Volleyball team takes big step forward, another step back

Just as the CHS volleyball team was beginning to find its groove after battling inconsistency through the early part of the season, the Mansfield Hornets came to town Friday and spoiled the party, handing Canton its third loss of the season and second against teams in the Hockomock’s large school division.

Although the 3-1 loss was not due to a lack of effort, head coach Pat Cawley said the Bulldogs’ “inexperience and lack of confidence showed loud and clear,” as evidenced by the team’s 15 missed serves and numerous mental mistakes.

There were times on Friday when the Bulldogs played like the better team, most notably during set two, which they won convincingly 25-17. However, the Hornets, who had taken the first set 25-19, responded with back-to-back wins (25-17, 25-23) to take the match.

Canton was led by junior middle hitter Julia Murphy, who played well on offense and defense and finished with seven kills, one ace, seven blocks, and 20 digs. Other notable performers included sophomore libero Mellyn Costello and junior setter Shannon Brady, who distributed the ball well all match, finishing with 23 assists.

“We were pretty evenly matched with [the Hornets], but their poise won out in the end,” remarked Cawley after the loss. “The good news is that this is a marathon and not a sprint and we have many miles to go.”

Cawley, of course, had other reasons to be encouraged as she had recently watched her Bulldogs make quick work of King Philip in a 3-0 shutout last Wednesday — the team’s first three-set sweep of the season.

It was also the team’s most complete performance of the year — a “total team effort” in which all 16 players contributed.

Costello and senior Anna Amico anchored a stingy Bulldog defense, and on offense 11 players chipped in with kills, including seniors Anjali Schutt, Katie Ruhl, and Margaret Amann, while setters Brady and Kaitlin Phillips both played well.

The team also responded well to adversity, storming back from a 17-12 deficit in set two, sparked by timely kills from Amann and Schutt.

The Bulldogs went on to win that set 25-23. They won the other two sets handily, both by a score of 25-19.

Canton (5-3) was scheduled to play three matches this week, beginning with a road match against divisional opponent Oliver Ames on Tuesday. The team hosts another divisional foe in Stoughton this afternoon and then closes out the week with a home match against non-league Quincy tomorrow at 5:15 p.m.

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=2278

Posted by Jay Turner on Oct 14 2010. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.