Volleyball makes early statement with back-to-back W’s
By Jay Turner
CHS volleyball players celebrate a point in Friday’s home opener. (Michelle Stark photo)
Another fall season is underway, and the arrow is once again pointing up for the Canton High girls volleyball team, which entered play this week at 2-0 after impressive victories over Attleboro and Mansfield.
One of the most consistently dominant programs in eastern Massachusetts over the past decade, the lady Bulldogs began the season with several new starters, and yet they have already passed their first big test with Friday’s 3-2 home win over the Hornets, the reigning Kelley-Rex Division champions.
After dropping two of the first three sets — including a demoralizing 25-12 defeat in set three — the Canton girls regained their composure and went on to take the final two sets, 25-22 and 15-9.
Leading the way for the hosts was junior outside hitter and first-year player Hannah Jerrier, who finished with a team-high 12 kills and punctuated the comeback with a kill, a block, and another kill to close out set five.
Senior setter Nicole Poole, who was outstanding in the team’s season-opening road win over Attleboro, had another strong outing with 32 assists, and fellow senior Emma Murphy was a force at the net as she racked up nine blocks. Seniors Erika Lum and Cassie Loftus also chipped in on offense with a combined 13 kills, while classmates Maria Mackie and Emily Lynch both played well defensively.
While it wasn’t the cleanest of victories, veteran head coach Pat Cawley said she was nonetheless pleased with her team’s performance, calling it a “hard-fought, scrappy win.”
The earlier victory over Attleboro, on the other hand, was far more one-sided as the Bulldogs prevailed in straight sets 25-17, 25-16 and 25-12.
Poole turned in an excellent all-around performance, finishing with 27 assists, five kills and five aces, and Murphy and Casey Shea added six kills apiece. Jerrier produced five kills of her own in her high school volleyball debut, while senior libero Julia Panico had a strong game defensively and a team-high 21 digs.
After a tough away match this Wednesday against King Philip Regional, the Bulldogs will prepare for a busy week ahead with three matches in five days: Monday versus Davenport Division newcomer North Attleboro, Wednesday at Milford, and Friday at home against Sharon.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=34305
Posted by Jay Turner
on Sep 16 2016. Filed under High School, Sports.
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