Big opening week for CHS volleyball team
By Jay Turner
The defending Davenport Division champs are 2-0 and look poised for another big season. (Mike Barucci photo)
Coming off another outstanding season capped off by a run to the central sectional finals, the Canton High varsity volleyball team wasted little time in reestablishing its dominance in 2014, opening the season with back-to-back wins over North Attleboro and Duxbury.
Friday’s 3-2 victory at Duxbury was particularly impressive as it came against another reigning sectional finalist. The Dragons, in fact, were undefeated last season until they lost to regional powerhouse Notre Dame Academy in the Division 2 south finals.
In last week’s showdown, the Bulldogs found themselves down two sets to none before storming back to take the final three sets and steal the match.
In the third set, Canton relied on its excellent defense — including tough blocking and strong serving — to win a close one 25-22.
The Bulldogs finally found their offensive groove in set four as they built a 17-12 lead behind the strong hitting of junior captain Elizabeth Hamilton, senior Chidera Nwankwo, and junior Olivia Devoe. The Dragons then rallied back to tie it at 19-19, but Canton kept battling and held on for the 28-26 win, highlighted by two powerful kills from Hamilton.
With momentum on their side, the Bulldogs seized control in the fifth and deciding set, led by Nwankwo, Hamilton, and sophomore Emma Murphy. Senior setter and team captain Erin Proctor also came up big in the set and was outstanding all night, according to head coach Pat Cawley.
After the match, Cawley raved about the resilience of her squad and noted the importance of a big comeback win against a team like Duxbury.
“Although it’s early in the season, this was playoff-caliber volleyball, and coming back from two down against such a strong team will pay dividends in the end,” she said. “I’m so proud of the way my team kept their composure and worked through aggression. They showed they are a team to be watched.”
In other action last week, the Bulldogs welcomed North Attleboro to town for their season opener and came away with a straight-set victory (25-20, 25-17, 25-22).
Once again, the defense carried the play early on until the offense heated up. Canton also served flawlessly throughout the opening set, finishing with five aces.
Proctor was the star of the match as she finished with seven kills and two aces while handing out 22 assists. Fellow senior captain and starting libero Danielle Arthur was a rock on defense and finished with 18 digs for the match.
This week, the Bulldogs were due to host Mansfield on Monday and King Philip on Wednesday. Tomorrow they travel to Foxboro, followed by home matches next week against Oliver Ames and Milford.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=26744
Posted by Jay Turner
on Sep 11 2014. Filed under High School, Sports.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
