New-look CHS volleyball squad earns season’s first win

Despite several new faces and limited varsity experience at key spots on the court, the CHS varsity volleyball team didn’t have to wait long to bank its first win of 2022.

Jess Wright, pictured in a 2021 match, is back to lead the Bulldogs this season. (Mike Tureski photo)

Opening on the road last week against longtime foe North Attleboro, the Bulldogs delivered a total-team effort en route to a straight-set victory (25-18, 28-26, 25-19).

Junior captains Jess Wright and Fatima Sidibay, the two returning starters from last year’s team, both had big games for the visitors with Wright producing a team-best 11 kills and Sidibay adding four kills and three blocks.

Sophomore Sally Hoban, playing in her first varsity match, also had a strong game offensively with eight kills and an ace while junior Kaitlin Bigham had a team-best four blocks in her first varsity start.

On defense, sophomore Zoe Scibelli, the team’s new libero, ran the defense well and tallied a team-high 14 digs to go along with a kill.

The Bulldogs also have two freshmen who are expected to have a major impact this season with Erin Bigham expected to see significant minutes at setter and Melanie McDonough slotted in as a key defensive player.

In their second match last Friday versus nonleague North Quincy, Bigham was a bright spot in an otherwise frustrating match and showed “amazing poise” in distributing the ball, according to head coach Pat Cawley.

Despite starting strong and taking the opening set, the Bulldogs did not have any answers for North Quincy in sets two and three as the visitors stormed back to take the lead.

“We fought back in set four,” said Cawley, “but after having two significant leads, we were unable to hold on and went down in four.”

Cawley said Wright was also outstanding in the loss as she finished with 14 kills, two aces and 10 digs. Senior captain Liana Lamparelli, who has stepped into a starting role at right-side hitter, also chipped in with some strong serving in the opening set win.

“We have many moving parts at this point,” said Cawley, “but the young, inexperienced group is willing to work hard and is anxious to learn. Three setters and several defensive players are vying for time on the court. The growth potential is exponential and it will be fun to watch the progression.”

“The extremely competitive Hock will help accelerate the learning curve,” she added. “We’ll take it one day at a time!”

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Posted by Jay Turner on Sep 16 2022. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.