Volleyball still unbeaten after huge road test
By Jay TurnerAfter earning solid victories last week against Hockomock large school opponents King Philip and Mansfield, the undefeated Canton High volleyball team took its talents to Notre Dame Academy in Hingham, where the Bulldogs made it 13 in a row with a thrilling 3-2 win over the vaunted Cougars.
Junior Avery Devoe (Mike Barucci photo)
For head coach Pat Cawley, Friday’s match against 10th ranked Notre Dame was more than just a tough test against a quality opponent; it was a chance to “show Massachusetts volleyball that Canton is for real.”
And that is precisely what the Bulldogs accomplished, as they overcame an electric crowd and a demoralizing set-four loss to win the fifth and deciding set 15-10.
It was only the second time all season that Canton was forced to play a fifth set, yet they handled it with confidence and poise, bolstered by the stellar play of senior Jackie Bornemann and junior Avery Devoe.
The two veteran starters combined for six kills in the set, while Bornemann added several critical service points and Devoe teamed with Julia Murphy in tallying multiple blocks.
Cawley described it as “quite a team effort,” and the same could be said of the opening three sets as Canton clawed its way to a 2-1 lead in front of a packed gym of NDA supporters — all clad in pink as part of Notre Dame’s “dig pink” breast cancer fundraiser.
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, made a statement of their own by sporting “Team Tara” shirts as a show of support for CHS alum and former teacher Tara Shuman.
The first three sets were as evenly matched as it gets, with Canton winning sets one and three by identical scores of 26-24 and Notre Dame taking set two 25-22.
“The intensity was amazing for a high school match,” said Cawley. “Every point counted and the players knew that.”
Set four proved to be a total letdown for the Bulldogs, who “never got going” in a 25-12 defeat. But they somehow kept their cool, and with the game on the line in set five, Canton’s stars shined brightest.
“They played with intensity and poise,” said Cawley after the win. “They showed mental toughness to come back in set five after being blown away in set four. The experiences gained this week should help us down the road in the tournament.”
The Bulldogs had so many valuable contributors in their signature win, starting with Bornemann, Devoe and Murphy. Alex Walsh also racked up several key kills, and Mellyn Costello stepped up with outstanding defense and serving. Others who came up big in key spots included Kaitlin Phillips, Lindsey Arthur, and Erin Proctor.
As impressive as Friday’s victory was, the girls also deserve credit for their earlier wins against King Philip (3-1) and Mansfield (3-0). Cawley was particularly pleased with the KP win, as it came against a resurgent Warriors squad that boasts two very good hitters and a strong defense.
Other than a close set-three loss, however, the Bulldogs outplayed their visitors and ended up winning rather easily (25-16, 25-19, 23-25, 25-13).
Murphy and Bornemann led the way with a combined 25 kills, while Phillips tallied a game-high 29 assists. Devoe and Kim Frazier also contributed offensively for the Bulldogs.
In the Mansfield game on Thursday, Canton played near-flawless volleyball through two sets before grinding out a win in set three. Devoe had one of her best performances of the season, finishing with eight kills, three aces and six blocks.
Now 13-0, the Bulldogs were due to host Milford on Monday, followed by back-to-back away matches at Oliver Ames on Wednesday and Sharon on Friday. They will then play two more matches next week before closing out the season at Medway — another tough nonleague opponent — on Tuesday, October 30.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=16851
Posted by Jay Turner
on Oct 18 2012. Filed under High School, Sports.
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