Sports

WHS begins title defense, again

WESTFIELD – If Tuesday night’s high school boys’ volleyball season opener is any indication, the two-time defending champion Westfield Bombers are well on their way to a three-peat.
The tournament may be a long ways away, but Westfield appeared to be in midseason form with a solid showing against Agawam. The Bombers swept the Brownies, 25-19, 25-13, 25-20.
“It helps having a lot of experience,” said Westfield coach Tyler Wingate, whose team returns a wealth of seasoned players. “Going back-to-back for the last year gives us a solid base to go off of. Now, at the beginning of the season, it looks a little cleaner and just more organized.”
Both teams appeared to feed off a somewhat electric atmosphere, usually reserved for games in late May or June.

Westfield’s front line gave Agawam more than it could handle, especially with blocks like these Tuesday. (Photo by Bill Deren)

“There was definitely a late season atmosphere feel to it,” said coach Wingate, whose team drew raucous applause from a healthy crowd of fans from the public and the school’s student body. “We have a lot of respect for (Agawam). It’s definitely a team we will see again.”
Westfield (1-0) established an early lead with Eddie Loboda (14 kills, 11 digs) stamping a couple of postage marks on Agawam’s side of the court with some wicked overhead spikes. Consecutive kills from Shane Kiendzior and Scott Walsh (29 assists, 5 digs), and a fumbled return hit from Agawam secured Westfield’s opening round game.
Westfield dominated the middle frame, opening with a 7-1 run behind some solid serves from Walsh. Walsh landed an ace for the team’s fifth point. Various teammates stepped up to notch big plays, and the whole team converged for a block on the last point of the set.
Agawam attempted to ride a surge of emotion emanating from its bench, coaching staff, and fans, but fell just short. The Brownies fell behind in the final set as they were plagued with service errors before rallying late.
Noah Kappel delivered an ace, powering a serve down the near sideline, to put Westfield out front in the third set, 7-2, before pounding viscous kills over and over and over again to help build a seven-point lead for the Bombers.
Kappel hammered two more kills late in the set, including the game-winner.
“I’m thinking this was a really good result for tonight,” Wingate said.
Tyler Stanton finished with 16 digs for Westfield.

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