Austin DiBiasio, Mohith Arugollu) clocking in at 4:06.38, and the 4×200 team (Hanlon, Joshua Richards, Charlie Zack, Alex Kraslynkov) finishing in 1:40.33.
Mansfield, 74 @ Sharon, 25 – Final – Mansfield completed an undefeated dual meet season with a win over Sharon anchored by sweeps in the shot put and the 55M dash, first place finishes in six more events, and wins in both relays. The Davenport division champs picked up all nine points in the shot put led by Ayden Agbasi’s throw of 44-10.75 with Billy Gardner and Daniel Mintz rounding out the top three. Myles Brown earned first in the 55M dash in 6.76 followed closely in second by Nate Kablik (6.88) and third by Sirius Li (6.96). Talon Johnson had a league-best time in the 1000M, clocking in at 2:40.46 for first, Evan Thevenot took first in the long jump (19-11.50), freshman Joey Federline Jr. won the 2 Mile by breaking 11 minutes for the first time (10:58.15), Troy Penney won the 600M (1:29.04) by less than a second over Sharon’s Karthik Pisupati (1:29.77) with Kyle Dickinson’s PR time of 1:32.37 good for third, Colby Quersher took the 1 Mile in 4:54.12, and Grady Sullivan (37.26) and Matthew Breitenstein went 1-2 in the 300M, both setting new PRs. For Sharon, Naeem Prempin won the high jump (5-04.00) and Alexander Gong clocked in at 8.12 to win the 55M hurdles.
Attleboro, 52 @ Franklin, 48 – Final – Attleboro won both relays, setting a new school record in the 4×200 in the process, to rally for a win over Franklin and clinch the Kelley-Rex division title. Trailing by one going into the final relay, the Bombardiers 2×400 relay team of Peter DelPozzo, Michael Huntington, Jordan Rivera-Silva, and Adrian Rivera registered the best time in school history at 1:33.08 to win the relay and the dual meet. Attleboro’s 4×400 relay team of Austin Bowie, Nicolas Graber, Sean Kaswale, and Camden Martin won in 3:33.62, less than a second ahead of Franklin. Sean O’Hara-Ouellette won the high jump (6-00.00), Adrian Rivera and Jordan Rivera-Silva went 1-2 in the long jump, DelPozzo clocked in first in the 55M hurdles (8.47), and Rivera-Silva took first in the 300M. Luke Hagopian (1000M), Kamron marsh (shot put), and Graber (600M) each had key second place finishes to secure key points. Franklin picked up wins from Jacob Bowser (shot put), Tyler Apicella (2 Mile), Luke Sidwell (55M dash), Jack Halter (1000M), Jake Vaccarezza (600M), and swept the 1 Mile (Jonathan Pink, Will Boozang, Bradford Morin).
King Philip, 42 @ Taunton, 58 – Final – Taunton won both relays, picked up nine points in each the 55M dash and the 300M, and had three more first place finishes in a win over KP. Dmitrius Shearrion anchored both sweeps for the Tigers and was apart of the winning 4×200 relay. Shearrion won the 55M dash in 6.75 followed by Jonathan Trinh and Xavier Spencer, while his win in the 300M (35.30) anchored the sweep along with Jared Spencer and Chris Wallace. Sam Denis added a win in the 2 Mile (10:34.45), Andrew Cali clocked in first in the 1000M (2:50.25), and Cam Door won the 600M in 1:33.23. Degen Granese won a pair of events for the Warriors, taking first in both the long jump (19-04.75) and the shot put (41-09.00), Keagan Fletcher won the high jump at 6-00.00, Kevin Smith’s time of 8.45 won the 55M hurdles, and Nathan Sylven crossed the finish line at 4:43.44 to win the 1 Mile race.
North Attleboro, 66.5 @ Milford, 33.5 – Final – North Attleboro’s Nathan Shultz continued his dominance this season, taking three wins — all three with league-best finishes — to lead the Rocketeers to a win over Milford. Shultz was the fastest in the 55M dash, recording a league-best time of 6.69 and then posted a league-best jump of 6-06.00 to win the high jump and a Hock-best leap of 22-05.75 to win the long jump. Connor Peterson anchored a sweep in the 2 Mile with a time of 11:01.51 followed by William Atwood and Brendan Simpson. North also got 1-2 finishes in the long jump (Kyle Conroy), the 55M dash (Abraham Guir), the 1000M (Brady King, Yousef Abdalla), and the 300M (Sam Bush, Guir). Milford’s Christopher Benson won the shot put with a throw of 35-04.00 and Ben Parson took first in the 600M (1:29.99).
Girls Indoor Track
Oliver Ames, 57 @ Stoughton, 43 – Final – Oliver Ames completed its second straight undefeated dual meet season to claim another Davenport division title, their seventh overall. The Tigers swept a pair of events with Katie Sobieraj anchoring both of them. Sobieraj had a Hock-best time of 3:00.38 in the 300M and was followed by teammates Molly Capece and Erin Reilly while also winning the 2 Mile in 12:39.50 with Iole Apostoli and Brynn Cushing rounding out the top three. Jenna Gilman added a win in the 600M (1:41.67), Catie Wilson took another win in the shot put (28-03.00), and Taegan Hodges and Hailey Goldman went 1-2 in the 1 Mile race. Stoughton’s Gabriele Julien won both the high jump (4-10.00) and the long jump (15-08.50), Shayla Ford was also a double-winner by taking the 55M dash (7.56) and the 300M (42.78), and Belleya Franck added a first place finish in the 55M hurdles (9.73).
Canton, 77 @ Foxboro, 23 – Final – Canton collected key points by sweeping both the shot put and the 1000M in a win over Foxboro to conclude the dual meet season. Emma Massih anchored the sweep in the shot put along with Allie Wong and Jess Brathwaite while Tahlia Weaver led the charge in the 1000M with Daphne Golden and Sarah Dempster rounding out the top three. Katie Oliver was a double-winner for the Bulldogs, taking first in both the 55M hurdles and the long jump, Maggie McCready had a 10-second personal best time while taking first in the 1 Mile, and Lexi Piazza won the 600M race, setting a new PR by seven seconds.
Mansfield, 74 @ Sharon, 24 – Final – Mansfield took first in 10 events plus one relay to claim a big win over Sharon. The Hornets swept the shot put (Caitlin Garrahy, Juliana Machado, Joselyn Saba), the 55M dash (Abigail Scott, Chloe Guthrie, Meghan Driscoll), and the 300M (Olivia Barry, Brooke Penney, Alexandra Leman) for a total of 27 points. Guthrie also won the long jump (15-10.00), Elyssa Buchanan won two events, taking first in the 55M hurdles (9.47) and the high jump (4-08.00), Anna Moore won the 2 Mile in 12:10.00, Norah Puleo took first in the 1000M (3:23.01), Avery Hawthorne added five points by winning the 600M (1:50.11), and Alexandra Petrova clocked in at 6:09.78 to win the 1 Mile. Olivia Nau had six points for the Eagles, taking second in both the long jump and the 55M hurdles.
Attleboro, 9 @ Franklin, 90 – Final – Franklin swept eight events in a dominant showing, finishing off a 5-0 season to clinch the Kelley-Rex division crown for the first time since 2018. The Panthers swept the high jump (Abigail Griffith, Sarah Dumas, Vera Hansen), the long jump (Dumas, Barra Pfluke, Cailyn Bruno), the shot put (Lily DeForge, Elizabeth Hopkins, Darby Nicholson), the 55M hurdles (Ella Chandaria, Hansen, Bruno), the 55M dash (Dumas, Chandaria, Sophia Cuneo), the 1000M (Gwenyth Holland, Allison Powderly, Katie Barrow), the 600M (Bruno, Anna Cliff, Ella McLaughlin), and the 300M (Cuneo, Olivia Costa, Cassidy Carmignani). Mackenzie Mann added a win in the 2 Mile, clocking in at 13:43.88. Attleboro’a Emilia Smith won the 1 Mile in 5:39.10.
King Philip, 54 @ Taunton, 45 – Final – King Philip won the 4×200 relay by less than two seconds to secure a win over Taunton in a close battle. The Tigers won the 4×800 relay in 4:25.63 (the team of Phylicia Dias, Braelyn Nichols, Sydney Martin, Caelyn O’Leary) to have a shot at the win but KP’s 4×200 relay team of Sarah Glaser, Madeline Hill, Ali Gill, and Alex D’Amadio finished in 1:52.79 to secure the win. D’Amadio collected six points from a first place finish in the 300M (43.25) and a third place in the 600M (1:51.23), Gill and Glaser finished 1-2 in the 55M dash, and Hill added 10 more points by winning both the long jump (15-05.00) and the 55M hurdles (9.74). Katherine O’Neil added a win in the shot put (32-00.50) and Cheyanne Kelley won the 1000M in 3:34.06. Taunton’s Colby Dunham won the 2 Mile in 13:09.23, Emersyn DePonte and Sarah Mendonca went 1-2 in the 1 Mile, and Dias and Martin finished first and second in the 600M.
North Attleboro, 50 @ Milford, 50 – Final – Milford and North Attleboro entered the relays tied, and after splitting the relays, finished that way in a 50-50 tie. There was no separation between the Hawks and the Rocketeers, who had 45 points apiece before the relays. Milford won six of the 10 events but North had key depth by getting points from second and third place finishes. Kiyanna Simas won both the long jump (17-04.00) and the 55M dash (7.43), both were league best finishes on the night. The Hawks also got wins from Kay Wheelock (55M hurdles, 10.16), Carly Haley (1000M, 3:30.71), Sydney Kalil (1 Mile, 5:40.35), and swept the 300M (Gabby Peniche, Kaylee Whitney, Wheelock). North picked up wins from Sydney O’Connor in the high jump (4-08.00) with Caroline Folan and Megan Ladd rounding out a sweep, Sienna Newth in the shot put (32-06.50), Ellie Fournier in the 2 Mile (13:34.87), and Faith Wilder in the 600M (2:06.43).
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
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.”
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!”
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!”
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!”
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.”
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.”
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.
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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.
Sharon players celebrate the final point in their preliminary round match against Revere in the D2 state tournament. The Eagles won 3-1. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
SHARON, Mass. – Sharon closed out its regular season with a sweep of Stoughton. The Eagles celebrated senior night and what they believed to be the end of the year, but those celebrations were premature. Two days later they found out that they had qualified as the No. 29 seed in Division 2. For the first time in years, Sharon was heading to the tournament.
On Wednesday night, the Eagles welcomed No. 36 seed Revere. The Patriots jumped on top with a solid first set and it looked like the playoff run might come to an abrupt end, but Sharon battled back, coming from behind in the match and in each of the third and fourth sets to secure a 3-1 (18-25, 25-10, 25-23, 25-21) victory.
“We had senior night and everyone was super excited,” said senior captain Simone Dunbar. “The season was over, and then we get an email on Sunday night saying we’re playing playoff games next week. It was really surprising.”
“At first, I was a little shaken up because our season didn’t go the way I wanted it to,” she continued. “Once we got into it, it was great. As a senior it definitely feels really good to get to continue in volleyball because I do love to play the sport and I love my team.”
After winning three of their last four matches coming into Wednesday, the Eagles seemed to carry that momentum into the match against Revere, scoring the opening six points. Then things took a turn, as Revere rolled off nine of the next 10 to take the lead. A kill and an ace by Erin Schustek put Sharon back in front 11-10, but four straight by the visitors stole the energy right back.
The Patriots had control of the match after one set, but Sharon looked much more confident and had far more energy in the second to even things up.
“I told them I wanted to see more of the beginning part of the [first] game than the latter and I’m getting too old for repeat performances like that and they responded well,” said Sharon coach Bill Schustek.
Dunbar started things with a block and Sophia Pandey went on a couple of long runs at the service line. Trinity Payne came off the bench to give Sharon a dominant presence in the middle. She scored four points in the set and also gave the Eagles strong defense at the net. Olivia Nau also gave Sharon a lift on the defensive side with a couple of big blocks on the outside. Lavinna Denny kept plays alive with her defense in the back row and had several important serves.
This time it was the Eagles that had momentum after the set, but again the momentum seemed to be left behind with the change of sides.
Revere stormed out of the gates in the third with Ayra Vranic causing problems on the outside and Kelren Fernandes Dias’s jump serve proving difficult to handle. An ace by Tassya Da Costa put the Patriots up 15-7 and it looked like they might run away with the set and regain the lead.
Instead, a pair of violations got Sharon going and cut the lead to six. Nau had another block for a point and Pandey’s serve got the Eagles within four. An ace by Denny put Sharon ahead in the set, 18-17. It was an 11-2 run to grab the lead.
“They didn’t try to do it seven or eight points at a time,” Schustek explained. “They knew to get a couple, then side out, then a couple more and side out. All credit to them and the senior leaders showing their stuff. They kept everybody calm out on the court.”
The visitors weren’t done and came back with three straight points, but another violation and an error tied things at 20-20 and Schustek fired in an ace to go in front. After Revere came back with two straight, Amanda Brown had her biggest swing of the night, grabbing a kill to tie it. Maia ben-Joseph came up with an ace and an error put the Eagles on the brink. Dunbar had the final swing of the third, finding the court to make it 2-1 Sharon.
“We’re definitely good at picking each other up, especially when we start to get down,” Dunbar said. “I think volleyball is a really mental sport. As soon as you get in your own head, it’s going to ruin what’s going on with the rest of the team. All through the season, we’ve been good at building each other back up and it really just showed through this game.”
In the fourth, things started out back-and-forth, with Sharon holding an early 8-6 lead. Revere put together and 11-3 run and led 17-11. The match looked destined for a decisive fifth set.
Again, the Eagles proved resilient and started chipping away at the lead. When libero Emily Coplan serve skipped off the top of the net and dropped into an empty space, the Eagles had come all the way back to tie it at 18-18. An error put Revere back in front, but Savannah Gray managed to get a point with an accurate, off-balance, lefty tip. Another Revere kill made it 20-19 but Sonja Gray set Schustek for a kill on the outside and then she followed it with back-to-back aces to give Sharon a two-point cushion.
“Once we get focused on serve-receive and do a good job putting up a settable ball, good things happen on offense for sure,” Schustek said. “Sonja Gray did a great job picking her hitters and putting the ball where they can do something good with it.”
The Patriots got one back but a hitting error gave the Eagles the serve leading 23-21. Ben-Joseph, who was called up to varsity late in the season, fired another ace to put the Eagles on the brink of the Round of 32. Dunbar would get the final point, her bump finding the right spot to cause havoc for the Patriots.
Sharon (6-13) will now advance to face No. 4 seed Billerica on Friday afternoon.
“It’s awesome,” Schustek said about the experience of playing in the postseason. “I mentioned to the other Hock coaches at the coaches’ meeting, I thanked them for being so good that we were able to get into the tournament. That’s the difference between the Hock and a lot of other leagues, we’ve got 11 of 12 teams in the tournament and it speaks volumes about the league.”
