Freshman Julia Leonardo (12) led the way for the Attleboro attack, helping the Bombardiers rally from 2-1 down to win a five-set match with Milford. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
ATTLEBORO, Mass. – Momentum is a funny thing. You never know exactly when it might turn and if you’ll be able to get it back. On Tuesday night, Attleboro grabbed momentum midway through the fourth set and never let it go.
The Bombardiers rattled off five straight points to go ahead by seven in the fourth, keeping the match alive and forcing a decisive final set. Attleboro kept its foot on the gas and pulled away in the fifth to earn a 3-2 (13-25, 25-14, 20-25, 25-21,15-7) victory over Milford, sweeping the season series with the Hawks and putting the Bombardiers just one win away from clinching a rare playoff spot.
“They have not given up,” Attleboro coach Mary Katherine Runey said. “Even when we’re behind in game three, we’re already thinking we need the momentum at the end of game three to go into set four. Those are the things we emphasized, and our defense. When our defense is on fire, we can really showcase what we have to offer on offense.”
Milford came out on fire, dominating the opening set and controlling all aspects of the match. The Hawks won seven of the first eight points and never allowed the Bombardiers to get going. Aliza Syed was strong at the net, winning points with either hand and limiting the free swings for Attleboro’s standout freshman Julia Leonardo.
Sarah Brogioli added a big block to make the score 15-9 and Syed followed with a kill off the blocker. After a few errors and a good swing by Leonardo, Brogioli added a kill to make the score 20-11 and then an ace that got the Hawks within two points of a first set win.
There must have been something about that end of the court because over the first four sets, Milford’s 1-0 lead in the fourth was the only lead that either team had from the right-side bench.
Attleboro looked like a completely different team in the second, in what turned out to be almost a mirror images of the opening set. Setter Natalie Brojek opened the set with six straight at the service line, including three aces. Lexi Starks ended the run with a kill and an ace, but the Bombardiers had a little energy on their side.
Leonardo started to find a rhythm on the outside, hammering one of her six kills in the second. After a kill by middle hitter Kate Petrosso, Leonardo then came up with a block on the edge and Summer Pereira found the court with her serve to put Attleboro up eight.
“We were managing her and then, I don’t know, she made a few adjustments and we didn’t adjust back,” said Milford coach Tammy Webber. “Unforced errors, mental mistakes, they can’t miss a serve and then we miss a serve. You’ve got to take advantage when you have the ball and we didn’t.”
Starks tried to keep the Hawks close with a good swing and an accurate tip, but Gabby Bolduc answered for Attleboro and Leonardo kept firing darts on the outside. Petrosso hit one off the blockers to close out the set and even the match.
“It’s Natalie’s job to decide when it’s time to switch it up,” said Runey. “We’ve talked a lot about controlling the rhythm of the game and if we keep playing the game on the left side of the court then we need to go to the right and if we keep playing it tight to the net then we need to set the back row.”
When the teams switched sides, the momentum seemed to follow the Hawks, who jumped in front 6-1 to start the third. Brogioli had a kill and then earned a point by laying out for a dig that managed to find open court on the other side of the net. Maeve Driscoll had an ace and the Hawks led 13-7, but Attleboro managed to hang around.
Down 18-11, the Bombardiers won six of the next seven points, but Starks had a big kill to end the run and restore some comfort for the visitors. Leonardo painted the line with a kill to keep the set alive, but Syed closed it out on the next point with another kill.
A kill by Starks put the Hawks up to start the fourth, but Delia Barthel’s hit put the Bombardiers 3-2 . Things went back and forth until Petrosso had a kill that Milford’s defense could only hit up into the ceiling. Petrosso followed that with a pair of aces and Attleboro led 8-5. Brojek added a service point when another dig found its way into the rafters and then Leonardo started to catch fire with a couple of kills to make it 16-9.
A block by Starks kept things tight, 17-14, a great tip by Leonardo gave Attleboro breathing room. Brianna Frissora had a block and Bolduc an ace to extend the lead and force a final set.
“Doesn’t matter if you’re leading, behind, whatever, momentum in volleyball is so unpredictable,” Webber explained. “No matter how good you are, you just never know. They came in low and then got high and it’s the game unfortunately.”
Milford also won the first point in the fifth, but Attleboro won the next three. A good swing by setter Emily Croteau helped get one back for the Hawks but Leonardo answered with another kill. At this point in the match, Brojek was serving Leonardo no matter where she was lined up, as the freshman had a pair of kills from the back row in the fifth.
“She is by far the most aggressive person on the court,” said Runey of Leonardo. “She wants the ball all the time. She is definitely someone who works tirelessly on her game and she wants to be that go-to player. The leadership role that she’s taken on that court, even as a freshman, is awesome to see.”
An ace by Bolduc put the Bombardiers on the brink and fittingly it was Leonardo who closed the match with another kill. Attleboro is now just a win away from clinching a spot in the postseason. While the Bombardiers (and the Hawks) are well-positioned in the power rankings, Runey wants her team to get that ninth win and seal a spot.
She said, “It would mean so much more to earn that playoff opportunity. I don’t want to settle for just being in the top 32, I want us to earn that spot because these girls fight every single game. I believe in them all the time, but it would mean a lot for them to see that they can finally believe in themselves too.”
Attleboro (8-7) will try to clinch a playoff spot with a trip to Taunton on Thursday. Milford (7-7) will try to bounce back with matches against the league’s top two teams, King Philip and then Franklin.
Field Hockey
Attleboro, 6 @ Milford, 0 – Final – In its second game in as many days, Attleboro bounced back from a loss on Monday with a convincing win on Tuesday on the road over Milford. Siobhan Landers paced the attack for the Bombardiers, netting a pair of goals. Jordan Mooney, Emma Briggs, Emelia Westwater, and Sarah McMahon all scored once for Attleboro.
Stoughton, 0 @ Canton, 6 – Final
Foxboro @ North Attleboro, 5:15
Taunton, 0 @ Franklin, 9 – Final – Franklin scored three goals inside a six minute span in the first quarter to set the tone and the Panthers never looked back in a win over visiting Taunton. Kaitlyn Carney, Sydney Rogan, and Payten Crandall all scored for Franklin with the latter also assisting on the second goal. Carney went on to add three more goals, two assisted by Emily Carney in the third quarter. Shaw Downing and Haley Wernig also had first half goals while Sophia Cuneo tacked on a goal in the fourth quarter. Megan Sullivan had the shutout in net for the hosts.
King Philip, 2 @ Mansfield, 0 – Final – After a scoreless first half, King Philip scored once in each quarter of the second half to get a win on the road over Mansfield. Sophomore Mara Boldy broke the deadlock with a goal midway through the third quarter and sophomore Kelly Holmes put the game away when she found the back of the cage with three minutes to play. Junior Haley Bright turned away three shots to earn the save while seniors Molly Piller, Christina Gifun, and Lily Brown all had strong games for KP. KP head coach Lisa Cropper praised the “outstanding game” of freshman Abby MacDonald, who made her first varsity start at left midfield.
Oliver Ames, 6 @ Sharon, 0 – Final – Oliver Ames set the tone in its road game at Sharon with three goals in the first quarter, stretching the lead to 5-0 by the halftime break. Erin Cottam opened the scoring off an assist from Georgia Costello less than a minute into the contest and then doubled the Tigers’ advantage off a feed from Tyla Delamere. Costello then made it 3-0 with just under five minutes to go in the first quarter. Julia Maclaine and Ava Costello scored by halftime while Lily Gaskill had two first half assists. Georgia Costello (from Cottam) aded the final goal in the third quarter.
Volleyball
Attleboro, 3 @ Milford, 1 – Final – Attleboro erased a one-set deficit by winning three straight to earn a win on the road over the Scarlet Hawks, 3-1 (21-25, 25-19, 25-23, 25-18). Summer Pereira had a strong performance at the net with 12 digs, Natalie Brojek dished out 30 assists, and freshman Julia Leonardo finished with 14 digs and 18 kills. Gabby Bolduc and Tigin Bombardier both played well at the night for Attleboro.
Foxboro @ North Attleboro, 6:00
Stoughton, 0 @ Canton, 3 – Final – Canton grabbed its second win in as many days, this time sweeping neighboring Stoughton, 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-12). Anna Verille had a standout performance for the Bulldogs, recording 12 digs, eight aces, and a kill. Taylor Reynolds dished out 21 assists while Kelly MacDonald had a perfect night at the service line and played solid defense.
Taunton, 0 @ Franklin, 3 – Final – Franklin senior Cailyn Mackintosh did it all to lead the Panthers to a win at home, a 3-0 sweep (25-11, 25-9, 25-20) over Taunton. Mackintosh had 21 assists, 10 digs, four aces, and three kills in a strong all-around performance while sophomore Taylor Lacerda added 10 kills an an ace in the win.
King Philip, 3 @ Mansfield, 0 – Final – King Philip went on the road and earned a win in hard-fought battle, walking away with a 3-0 sweep (25-17, 25-16, 25-16). The Warriors had a balance attack at the net led by Sami Shore’s 10 kills, Ahunna James’ nine kills, and Emily Sawyer’s six kills. Samantha Asprelli added 11 digs to anchor the defense while Stella Bailey shined at the service line with 17 service points, including seven aces.
Oliver Ames, 3 @ Sharon, 0 – Final – Click here for a photo gallery from this match – Oliver Ames took care of business in the first two sets and then fended off a strong fight from Sharon in the third to complete the 3-0 sweep (25-12, 25-14, 25-23). Hadley Rhodes dished out 20 assists, Maddie Homer recorded 22 digs, and Sarah Hilliard (12 kills) and Courtney Raymond (five kills, five aces) paced the offense. Junior Mary Derba had a strong all-around game at the net for the Tigers.
Boys Cross-Country
Franklin, 20 @ Attleboro, 43 – Final – Attleboro’s Lee Casstevens won the race but the next seven runners to cross the finish line were all Panthers. Casstevens crossed at 17:15 for first overall followed by Franklin’s Griffin Sieczkiewicz in second and Clancy Golden in third. Stephen Rontiris, Tyler Apicella, Michael Farrow, Connor Kucich, and Will Boozang all finished in order to round out the top eight spots.
Canton @ Sharon, 3:45
Foxboro @ North Attleboro, 3:45
King Philip, 46 @ Taunton, 17 – Final – Taunton senior captain Ryan Strawbridge ran a personal best time on his way to a first place finish at home, helping the Tigers win big on senior night. Strawbridge shaved seven seconds off his previous best, setting a new mark at 17:15 in the win. Sophomores Brayden Cali (17:16) and Andrew Cali (17:41) rounded out the top three for the Tigers, freshman Cam Dorr set a new PR by over 30 seconds for fifth overall, and junior Sam Dennis took sixth overall in his varsity debut. Junior captain Jack Pawlowski also set a new PR by over 30 seconds and took seventh overall.
Mansfield, 23 @ Milford, 32 – Final – Mansfield picked up its second win in a row to start the season, this time taking down Milford on the road. Collin Stevens was the Hornets’ top finisher, clocking in at 17:28. Sophomore Talon Johnson had a strong showing in his debut race, crossing the finish line at 18:34 for sixth overall.
Oliver Ames @ Stoughton, 3:45
Girls Cross-Country
Franklin, 15 @ Attleboro, 50 – Final – It was a clean sweep for the Panthers with their five scorers taking the first five spots in the race. Abigail Baker was first overall followed by Fiona Morrison, Carli Walbert, Alex Batla, and Vivie Loukota to found out the top five.
Canton @ Sharon, 3:45
Foxboro @ North Attleboro, 3:45
King Philip, 27 @ Taunton, 28 – Final – Taunton had the top two runners but King Philip took the next four spots plus a ninth place finish to edge out Taunton by a point. Taunton freshman Emersyn Deponte tied the Tiger record for dual meet wins in a season by taking first in her second straight race, this time in 21:10. Classmate Colby Dunham was just seconds behind for second overall in 21:32. Also scoring for Taunton was junior Kiley Quinlan (22:16), junior Phylicia Dias (23:06), and eighth grader Tori Corrao (23:55).
Mansfield, 22 @ Milford, 33 – Final – Mansfield sophomore Anna Moore won the race and the Hornets got key points following some great pack running in a win over Milford. Moore clocked in at 20:12 for first overall, followed by Milford’s Sydney Kalil (20:27), Mansfield’s Meghan Johnston (20:42), and Milford’s Jillian Araujo (20:47). After splitting the first four spots, Mansfield’s trio of junior Devin Anderson, senior Sophia Allen, and junior Alanna Conley finished in that order within a 10-second span to take the next three spots and help the Hornets get the win.
Oliver Ames @ Stoughton, 3:45
Golf
Stoughton, 194 @ Sharon, 175 – Final – Sharon defended its home turf with a win over Stoughton at the Cape Club of Sharon. Eric Carter earned match medalist honors after shooting a 43 to lead the Eagles. Rosie Leonard, Chance Hanna, and Noah Glassman all shot 45 to round out the scoring for the hosts. Anthony Hern had the low-round for the Black Knights, shooting a 44 on the day.
Canton, 151 @ Franklin, 166 – Final – All four of Canton’s scorers shot 40 or better on the road at Franklin Country Club, leading the Bulldogs to a non-league win. Conor Hunter was the match medalist, shooting a low-round of 35 to pace the visitors. Will Gefteas added a 36 in the win while both Mike Leonetti and Nate MacDonald shot 40. CJ Steel fired a team-low round of 40 for the Panthers, Brendan Collins and Tyler O’Brien each shot a 41, and Liam Lewandowski came in with a round of 44.
North Attleboro, 168 @ Foxboro, 170 – Final – North Attleboro did just enough on the front nine at Foxboro Country Club to take home a two-stroke victory over division foe Foxboro. Jake Gaskin continued his strong play this season, this time coming in with a one-under par round of 37 to earn match medalist honors. Dillon Harding added a 43 in the win while both Tyson Laviano and Aaron Levesque finished at 44. Foxboro’s Jack Rounds had a team-low round of 40 while Matt Sullivan was just a shot behind at 41. Matt Fossella added a 44 and Jack Watts chipped in with a 45.
Mansfield, 150 @ Oliver Ames, 151 – Final – Mansfield returned home with a hard fought win, taking a one-stroke victory on the road at Pine Oaks against Oliver Ames. Hunter Tang fired an even par round of 34 to earn medalist honors for the Hornets, Cian Goulet added 38 in the win, and both Cody Nieratko and Ryan Doherty shot a 40. For Oliver Ames, senior captain Jake Kaplan had the team-low round of 36, both Jo Jo Gaultier and Daniel Paul shot 38, and Brendan Connelly and David Rodgers each finished at 39.
Taunton, 196 vs. New Bedford, 212 – Final – Taunton earned its first win of the season by knocking off New Bedford, splitting the season series with the Whalers. Loran Corcoran led the Tigers with a team-low round of 47 while Jack Gobin and Shawn Murphy each shot 48 for Taunton.
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
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.”
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!”
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.”
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.
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!”
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.
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.
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.”
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!”
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.”
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.”
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.
Milford players celebrate after the final point of their come from behind, five-set win at Attleboro. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
ATTLEBORO, Mass. – In a shortened fifth set, getting off to a good start is paramount. After battling back to even Wednesday night’s match at two sets apiece, Milford carried the momentum over, winning seven of the final set’s first eight points and never looking back.
The Hawks came back from down a set twice in the match before finally pulling out a 3-2 (17-25, 25-7, 19-25, 25-14, 15-7) road victory that completes a hard-fought season sweep of the Bombardiers and moves Milford back to .500 on the year.
“The consistency wasn’t there tonight, that’s for sure,” admitted Milford coach Tammy Webber, who praised her team for being able to battle and still come out with the win. She added, “That’s a sign of growth that they were able to do that because I’d say in the past we would’ve folded in the fifth set.”
Attleboro has struggled in the opening set of its last two matches (at Taunton and at Milford) and found it hard to climb back out of the early hole. On Wednesday, the Bombardiers came out with extra energy and an emphasis on starting quickly. It worked.
The Bombardiers used a 7-0 run to turn a 6-3 deficit into a 10-6 lead in the first. Gabriella Bolduc gave Attleboro an early spark with a couple of kills and Summer Pereira stepped up in the middle with three blocks in the first. After Milford answered with three straight, Attleboro rattled off 10 of the next 14 points to take control of the set.
“Playing on the road is always difficult,” said first-year Attleboro coach Mary Katherine Runey. “Our fans aren’t there and we’re staying on the bus until we’re allowed to come in and that’s definitely taking a hit on us, but I was excited to get back at home because I know we have way more energy.”
Krista Greening had a good swing off the Milford block for a point and then Ana Leonardo fired in an ace. Elise Fauerbach had a block for the Hawks to try and stall Attleboro’s momentum but Natalie Brojek had a kill and then Pereira closed out the first with another block.
“The block has not been there all season and the defense has really taken a hit,” Runey said, “but tonight the switch was flipped and Summer was hot and I was so happy to see it. She really need that for her own play and I was happy for her.”
After such a great start, it looked like Attleboro was on its way, but the second set was all Milford. The Hawks scored 13 of the first 14 points in the set and then closed it with the final eight points to earn a lopsided point in the match.
Cressida Michalowski had three aces during the first portion of the set. Lexi Starks had a bump drop in for a point and Sarah Brogioli started to heat up on the outside. During the final run to close out the set, Starks added a pair of aces and Aliza Syed scored with a tip and a block. The combination of Brogioli on the outside and Syed in the middle was tough for Attleboro to contain.
Webber said, “I’m happy with the balance of our hitters this year. We have a good mix of strength and finesse and consistency. It’s been good.”
The hosts quickly set aside the difficult second set and got back to the strong serve-receive game that they played at the start of the match, but a Syed kill had the Hawks up 14-11. Attleboro didn’t panic and scored the next seven points to take the lead.
Pereira got it started with a block that fired up the Bombardiers and Kate Petrosso had a big swing in the middle to tie the set at 14-14. Milford kept things close but a couple of errors a service point from Lily Boedeker gave Attleboro a cushion to restore its lead in the match.
Milford seemed to thrive in the even numbered sets. With Attleboro leading the fourth 7-6, nine of the next 10 points to put themselves in front to stay. Starks got it going with a kill and then a well-place tip and Brogioli had back-to-back aces for a 15-8 lead. Brojek answered with a nice tip over the block but Brogioli had a pair of kills and Michalowski had an ace.
After Fauerbach scored with a swing off the Attleboro block, Syed added a kill. Brogioli closed out the fourth with another big hit on the outside.
“If the other team gets three or four in a row, then they start to lose their confidence in themselves,” Runey explained. “We need to develop our winning mindset and as soon as they see that start to slip away it really takes its toll on their confidence.”
Now that Milford was back in it, the Hawks made sure to close things out. Syed had a kill and a block and Emily Croteau added an ace as the visitors scored the first four points of the fifth set. Michalowski added back-to-back aces, the first hitting the top of the net before dropping in, and Attleboro never recovered. The Bombardiers got no closer than four and the Hawks pulled away to get the win.
“You never want to have to come back in the fifth set,” said Webber. “Our serving has been our go-to so far this season and when it fails us it really affects our game and we scored a lot of points of it but we really needed it in the fifth game.”
After starting with two tough matches against league-leading Franklin, Milford (2-2) has built a little momentum heading into two matches against King Philip.
“We were trying not to gauge our whole season off of Franklin,” Webber said. “It was a little measuring stick, but we knew we could play better than that and we played better this week.”
Attleboro (1-3) will look to rebound when it hosts Mansfield on Monday.
