Surging CHS volleyball readies for MIAA Div. 2 playoffs
By Jay Turner
The Bulldogs closed out the regular season on a six-match winning streak. (Mike Tureski photo)
Update: The CHS volleyball team comfortably defeated Foxboro Thursday night but fell just short in the division title chase as Oliver Ames topped North Attleboro in straight sets. The Bulldogs ended the regular season on a six-match winning streak and will head to the playoffs with a record of 14-6.
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With a victory Thursday night in Foxboro combined with an Oliver Ames loss to North Attleboro, the Canton High girls volleyball team will have earned themselves a share of the Davenport Division title for a fourth consecutive season.
Despite a brand-new starting lineup and an always formidable league schedule, the Bulldogs came into this week just one match behind the Tigers with a record of 9-5 (11-6 overall). The Canton girls subsequently dispatched Sharon while OA defeated Foxboro on the same night to maintain its slim lead.
Although winless in two tries against the Tigers this season, the Bulldogs are 10-3 against all other Hockomock opponents and have won four matches in a row and six of their last seven.
Last week, the team went on the road to Stoughton and North Attleboro and prevailed against both opponents in straight sets. The Rocketeers in particular have had a solid season and are likely headed to the postseason, but they were no match for the visiting Bulldogs, who overcame an opening-set battle (26-24) to win the next two handily, 25-10, 25-20.
Offensively, Canton spread the kills and blocks around while senior setter Taylor Reynolds dished out 30 assists to go along with two aces and two kills. Senior libero Anna Verille also had a strong performance for the Bulldogs, anchoring the defense with 19 digs.
Two days prior at last-place Stoughton, Canton used a total-team effort to knock off the Black Knights 25-13, 25-13, 25-14. Jess Wright posted a team-high 13 kills plus three aces, and Amaiah Christian, Fatima Sidibay and Katie Dever combined for 11 kills and two blocks. Freshman Sally Hoban picked up a trio of aces and was perfect in her serving debut, while Kelly MacDonald, Ella Lewis, Zoe Scibelli and Jess Vo all contributed in the backcourt.
The two wins last week followed an earlier road victory against nonleague Fontbonne Academy in which the Bulldogs recovered nicely from a close set-one defeat, winning the next three convincingly (25-15, 25-19, 25-15). Notable performers in the match included Talya DeGraw (6 kills, 27 digs), Katie Dever (4 kills, 2 blocks), and Kelly MacDonald played strong in the backcourt and served well.
Following their final two regular season matches this week, Canton will then turn its attention to the Division 2 playoffs, which will be seeded according to the MIAA’s new power ranking system. The Bulldogs as of Monday were ranked 12th overall while division rival Oliver Ames came in at No. 10. Both squads are behind fellow Hockomock power King Philip, which has a No. 4 ranking and currently lead the Kelley-Rex Division with a perfect 15-0 record.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=77827
Posted by Jay Turner
on Oct 30 2021. Filed under High School, Sports.
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