Attleboro junior setter Natalie Brojek dishes out one of her 28 assists to lead the Bombardiers to their first playoff win in over a decade. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
ATTLEBORO, Mass. – It has been a remarkable season for the Attleboro volleyball program. The Bombardiers opened their new gym by winning 16 games in the regular season, one of the best records in program history, and won a share of its first Kelley-Rex division title. On Thursday night, Attleboro added a couple more milestones to this fall to remember.
The seventh-seeded Bombardiers had little trouble sweeping No. 26 seed Westford Academy 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-17) to record their first playoff win in over a decade. During the victory, junior captain Natalie Brojek celebrated a personal accomplishment when she dished out her 1,000th career assist.
“She’s only a junior but I don’t know what I’m going to do without her,” said Attleboro coach Mary Katherine Runey. “It’s so much more than the assists. She is everything and so much more because she knows when to focus and she knows how to be a leader. Without her leadership this year, I don’t know that we could have been as successful.”
After the match, Brojek said, “It’s such a big accomplishment to me, especially since I got it as a junior, but it really means just running my offense. Numbers and stats can be important but what means most to me is playing with Attleboro, playing with my team. I love setting. I love this team.”
While Attleboro knew that it was a significant favorite coming into the playoff opener, and that it had faced some of the state’s best to win the league title, there is a different energy level in the tournament, especially for a team that had so few players who experienced it before.
Getting off to a good start to the match was critical and Attleboro did just that, jumping out to an 8-1 lead. Ellie Shelton and Addison Shelton (seven kills) helped the Bombardiers take the early lead in the set with strong service games. An ace from Ellie Shelton made it 13-3. Brojek showed off her all-around game, diving forward to dig a Westford hit and set up Julia Leonardo for a kill that increased the lead to 15-5.
“We love to drop a first set,” Runey joked when asked about the importance of starting quickly to not give the underdogs any momentum. “I kept emphasizing how important it was to come out strong. We can’t alter the way that we play dependent on who’s on the other end. I’m really happy that we were able to stay consistent and then also celebrate [Natalie] tonight.”
Leonardo smacked one off the block and Addison Shelton followed with a kill of her own. After back-to-back Westford points, Brojek took matters into her own hands with a kill. Ellie Shelton (six aces) added a kill and an ace and Leonardo fired in another spike to put Attleboro on the brink of a lead in the match. Brojek finished off the first set with a push shot that dropped into the middle of the Westford defense.
After a dominant opening set, Attleboro had a let-off at the start of the second. The Grey Ghosts were able to pull ahead early. Leonardo got into the swing with back-to-back points to even things at five apiece and then snuck an ace inside the back line for a 7-6 lead. Attleboro’s lead was as much as six (17-11), but Westford kept coming back.
The Ghosts went on an 8-1 run and regained the lead at 19-18. Middle hitter Alanna Sanders was giving the Bombardiers issues and Katherine Crane was finding space on the outside. Ellie Shelton pulled Attleboro level with a block for a point and then delivered an ace to restore the lead.
Attleboro would win the final five points of the second to put themselves in control of the match. Tigin Bombardier had a crucial block for a point and Leonardo (14 kills) caught fire with three kills over those final five points, including strong swings on the last two points.
“We’ve been trying to focus when we allow a team to get two or three points, I want them to have that volleyball IQ to know what to address, what can we on the court fix, prioritize a side out, and put the ball back on our side,” Runey said.
Brojek went into the final set needing just one more assist to reach 1,000. She made it quick, delivering a pass to Ellie Shelton for the milestone assist.
Leonardo was proving to be too much for the Westford defense. She had three more kills at the start of the set, helping the Bombardiers push out to a 7-2 lead, then three more as Attleboro made it 10-5. Westford got back within three at 13-10 but it would be as close as the Ghosts would get in the third.
Brojek (28 assists) fired in a pair of aces, then Leonardo had consecutive kills and it was 19-13. Two aces from Julia Mondiello and more strong defense from libero Sadie Whitmarsh kept Westford out of reach, as Attleboro cruised into the next round.
“Walking in, I was a little bit nervous,” Brojek explained. “It was definitely a different level of energy, especially knowing we have something to prove. We’ve already proven that we could make the playoffs, so making it farther and beating more and more teams was really important to us. I’m so excited for the next game.”
Runey admitted, “We needed to get this under our belt. We have shown in practice and in our scrimmage this week that we were showing some nerves. Tonight was not our best performance, we have a lot to fix before we face our next round, but I’m proud of the way that we played.”
Attleboro (17-2) will host the winner of Needham and Boston Latin in the Sweet Sixteen on Monday night.
Attleboro players celebrate after clinching the fifth and final set and a win over visiting King Philip. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)
ATTLEBORO, Mass. — The Attleboro volleyball team was on the verge of completing an epic five-set thriller over one of the best teams in the state in King Philip, but in a blink of an eye, the Bombardiers’ six-point lead was gone.
Once holding a 12-6 lead in the deciding final set, Attleboro saw the Warriors rally for six straight points to tie the game and steal the momentum back. On top of that, Attleboro sent a free ball back instead of a swing, and KP was set up for a big attack in the middle.
But a huge double block from senior Tigin Bombardier and junior Natalie Brojek gave Attleboro the edge once again, and after trading points, sophomore Julia Leonardo (29 kills, 21 digs) landed a kill on a back row attack to secure a 3-2 (17-25, 25-17, 12-25, 25-21, 15-13) win.
“Tonight was huge,” said Attleboro head coach Mary Katherine Runey. “We knew going into this was going to be a massive match and I think it really showed the resiliency of our girls, especially being so young. We only have a couple of returners from last year so this was a true test for us, can we make the right plays in a big game? We had some moments where we showed our youth but in the end, we showed we’re capable of playing at this level.”
After splitting the first two sets, King Philip took a 2-1 lead after dominating the third set (25-12). The Bombardiers showed a lot of resolve in the fourth set as they saw a 12-10 lead turn into a 16-12 deficit. But just as quickly as their lead disappeared, it came back as the Bombardiers rattled off five straight points, including an ace from Addie Shelton, a nice push down the line by Leonardo, and an ace from Julia Mondello.
KP’s Emily Sawyer (eight kills, three blocks) traded kills with Leonardo, a service error put the Bombardiers on the brink and Leonardo once again used a back row attack to end it, 25-21.
King Philip came out with the win in the first set after a see-saw battle throughout. The Warriors led by three or four points for the majority of the set but really pulled away after getting a huge block from Kate O’Neil, a block from Sawyer, and an ace from Shore.
The second set played out similarly but it was Attleboro who claimed a three or four-point advantage by the midway point. Ellie Shelton, Addie Shelton, and Leonardo all registered kills off of assists from Brojek (39 assists, 14 digs), who did a great job throughout the match giving the Bombardiers a chance at attacking swings. Sadie Whitmarsh (23 digs) provided strong defense in the win.
“Who isn’t good at the net for [King Philip]?” said Runey. “We had to be strategic with where we were putting the ball on offense, we wanted to try to get them into mistakes passing and try and get their setter off the net which will help us defensively. We’re slowly working on our double block, which is something we want to utilize more throughout the playoffs. Both of their middles and Ahunna can put the ball at the one, and that throws any team off when their setter has to play true defense. I was very proud of the way both Natalie and Julia Mondello played in the back row tonight.”
Attleboro couldn’t have asked for a better start to the final set. Sami Shore (10 kills, six aces, four digs) scored the first point for KP after a nice dig from Ava Kelley (19 digs) but then it was six straight for the hosts: three errors from KP, an ace from Addie Shelton (seven kills, seven digs, four aces), a kill from Ellie Shelton (four kills), and another from Leonardo.
King Philip chipped away with a big block from Sawyer, a couple of Attleboro errors, some terrific defense from Ahunna James (11 kills, 25 digs, two blocks), and a clever dump from senior setter Kiara Hagen on the second touch to catch the defense, making it 12-12 before Attleboro finished it off.
“I think we can learn from this, playing a team like this and this is the first time we’ve gone to five sets all season,” said King Philip head coach Kristen Geuss. “We needed this…we needed to play in this atmosphere, we needed the crowd yelling at us, we needed this going forward. Attleboro played great, they are a great team and I give them total credit. Their program has really turned around which is so good to see. That being said, we made a lot of mistakes. We had a lot of unforced errors that we don’t usually do. But again, this environment was different so I think this is good for us.
“This was a hard loss but it was a well-fought match. What it does is open our eyes. We have to step up and stop the unforced errors. We came back in that fifth set, I was happy about that. That shows we can dig in. But a few points here or there against good teams can change things.”
Attleboro volleyball (12-1 Hockomock, 14-1 overall) takes sole possession of first place in the Kelley-Rex division with three matches to go. The Bombardiers are on the road the rest of the way, starting with a trip to Taunton on Wednesday ahead of a huge showdown with Franklin on Monday. King Philip (11-2, 14-2) will look to bounce back on Wednesday at Milford.
Football
Taunton, 46 @ Oliver Ames, 14 – Final – Click here for a photo gallery of this game. 1st Quarter: (T) Dmitrius Shearrion 79-yard rush, XP no good; (T) Malachi Johnson 38-yard rush, Sete Deletoille XP good; (OA) Chad Silva 1-yard rush, C. Silva 2-point rush; (T) Bryan Batista 1-yard rush, S. Deletoille XP good.
2nd Quarter: (T) M. Johnson 30-yard rush, S. Deletoille XP good; (T) Jacob Leonard 47-yard pass to Jose Touron, XP no good; (T) B. Batista 5-yard rush, 2-point conversion no good.
3rd Quarter: No scoring.
4th Quarter: (T) B. Batista 1-yard rush, Abby Doherty XP good; (OA) Brian Silva 5-yard pass to CJ Crocker, XP no good.
Girls Soccer
North Attleboro, 4 @ Sharon, 3 – Final – North led by two goals early, allowed Sharon to score three straight to grab the lead, and then rallied with a pair of goals in the final 12 minutes to pull out the win. Clara Giuliano opened the scoring for the visitors, finishing off a pass from Angelina Bostock. Samantha Hardy doubled North’s advantage in the 18th minute off of an assist from Caroline Ferrin. Sofia Goclowski sandwiched a brace for the Eagles around a goal from Autumn Simon while Carly Pinnix had a pair of assists. After Sharon took the lead in the 70th minute, Giuliano pulled the Rocketeers level on a shot from 25 yards out in the 76th minute. Just a minute later, Hardy headed in a cross from Lily Adams for the winner.
Field Hockey
Milford, 1 @ Attleboro, 6 – Final – Attleboro scored three goals in each half on its way to a win at home over visiting Milford. Stella Krawiec, Marley Young, and Siobhan Landers each scored a pair of goals and had an assist to pace the offense. Alyvia Bessette also had an assist for the Bombardiers.
Canton, 6 @ Sharon, 0 – Final
Franklin, 6 @ King Philip, 3 – Final – Franklin’s Haley Wernig scored a pair of second quarter goals inside a five minute span to give the Panthers some breathing room and Kaitlyn Carney’s third quarter tally added key insurance as Franklin survived a tough test from King Philip. The teams traded goals in the first quarter with Payten Crandall’s first goal of the game giving the visitors the lead. Wernig scored twice in the second to take the lead again before KP got one back, cutting the Panthers’ lead to 3-2 at half. Carney scored the lone goal of the third to make it 4-2, and Crandall’s second of the game late in the fourth pushed it to 5-2. KP pulled one back but Franklin once again responded with a goal with just over two minutes to play from Chloe Essam. Leah Santoro, Makenzie McDevitt and Lauren Barriero each had a goal for the Warriors. Devon Barry made six saves in net for Franklin while Haley Bright turned away nine shots for KP.
North Attleboro, 6 @ Taunton, 0 – Final – North Attleboro senior Julia Puccio had a hand in all six of the Rocketeers’ goals, leading the way to a big win on the road. Puccio scored three — the opening goal just under four minutes into the game (from Kelsey Thompson), the third goal of the game on a corner with 30 seconds left in the first half (from Ella Luistro), and the sixth and final, a strike with three minutes to play in the third assisted by Caroline Folan. Carrying a 1-0 lead into the second quarter, Thompson scored off of a corner, Madison Folan added one with 5:20 to go. Caitlin Vacher converted a pass from Puccio with 5:57 left in the third to make it 5-0. Gracie Leary and Eman Farid combined for the shutout for North.
Stoughton, 0 @ Oliver Ames, 7 – Final
Mansfield, 0 @ Foxboro, 5 – Final – Foxboro defended its home turf with its third straight shutout and 10th of the season in a 5-0 win over Mansfield. Mary Collins paced the offense with a hat trick while Mya Waryas and Mia Dinunzio each scored once for the Warriors.
Volleyball
Canton, 3 @ Sharon, 1 – Final – Sharon rallied to win the third set to keep the match alive but Canton closed out in impressive fashion to secure a 3-1 (25-16, 25-20, 21-25, 25-7) win on the road, avenging a loss to the Eagles from earlier this season. Jess Wright had a great game for the Bulldogs, recording 14 kills, 19 digs, four aces, and a block. Erin Bigham ran the offense with 33 assists and chipped in with a pair of kills while Sally Hoban added 11 kills and a pair of blocks. Haley Duhaime, Riley Costa, and Melanie McDonough provided a spark and played good defense for Canton.
Mansfield, 1 @ Foxboro, 3 – Final – In a great back-and-forth battle, Foxboro emerged with a hard-fought 3-1 (25-23, 27-29, 27-25, 25-21) win over Mansfield in a battle of evenly matched teams. Sami Sloan led the charge offensively for the Warriors with 17 kills and five aces, Juliana Petigrew added eight kills, six digs, and five aces, and Mallorie Meyer chipped in with six kills, two aces, and 13 digs. Alyssa Cloherty ran the offense with 37 assists and three aces. Lauren Rubicine had 16 digs, five aces, and four kills for the Hornets, Elyssa Buchanan added four kills, four digs, and three blocks, Keira Fitzpatrick dished out 13 assists and had 10 digs, and Lily Campbell added seven blocks, five digs, three kills, and a pair of aces.
Milford, 1 @ Attleboro, 3 – Final – After splitting the first two sets, Attleboro cruised to back-to-back wins to finish out a 3-1 (25-5, 21-25, 25-8, 25-8) win over visiting Milford. It was a strong all-around performance for the Bombardiers with Julia Leonardo (21 kills, seven aces), Addie Shelton (10 kills), Ellie Shelton (four aces, two kills), and Tigin Bombardier (four kills) playing well offensively. Natalie Brojek orchestrated the offense with 35 assists along with 10 aces while Sadie Whitmarsh notched 20 digs to anchor the defense.
North Attleboro @ Taunton, 5:15
Stoughton, 1 @ Oliver Ames, 3 – Final – Click here for a photo gallery of this match. – Stoughton tied the match at 1-1 after rallying to take the second set, but Oliver Ames closed it out with two straight set wins for a 3-1 (25-16, 24-26, 25-12, 25-22) decision. Sarah Hilliard (22 kills) and Courtney Raymond (10 kills, six aces) paced the attack while Maddie Homer (41 digs) and Megan MacDonald anchored the defense for the Tigers.
Golf
Foxboro, 91 @ Stoughton, 96 – Final (5 holes) – In a rain-shortened match, Foxboro pulled out a close win over Stoughton. Patrick Callahan and Louis Carangelo each shot 22 through the first five to lead the way for the Warriors and Mat Sullivan carded a 23. Stoughton’s Joe Rush and James Spector each shot 22 through five as well.
North Attleboro @ Dighton-Rehoboth, 3:00
Taunton, 179 @ King Philip, 154 – Final – King Philip closed out its regular season schedule with a non-league win over Taunton. Freshman Evan Regan fired a two-over par medalist round of 37 to lead the way for the Warriors. Senior Gavin Croke added a 38, Ethan Sullivan shot a 39, and Cameron Hasenfus finished with a 40.
Sophomore hitter Addison Shelton rises up for a swing against Canton. Attleboro had to come from behind in all four sets to pull out a 3-1 win. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
CANTON, Mass. – Coming off the program’s first win at perennial Hockomock power Canton and continuing one of the program’s best ever starts to a season, Attleboro coach Mary Katherine Runey was left with a feeling that her team still had another level to reach.
Attleboro trailed in all four sets of Tuesday night’s crossover clash at the Masciarelli Gym, including 18-12 in the first and 10-1 in the second, but managed to rally three times and take the match 3-1 (25-22, 25-21, 20-25, 25-22). Julia Leonardo was once again the standout for the Bombardiers, recording 27 kills to lead the attack.
“It’s a crucial win for us, but I know we can play better,” Runey explained. “It is really difficult to play these tough teams early in the week. It takes a mental mindset to step onto the court and be ready to play and we didn’t do that today.”
She added, “I am very happy. We have shown the mental toughness to come from behind, but we shouldn’t put ourselves in that position.”
Canton coach Pat Cawley has seen her young team overcome adversity through the opening month of the season and remain in playoff contention. She was proud of the way her team battled but admitted that they let slip a chance to upset the Kelley-Rex co-leaders.
“I’m really proud of the way we played,” she said. “We’ve had a tough year. We only have a couple of people who are back from last year and it’s taken us a while to get up to speed. I think that this was one of the best matches we’ve played but we just don’t have the fortitude to finish.”
The Bulldogs got off to a good start in the opening set, building a 13-7 lead. Attleboro was struggling early with its serve-receive and Canton took advantage. Liana Lamparelli and Fatima Sidibay (five blocks and five kills) combined for a big block in the middle and Kaitlin Bigham served an ace to help create a little separation. Leonardo (15 digs and three aces) quickly brought the Bombardiers back with a tip and back-to-back kills, including one that clipped the top of the net.
Canton quickly regained the upper hand through scrappy defense, keeping plays alive to give the hitters multiple chances to swing. A block by Jess Wright put the Bulldogs up 18-12 and forced a timeout. Attleboro showed its resiliency to fight back. Setter Natalie Brojek (43 assists and four aces) won a pair of service points to pull within three.
Leonardo smashed a shot down the line, Tigin Bombardier had a kill in the middle, and Leonardo had consecutive aces to pull the visitors into a 19-19 tie. Addison Shelton (10 kills) and Brianna Frissora (five kills) put Attleboro in front for the first time since it was 6-5. Wright twice got Canton back within one with good swings but Shelton closed out the first with a pair of kills, including the final one that officials ruled got a touch at the net.
Attleboro carried over no momentum from its first-set comeback. Canton jumped all over the Bombardiers in the second, winning the first eight points and leading 10-1. Libero Zoe Scibelli (14 digs and four aces) served up a pair of aces and Wright and Bigham got good points at the net. Freshman setter Erin Bigham (27 assists) looked comfortable getting the Bulldogs into their offense.
The visitors crept back into the set by going to a familiar strategy, feed the ball to Leonardo on the outside as often as possible. She had three kills and Bombardier had a block and a kill to get back within four. Sidibay followed with another block and then a nicely placed tip to extend the lead.
With libero Sadie Whitmarsh chasing down several shots on the back line and keeping plays alive, Attleboro again rallied. An ace from Julia Mondello cut the lead to one and Leonardo stepped up to fire in a winner that tied the set at 19 apiece. Following a kill from Sally Hoban, Leonardo answered with a hit off the block and an ace that clipped the top of the net. Ellie Shelton (seven kills) closed out the second with a big block for a point.
“That has been a game changer for us the balance that we can have in the front row,” Runey said. “That has really been what’s crucial for our offense. Yes, Julia is a power hitter, she knows where to put the ball at the right time, but it’s all about mixing it up. We’ve got to shift the momentum of the game.”
For the first time in the match, Attleboro actually took an early lead in the third, but it was short-lived. A pair of aces from Scibelli put the Bulldogs in front 12-6. After a long rally, Wright would find some room in the Attleboro defense with a well-placed tip and Hoban added another to make it 15-11. The duo combined for 22 kills and 16 digs.
Attleboro would not make it easy on the Bulldogs. Frissora’s tip cut the lead back down to just one but Sidibay came up with another clutch play in the middle. Hoban smashed a shot off the block for a point, Leonardo followed with a kill on the other side, and Sidibay watched her bump drop in to make it 19-17.
Bombardier’s block cut the lead to one again and gave Attleboro fans hope of a sweep, but Wright answered back with a kill. After Erin Bigham dropped a bump in for a point, Wright kept the match going for another set with a big swing.
The energy and momentum was definitely with the home side heading into the fourth and Canton jumped out, again, to an early lead. Hoban and Wright went back-to-back on the outside to make it 10-6 and Sidibay was able to fire a shot off the block for another point.
As usual, Attleboro came right back behind Leonardo. The sophomore fired in a shot from the back row and then added another on the outside. An ace from Ellie Shelton and a Leonardo kill that ended a long rally tied it at 13-13. Leonardo kept swinging for the Bombardiers, going down the line to put them up 17-14.
This time it was Canton that showed resiliency, as Scibelli’s ace dropped in to tie it at 18-18. Addison Shelton had a kill, followed by a Whitmarsh ace to put the Bombardiers up by two. An ace from Brojek extended the lead to 23-19.
“We missed some key serves in that fourth set, the tips we couldn’t dig, just the miscommunications down the end,” Cawley said. “I think it’s a lack of confidence. We’re getting there but I think we could’ve won that match.”
Wright got one back, but there was going to be no comeback and no fifth set, as Attleboro served out the win to remain in a first-place tie with Franklin and King Philip in the Kelley-Rex division.
“They show up the next play, we make the adjustments, and we’re ready to move on from it,” Runey said. “We’re really trying to focus on some mental toughness. Volleyball is a game of momentum, but we can control our mindset and that’s what we’re working on.”
Attleboro (12-1) will try to keep things rolling when it hosts Milford on Thursday. Canton (6-6) will try to avenge an earlier loss when it makes a first visit to Sharon’s new gym.
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.
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.
