Canton High volleyball makes run to D2 sectional finals

Canton battles Groton-Dunstable in the central sectional championship game. (Photo courtesy of Ed Amico)

An unforgettable 2018 CHS volleyball season ended in heartbreak for the Bulldogs on Saturday with a five-set loss to a talented and gritty Groton-Dunstable team in the Division 2 central sectional championship game at Wellesley High School.

Seeded first overall and coming off an exciting semifinal win over No. 5 Medway a few days prior, Canton started strong and at one point appeared to be headed for its first sectional title since 2012 after winning two of the first three sets and taking a slim lead late in a potential clinching fourth set, 17-16. But the second-seeded Crusaders refused to back down and would ultimately steal the momentum and the match, reeling off nine of the final 11 points in set four before seizing control down the stretch in set five (15-7).

With the victory, Groton-Dunstable will now move on to the Division 2 state semifinals while the Bulldogs finish their season at 19-3 overall.

Although disappointed that her team would not be advancing, head coach Pat Cawley thought the Canton girls “played strong and remained focused” throughout the match against an opponent that is among the very best in the state — as evidenced by their 20-2 record and No. 1 ranking by MaxPreps among D2 schools.

“It was a great match, and one that was within our reach,” said Cawley. “But in the end we just couldn’t put it away. The entire team played spirited and together.”

While the Bulldogs made a few costly errors that helped fuel the Crusaders’ momentum late in the match, for the most part they executed at a high level and did not seem fazed by the pressure of the big stage. Among the top performers was junior outside hitter Taylor Harris, who punctuated her breakout season with a team-best 17 kills to go along with 18 digs. Senior setter Nicole Brown also had a big day for the Bulldogs with 35 assists and 12 digs while senior Erin Devine chipped in with six kills and five blocks.

On defense, stalwarts Megan McDonough, Julia Minichiello and Olivia Chinsen all played well, combining for 44 digs. Canton also played strong at the net with key plays turned in by Devine, Bailey Shea, and Liz Bickett. Other key contributors included Theresa O’Brien, Rose Hazam, and Nyah Claiborne.

In addition to playing well in the finals against Groton-Dunstable, the Bulldogs also turned in an impressive collective effort against a tough Medway team last Wednesday. Despite earning the top overall seed, Canton had to travel to Medway for the match after the MIAA selected the Mustangs’ home gym as the “neutral” site for the semifinal round. The Bulldogs would go on to lose the opening set 25-21, but they battled back to win the next three — 25-23, 25-19, 25-9.

Devine and Harris were both outstanding in the win for Canton, combining for 32 kills and 11 blocks in what Cawley said was arguably both girls’ best match of the season. Shea also contributed in the blocking game, which helped to neutralize Medway’s best outside hitter. The defense played great behind McDonough, Minichiello, Chinsen and Harris, while Brown came through with another stellar all-around performance, finishing with 28 assists, 11 digs and six kills. Several others stepped up in the win as well, including Claiborne, Hazam, O’Brien, and Angie Elias, who chipped in off the bench with a few kills and a block.

“It was a great team effort on the road against a very good team,” Cawley said of the Medway win.

All in all, the veteran coach said she was thrilled with what the team accomplished this season — including a stellar won-loss record, a Hockomock Davenport championship, and a spirited run to the sectional finals after missing the postseason altogether last year.

“Those on the court and off the court contributed to this unbelievable season,” she said. “I could not be prouder of these girls, especially the 10 seniors. Hard work got us to the sectional final. This was a total team effort.”

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