Westfield’s Tori Hosmer puts the ball over the Minnechaug blockers during the West Division 2 girls volleyball championship Saturday at West Springfield High School. (Photo by Bill Deren)
WEST SPRINGFIELD – It was a decades-long trip that, for the most part, was well worth the wait.
For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Westfield High School girls volleyball team was playing for a Western Massachusetts championship. The Bombers pushed the top-seeded Minnechaug Falcons to within one point of a fifth and decisive set before falling in four frames, 25-17, 25-15, 19-25, 26-24.
Minnechaug nearly swept Westfield, but the Bombers awoke from their slumber to nearly pull off an improbable comeback.
“To our credit, we stuck to it and we played a pretty good set three and four,” Westfield coach Tyler Wingate said. “We just weren’t quite good enough in the end.”
The two teams were tied nearly every step of the way in Game 4 with ties at 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 6-6, 7-7, 8-8, and 12-12 before Minnechaug went on a 7-0 run to take a 19-12 lead.
Westfield responded with a strong counter attack.
With Irelis Rodriguez (8 kills, 3 aces, 10 digs) serving, Westfield rallied for eight straight points. One of those included an ace to pull the Bombers within two points of a tie.
The teams were tied again at 20-all before Westfield reeled off four straight points with solid serves from Olivia Hadla (3 aces). Minnechaug mounted its mini-comeback of sorts though with six straight points and then stormed the court in celebration.
“It was a tough test for us, but I think we competed well,” coach Wingate said. “We’re obviously disappointed, but we’re happy with the season overall.”
Tetyana Shvyryd (9 kills, 14 digs), Tori Hosmer (5 kills, 2 blocks), Brigid Moriarty (20 assists, 2 aces), Madison Robitaille (2 kills, 10 digs, 2 blocks), and Stephanie Sgueglia (8 digs) delivered for the Bombers.
