Southwick’s Rylan Secovich (10) blasts one past Sci-Tech’s defense Wednesday. (MARC ST.ONGE/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
SOUTHWICK – Cirque du Soleil has nothing on the Southwick High School boys volleyball team.
Southwick took to its high-flying act once again Wednesday, soundly defeating Springfield High School of Science and Technology with a sweeping performance. The Rams won 25-10, 25-12, 25-21.
Rylan Secovich (2 digs, 1 ace, 1 assist, 14 kills), Grayson Poole (8 digs, 6 aces, 23 assists, 2 kills), Mason Imbriglio (23 digs, 1 ace, 2 assists, 1 kill), and Jace Turgeon (1 dig, 4 aces, 6 kills) led the way for Southwick.
“We play our hearts out,” Secovich said. “I play 110 percent in every single game. We’re still number one in the league so we have to keep it up, keep our hard work going.”
Sci-Tech made Southwick work hard early on. The Cybercats tied the Rams twice and even took a brief one-point lead, 6-5, but a soaring kill from Secovich soon broke a 6-6 tie that ensured his team would never trail again.
Southwick dominated the second set, opening with a 9-0 run. It was clear it was going to go the Rams way all afternoon because even when Secovich hit the top of his team’s side of the net with a hard spike, the ball rolled over onto the opponent’s side of the court and hit the floor for their ninth point.
In the third set, Sci-Tech managed to tie the game at 10-10 and 11-all, but Southwick never allowed the Cybercats to scrape together a lead again.
It was Southwick’s sixth win in seven contests this season. The Rams opened the 2021 season with five straight wins, including a five-set thriller over Holyoke, that helped them earn a No. 2 ranking in the state by MaxPreps.
“Historically we struggle against Holyoke,” Southwick boys volleyball head coach Kaitlyn Anthony said. “We came out strong … then made a lot of errors but woke up in sets four and five. It was a total momentum shift. …It was our communication and excitement.”
Southwick finally met its match Monday, losing to West Springfield in three straight sets. “We didn’t look too good in that one, but we tried,” Secovich said regarding the Rams loss to the Terriers.
Still, Southwick’s head coach said there was much to be gained in their only defeat of the season.
“I like to play (West Springfield) for the girls and boys so they get that idea of what it’s like to play a harder team. Those (type of games) will get us ready for the playoffs. Stronger, faster plays to get us ready.”
Southwick’s preparation had them poised to make a run in 2020, but then Covid struck and canceled the entire season. The Rams key setter and hitter, Nick Brown and Andy Brown, graduated, leaving the team with a void.
Another hurdle developed when the team’s expected setter for 2021 was lost for the season, but Poole stepped up and took on that new role to very positive results thus far.
The goal now is clear.
“Our girls were league champs in 2019. They didn’t have a season last year. Our boys were going to prep to become league champs last year. They didn’t have a season so no they’re amped to get it. I think that energy is what drove us (to this point).”
If that is true, the rest of Western Mass needs to steer clear of the green and yellow.
BASEBALL
Rams down Saints
Southwick 10, St. Mary’s 2
Southwick’s offense exploded for 10 runs with Jacob Garrity (2-for-4, 2 runs), Jack Sebastyn (1-for-3, 2 runs), and Nate Goodwin (2 RBIs) leading the way. Rams starting pitcher Cameron Degray gave up two runs over four innings, striking out four. Ryder Pieczarka pitched the final three innings, allowing no hits and striking out two.
St. Mary’s Colin Freeman went 2-for-4. Ty Leonard and Trevor Corriveau both scored a run for the Saints.
Orioles top Tigers
Belchertown 14, Westfield Technical Academy 8
Dacota Durkee (3-for-5, 5 RBIs, run scored), Josh Sturmer (3-4, RBI, 2 runs), Riley Sullivan (1-3, 2 runs), and Darin Towle (1-4, RBI) led the Westfield Tech offense. The Tigers committed five errors.
SOFTBALL
Saints rout Red Raiders
St. Mary’s 19, Commerce 7
St. Mary’s Anita Bialis finished a triple short of the cycle with a single, double, and a home run and four RBIs. Saints’ Lauren Campbell (single, two doubles, 3 RBIs), Audrey Burke (3 singles, RBI), Paige Hutkoski (single, double, RBI), and Anna Williams (single, RBI) also contributed offensively.
St. Mary’s used five pitchers against Commerce. The Saints turned also turned a triple play.
GIRLS TENNIS
Piziak, Seklecki propel Saints
St. Mary’s 4, Hampden Charter School of Science 1
St. Mary’s Brook Piziak won at second singles, 6-2, 6-0, and Catherine Seklecki won at third singles, 6-1, 6-0.
Hampden Charter forfeited doubles play due to lack of players.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Bessette’s six-goal outburst paces O’s
Belchertown 19, St. Mary’s 7
Belchertown broke open the game with six goals in the third quarter. Orioles’ Allison Bessette scored a game-high six goals and had one assist.
Katarzyna Wisnauckas finished with four goals for St. Mary’s. Saints’ Emma Archambault, Skylar Duda, and Summer Duda each had one goal. Ryleigh Fennessey chipped in with an assist.
2021 High School Spring Sports Standings
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Westfield 5-1
Southwick 6-1
BASEBALL
Westfield 3-1
Westfield Technical Academy 5-3
St. Mary’s 0-2
Southwick 3-2
SOFTBALL
Westfield 5-1
Westfield Technical Academy 2-4
St. Mary’s 5-1
Southwick 4-0
GIRLS LACROSSE
Westfield 4-1
St. Mary’s 4-3
BOYS LACROSSE
Westfield 3-2
St. Mary’s 3-2
WRESTLING
Westfield 1-0
GIRLS TENNIS
Westfield 2-1
St. Mary’s 4-1
BOYS TENNIS
Westfield 1-1
BOYS TRACK & FIELD
Westfield 3-0
Southwick 1-0
GIRLS TRACK & FIELD
Westfield 0-1
Wednesday’s Results
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Southwick 3, Sci-Tech 0
BASEBALL
Southwick 10, St. Mary’s 2
Belchertown 14, Westfield Technical Academy 8
GIRLS LACROSSE
Belchertown 19, St. Mary’s 7
SOFTBALL
St. Mary’s 19, Commerce 7
GIRLS TENNIS
St. Mary’s 4, Hampden Charter School of Science 1
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2021 High School Spring Sports Schedules
WESTFIELD
Thurs., May 27
GIRLS LACROSSE vs. South Hadley, 4 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL @ Saint John’s, 6 p.m.
WRESTLING vs. Longmeadow, 6 p.m.
Fri., May 28
BOYS LACROSSE @ Minnechaug, 4 p.m.
Mon., May 31
BOYS LACROSSE vs. Pope Francis, 4 p.m.
Tues., June 1
BASEBALL vs. West Springfield, Bullens Field, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS vs. Longmeadow, 4 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL @ West Springfield, 5 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE vs. Minnechaug, 5:30 p.m.
WRESTLING vs. Minnechaug, 6 p.m.
Wed., June 2
BASEBALL @ East Longmeadow, 4 p.m.
SOFTBALL vs. Hampshire, 4:30 p.m.
BOYS/GIRLS TRACK & FIELD @ Chicopee Comp, 4 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS @ Ludlow, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS vs. East Longmeadow, 3 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL vs. Chicopee Comp, 5:15 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE @ East Longmeadow, 7 p.m.
Thurs., June 3
GIRLS LACROSSE @ Agawam, 4 p.m.
Fri., June 4
No Sports Scheduled
Mon., June 7
BASEBALL vs. Amherst-Pelham, 4 p.m.
SOFTBALL vs. Agawam, 4:30 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS @ Chicopee Comp, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS vs. Pope Francis, 3 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL @ Ludlow, 5 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE @ Northampton, 6 p.m.
Tues., June 8
BASEBALL @ Minnechaug, 4 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE vs. Amherst-Pelham, 4 p.m.
BOYS/GIRLS TRACK & FIELD @ Holyoke, Roberts Sports Complex, 4 p.m.
WRESTLING @ East Longmeadow, 7 p.m.
Wed., June 9
SOFTBALL vs. Minnechaug, 4 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE @ Longmeadow, 4 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS @ Chicopee, Szot Park, 4 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL @ Minnechaug, 5 p.m.
Thurs., June 10
BASEBALL @ Longmeadow, Russell Field, 4 p.m.
SOFTBALL @ West Springfield, Mittineague Park, 4 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE vs. West Springfield, 4 p.m.
Fri., June 11
BOYS LACROSSE vs. South Hadley, 4 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS vs. Chicopee Comp, 4 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL vs. Agawam, 6:15 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE @ Amherst-Pelham, 4 p.m.
WRESTLING @ Agawam, 6 p.m.
Mon., June 14
BOYS LACROSSE vs. Agawam, 4 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE @ Northampton, Smith Vocational H.S., 4 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL vs. Milford, 5:15 p.m.
Tues., June 15
SOFTBALL @ Hampshire, 4 p.m.
—–
WESTFIELD TECHNICAL ACADEMY
Thurs., May 27
SOFTBALL vs. Gateway, Whitney Park, 4 p.m.
Fri., May 28
BASEBALL @ McCann Tech, 4 p.m.
Mon., May 31
No Sports Scheduled
Tues., June 1
BASEBALL @ Pathfinder, St. Joe’s, 4 p.m.
SOFTBALL @ Pathfinder, 4 p.m.
Wed., June 2
BASEBALL vs. Franklin Tech, Jachym Field, 4 p.m.
Thurs., June 3
No Sports Scheduled
Fri., June 4
No Sports Scheduled
Mon., June 7
BASEBALL vs. St. Mary’s, Bullens Field, 3:15 p.m.
Tues., June 8
BASEBALL @ Smith Vocational and Agricultural, 4 p.m.
SOFTBALL vs. Smith Vocational and Agricultural, Whitney Park, 4 p.m.
Wed., June 9
No Sports Scheduled
Thurs., June 10
No Sports Scheduled
—–
ST. MARY’S
Wed., May 26
BASEBALL @ Southwick, 4 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE vs. Belchertown, Boardman Field, 4:30 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS vs. Hampden Charter School of Science, Municipal Tennis Courts, 4 p.m.
SOFTBALL @ Commerce, Marshall Roy Field, 4 p.m.
Thurs., May 27
SOFTBALL @ Hampden Charter School of Science, 4 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE vs. Chicopee, Boardman Field, 4 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS vs. Greenfield, Municipal Tennis Courts, 4 p.m.
Fri., May 28
BASEBALL vs. Palmer, Westfield Intermediate School, 4 p.m.
Mon., May 31
No Sports Scheduled
Tues., June 1
BOYS TENNIS @ Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter, 4 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE @ Pope Francis, 4 p.m.
Wed., June 2
BOYS TENNIS vs. Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter, Municipal Tennis Courts, 4 p.m.
Tues., June 1
BASEBALL @ Monson, 4 p.m.
SOFTBALL @ Sci-Tech, Blunt Park (Diamond #5), 4 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE vs. Pathfinder, Boardman Field, 4 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE @ Pope Francis, 6 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS @ Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School, 4 p.m.
Wed., June 2
BASEBALL vs. Ware, Westfield Intermediate School, 4 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE vs. Central, Boardman Field, 4:30 p.m
Thurs., June 3
BASEBALL @ Granby, 4 p.m.
SOFTBALL vs. Renaissance, Sadie Knox, 4 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE vs. Central, Boardman Field, 4 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE vs. Monson, Boardman Field, 4:30 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS vs. Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Municipal Tennis Courts, 4 p.m.
Fri., June 4
No Sports Scheduled
Mon., June 7
BASEBALL @ Westfield Technical Academy, Bullens Field, 3:15 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE vs. Chicopee Comp, Boardman Field, 4:30 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS @ Palmer, 4 p.m.
Tues., June 8
BASEBALL @ Sabis, Nathan Bill, 4 p.m.
SOFTBALL vs. Commerce, Sadie Knox, 3:30 p.m.
BOYS TENNIS vs. Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School, Holyoke Canoe & Tennis Club, 4 p.m.
Wed., June 9
SOFTBALL vs. Monson, Sadie Knox, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS vs. Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter, Municipal Tennis Courts, 4 p.m.
Thurs., June 10
BASEBALL vs. Hampshire, Westfield Intermediate School, 4 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE @ Granby, 4 p.m.
Fri., June 11
BOYS LACROSSE vs. McCann Tech, Boardman Field, 4 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE @ Belchertown, 5 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS @ Sabis, Forest Park, 4 p.m.
BASEBALL vs. Ware, Westfield Intermediate School, 4 p.m.
Mon., June 14
BOYS LACROSSE @ McCann Tech, 4 p.m.
—–
SOUTHWICK REGIONAL
Thurs., May 27
No Sports Scheduled
Fri., May 28
BASEBALL @ Granby, 4 p.m.
SOFTBALL vs. Ware, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TRACK & FIELD vs. Belchertown, Richard Atkinson Track, 4 p.m.
Mon., May 31
No Sports Scheduled
Tues., June 1
BASEBALL vs. Ware, 4 p.m.
BOYS TRACK & FIELD @ Monson, Moriarty Field/Granite Valley School, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TRACK & FIELD vs. Monson, Richard Atkinson Track, 4 p.m.
Wed., June 2
BASEBALL @ Monson, 4 p.m.
SOFTBALL @ Granby, 4 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL vs. Ware, 5:15 p.m.
Thurs., June 3
No Sports Scheduled
Fri., June 4
BASEBALL vs. Palmer, 4 p.m.
SOFTBALL vs. Central, 4 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL vs. Commerce, 4 p.m.
Mon., June 7
BOYS VOLLEYBALL vs. Ware, 5:15 p.m.
SOFTBALL @ Hopkins Academy, 6 p.m.
Tues., June 8
BASEBALL @ Hampshire, 4 p.m.
Wed., June 9
SOFTBALL vs. Ware, 4 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL @ Holyoke, 5:15 p.m.
BOYS TRACK & FIELD vs. Palmer, Richard Atkinson Track, 4 p.m.
Thurs., June 10
BASEBALL vs. Sabis, 4 p.m.
Fri., June 11
BOYS VOLLEYBALL vs. Sabis, 6 p.m.
Tues., June 15
BOYS VOLLEYBALL vs. Athol, 5:15 p.m.
