THE LHS volleyball team will take a six-game winning streak into the Div. 3 state tournament. The Pioneers (12-6) are currently ranked No. 19 in D3. The brackets will be released on Wednesday. (Courtesy Photo)
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Lynnfield falls to Greater New Bedford 3-0 (Nov. 4)
Published October 30, 2024
LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield High volleyball team finished their regular season in style on Friday night, defeating Reading 3-2 in a thrilling match at LHS.
With that win, their sixth in a row, the Pioneers finished the regular season with an overall record of 12-6. Lynnfield was ranked No. 19 in the latest Div. 3 power rankings.
Lynnfield won the first two sets against Reading, 25-20 and 26-14 before the Rockets broke through with wins of 25-19 and 25-22 in sets three and four to force a fifth and final set. The Pioneers were ready for this one, finishing the win with a 15-10 final.
Erika Pasquale led the way with 14 kills, 3 aces and 10 digs. Chase Carangelo (11 kills, 22 digs) and Audrey Manning (10 kills, 2 aces, 17 digs, 21 assists) also reach double digits in kills.
Erin Higdon led the way from the service line with 7 aces. She also added 14 digs and 18 assists.
That victory was the icing on the cake of a terrific run by the Pioneers to finish the regular season. Their winning streak started on Oct. 10 against Hamilton-Wenham (3-0) and included victories over North Reading (3-1), Georgetown (3-0), Essex Tech (3-0) and Pentucket (3-1).
Pasquale and Carangelo, both seniors led Lynnfield’s attack in the regular season as they collected 193 and 181 respectively.
Carangelo also led the defense with 177 digs followed by Pasquale (170) and Manning (155), a sophomore.
Manning paced the team in assists (259) followed by Higdon (211).
Higdon, a senior, was the team leader in service aces with 71 followed by Manning (63) and Pasquale (46).
Junior Alexia Vacquerano was the lead in blocks with 52 followed by Manning (33) and senior Kacie Lilley (21).
Senior Kim Staffier led the team in serve receptions with 317 followed by Pasquale (313) and Carangelo (292).
The Pioneers have likely played their last match at LHS barring a drastic change in the seedings or an upset in the first round. The top 16 teams get to host a first round game. Lynnfield will likely hit the road for a first round matchup either this weekend or early next week.
If their ranking of No. 19 holds, Lynnfield would play at No. 14, which right now is Lynn Classical. Other teams in this range include Greater New Bedford and Tewksbury.
