CONCORD – If the latest viewing of Westfield High School boys volleyball seems like a repeat, it’s because the Bombers are doing good things again.
The Western Massachusetts champion Westfield Bombers, winners of four straight Division 1 West Sectional titles, won their 22nd game in 23 tries this season with another sweeping victory to earn a return trip to the finals.
Westfield knocked off northern champ Chelmsford, 25-22, 25-18, 25-12 in the D1 state semis Monday at Concord-Carlisle High School. The Bombers advanced to the championship game to be played Thursday at Worcester State at 7 p.m.
Westfield’s Shane Kiendzior, left, smacks the ball just over the lip of the net against Chelmsford during the state Division 1 boys volleyball semifinals Monday night at Concord-Carlisle High School. (Photo by Chris Putz)
“Our guys earned their way back here for sure,” Westfield boys volleyball coach Tyler Wingate said.
Westfield came out and established early control, leading by as many as five points, 14-9. Chelmsford, who knocked off their region’s Nos. 1, 3 and 4 seeds, rallied though to the tie the game 14-all.
It remained a one-point game until Chelmsford managed to string together two in a row for a 22-20 advantage.
Staring at potentially losing the first set, Westfield fought back. The Bombers tied the set on a wicked serve from Shane Kiendzior that nearly seared a mark just inside the line that one would’ve thought they smelled burning rubber.
Westfield managed to reel off five straight points, including a set-clinching kill from Javier Santos that reverberated off the gymnasium walls, signaling a booming message that the Bombers had arrived.
“It was an emphatic end to that set,” Wingate said. “When it came down to it, that set put us on our way. …We took off from there.”
In the second set, Westfield built another early lead, going up 6-1. The two teams were tied a handful of times at 9-9, 12-12, and 13-13 before the Bombers pulled away.
In the third and final frame, Westfield soared to a 9-0 lead. Chelmsford looked deflated and fell easily.
