Southwick’s Jack Lebo (right) attempts to elevate high above the Athol defense in Thursday’s Western Massachusetts Division 1 high school boys’ volleyball tournament opener. (Photo by Chris Putz)
ATHOL – The Southwick High School boys’ volleyball team left its imprint in the postseason, a feat that will likely not go forgotten for some time.
After a slow start, No. 12 Southwick pushed fifth-seeded Athol to the brink in the third set of a West Division 1 tournament opener on the road Thursday before running out of steam and falling, 12-25, 9-25, 21-25.
“It’s always a little challenging in the spring with seniors anticipating graduation,” Southwick coach Kaitlyn Anthony said. “We tried to motivate their minds of finishing. I’m very proud of what they accomplished.”
For the Southwick boys’ volleyball team, it was their first postseason appearance in school history. The Rams (7-6) first became a varsity club two years ago, and the team has only been in existence for three years.
The first tournament game jitters showed in the first two sets as Athol set the tone with some booming serves and killer spikes. The intensity appeared tough to match. The Red Raiders trailed just briefly at the outset early 3-2 before capturing a 25-12 win. They were even more efficient in the middle frame, opening with a 4-0 advantage, and cruising from there.
Athol senior Tyler Lajoie (10 kills, five blocks, five aces, 15 assists) made a dent in the Southwick armor at the net, and with his serves.
The Southwick boys’ volleyball program – unwilling to just pack its bags and go quietly – matured in the third set.
Tim Giancola’s first two serves forced Athol to dig itself an early 0-2 hole, with Red Raiders stepping out-of-bounds and hitting the net on two consecutive serves.
Athol rallied to tie the game the set, 2-2. Southwick, playing with renewed energy and the support of its crowd, built a 5-2 lead. Jake Prewett’s block and Jack Lebo’s well-placed kill were unmatched.
After a marathon volley, Athol briefly flirted with the momentum. Southwick responded, though, taking an 8-4 lead. The Red Raiders rallied to it, 8-all.
The first of two borderline calls went Athol’s way, resulting in the home team regaining the lead 9-8 when a ball, which appeared to just sail past the opposition’s end line, was ruled “in”. The Red Raiders quickly went up by two, 10-8.
Southwick rallied to force a 10-10 tie.
Both teams would tie again at 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, and 19 before Athol scored the last few points to win.
Southwick’s six seniors looked to do all they could to try and overcome Athol on the Red Raiders’ home court – Giancola (9 assists), Ryan Todesco (2 blocks, 3 kills), Jack Lebo (4 kills), Dylan Buscemi (6 digs), Prewett (2 kills, 1 block), and Declan O’Donnell (3 kills, 6 digs) – but, in the end, the Red Raiders prevailed.
Athol will move on to face fourth-seeded West Springfield (13-5) in the quarterfinals May 31. The winner of that contest will likely take on the tournament’s top seed, the defending champion Westfield Bombers (15-3), who will need to survive a quarterfinal round match against No. 8 East Longmeadow (10-8) or No. 9 Holyoke (12-6), who squared off late Thursday evening.
Westfield’s quarterfinal round matchup will take place May 31 at home, beginning at 7 p.m.
BASEBALL
Tourney time for Tigers
Westfield Technical Academy 4, Smith Voke 1
Westfield Tech punched its tournament ticket with a win Thursday.
Andrew Daniels and Nick Clegg split the pitching duties with Daniels getting the win and Clegg picking up the save.
Clegg had a big hit in the fifth inning as well, picking up a lead-off triple. Brad Alvord followed with a walk, and Skyler Bishop and Nate Boulay had consecutive RBI base knocks to cap off a three-run fifth to take a 4-1 lead.
Cody Garwacki, Elliot Avery, and Case Bradley all made numerous defensive plays.
“We had an up and down year because of numerous injuries,” Westfield Tech coach Kyle Dulude said. “(We) never had the same line-up in consecutive games. (It) shows (that) players played through adversity and I think it will help come down the stretch and into the tournament because everyone has playing experience. I’m happy for our guys to reach their goals of qualifying for tournament.”
Red Raiders hold off hard-charging Saints
Hampshire 8, St. Mary 7
St. Mary rallied from a five-run deficit, but fell just short. Jake Butler (2-for-4, two runs scored), Shaun Gezotis (hit, walk, three runs), Matt Hannoush (hit, two walks, run, two RBIs), Matt Masciadrelli (hit, two RBIs), and H Authier (double, three RBIs) led the offense.
BOYS’ TENNIS
Saints win thriller
St. Mary 3, Mount Everett 2
Patrick Boyle won at second singles, 7-5, 6-1; Garrett Almeida and Sean Berube won at first doubles, 6-3, 6-3; Joe Wilcox and Matt Bruno won at second doubles, 6-4, 6-3; and, St. Mary edged Mount Everett in one of the Saints’ best matches of the season.
“St. Mary … continued improvement, positive outlook, and great sportsmanship to overcome the Mount Everett team,” Saints’ coach George Hart said.
