Bombers’ C.J. McMahon (5) attempts to slice through Agawam. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WESTFIELD – For the second straight day, the Westfield High School boys’ volleyball team pushed one of Western Massachusetts best only to run out of steam.
Agawam remained unbeaten (11-0) with a rousing 25-22, 25-14, 27-25, 25-20 victory against equally impressive Westfield in the Whip City Tuesday evening. It was only the second loss of the season for the Bombers, who fell to Ludlow in the Lions’ den Monday.
“I’m happy with what I saw … except for just the decision-making in certain points,” Westfield coach Tyler Wingate said of the tough two-day stretch. “But that will come with experience. As the season goes on we will continue to learn from it and get better going forward.”
On Monday against Ludlow, Westfield failed to back down. The Bombers employed the same philosophy throughout Tuesday’s match against equally talented Agawam. The Lions only loss came at the hands of the Brownies.
Both teams flirted with a miniscule lead in Game 1 inside the Bombers’ gymnasium Tuesday before Agawam pulled away late. In the second game, the Brownies displayed their range and athleticism, making diving digs and leaping to a double-digit victory.
Westfield rallied from a 24-20 deficit in Game 3, scoring five straight points on the steady serves of #5 and taking the lead when Ian Wolski delivered a blistering kill (one of 17 on the night). Agawam recaptured the lead, 26-25, before Wolski’s kill tied the game at 26-26. The two teams were deadlocked at 27-all before the Bombers scored two points for the victory, securing the captivating game with Wolski’s block.
The fourth game featured six ties as both teams were knotted as late as 18-18. Agawam managed to score seven of the game’s final nine points to secure the game and the match.
“It just came down to a couple of plays in the end,” coach Wingate said. “We hung right in there with them. That’s a really good team on that side of the net. I’m proud of how we responded in the third set with our backs to the wall. We even clawed back in that fourth set.”
Andy Jacques (25 assists), C.J. McMahon (5 kills, 5 digs), and Eric Shilyuk (15 digs) led Westfield. Agawam’s Josh Jacques had 23 digs, Bailey Cecchi landed 15 kills, and Zach Goggin collected 29 assists.
