LHS volleyball team can’t overcome six-time champ Frontier
Published in the November 24, 2015 edition
THE VOLLEYBALL TEAM displays the Division 3 state finalist trophy after falling 3-0 to six-time state champion Frontier in the Division 3 state finals at Fitchburg High School Nov. 21. Back row, from left, Elena Kotler, Jessica Badger, senior captain Jessica Dwyer, Shannon Ryan, Jessica Morelli, senior captain Mary Kate Deighan, Kaitlin Flannery, Emory Caswell, Laura Mucci and Katie Nugent. Front row, from left, Ali McPherson, Maxine Boyle, Cameron Foley, Rebecca Albenese and Olivia Pascucci. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
FITCHBURG — The volleyball team’s magical season came to a close on Nov. 21, when the Pioneers fell 3-0 to six-time state champion Frontier Regional in the Division 3 state finals at Fitchburg High School.
“This was an amazing season,” said Pioneers head coach Michelle Perrone. “We did things people didn’t expect us to do and I couldn’t be prouder of the group of girls that I have.”
Senior captain Mary Kate Deighan agreed.
“Even though we fell a little bit short, I am so proud of every single girl on my team,” said Deighan. “We worked so hard.”
Senior captain Jess Dwyer concurred with Perrone and Deighan’s sentiment.
“Everyone really left it out there on the court,” said Dwyer. “You are going to have your good days and bad days. I am so proud of my team. I wouldn’t trade my teammates for the world.”
Frontier, from South Deerfield, took an early 5-3 lead in the first set. The Red Hawks increased its lead to 9-4, prompting Perrone to call a timeout to regroup.
The Red Hawks took a 14-6 lead when the Pioneers began rallying. Led by senior Shannon Ryan and junior Rebecca Albanese, Lynnfield chipped away at Frontier’s lead and cut the deficit to five, 15-10, halfway through the first set.
Lynnfield continued rallying and trailed Frontier 20-15. The Red Hawks went on a 5-3 run down the stretch to win the first set 25-18.
The Pioneers jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the beginning of the second set. The locals had a 17-12 lead when Frontier came roaring back. Led by senior Sarah Corey, the Red Hawks went on a 6-0 run to take an 18-17 lead.
Frontier continued pulling away, as the Red Hawks outscored the Pioneers 7-3 to secure a 25-20 second set victory.
The Red Hawks took control of the beginning of the third set and had an 8-4 lead when Dwyer started serving. The Pioneers went on an 8-4 run to tie the set at 12, prompting Red Hawks head coach Sean MacDonald to call a timeout.
The Pioneers and Red Hawks exchanged leads briefly until Frontier went on a 3-0 run to take an 18-15 lead, prompting Perrone to call a timeout. After the timeout, junior Olivia Pascucci started serving and helped the Pioneers go on a 4-0 run to take a 19-18 lead.
Unfazed, Frontier went on a 4-0 run of its own to take a 22-19 lead, forcing Lynnfield to call another timeout.
Despite the “here we go Lynnfield” chant from a number of Lynnfield fans in attendance, the Red Hawks went on a 3-1 run down the stretch to win the third set 25-20 and their sixth straight state title.
Junior Katie Nugent led the Pioneers with 10 kills, one dig and one ace. Ryan finished with 10 assists and nine digs. Dwyer had 11 digs. Albanese had nine digs. Pascucci had five digs and two kills. Deighan had three kills. Senior Jessica Morelli had six assists, one kill and one dig.
Perrone praised her squad’s performance against Frontier.
“It’s a team effort to make it this far,” said Perrone. “There is not one superstar on this team, it’s a group of kids working together to accomplish a goal and we did that.”
The Pioneers’ state finals loss to Frontier was a rematch of the 2014 Division 3 state semifinals, which the Red Hawks prevailed 3-2. Lynnfield fell 3-0 to Frontier in the 2012 state finals.
“They are an amazing team,” Dwyer said of Frontier. “That is why they are six-time state champs. I give them all of the props in the world.”
Perrone agreed.
“Frontier are six-time state champs for a reason,” said Perrone. “They are well coached, conditioned and play hard just like we do.”
“Frontier is a very strong team and always have been,” added Deighan. “We tried to keep our momentum and keep the ball on our side of the court, but we weren’t always able to do that.”
The Pioneers, which won their sixth Division 3 North sectional title this fall, concluded the 2015 season with an overall record of 16-8.
“Not only are my girls great volleyball players, they are great people,” said Perrone. “To know them on the court is one thing, but to know them off the court is a completely different thing. I would be proud to call them my daughter, my sister or my friends. They are fantastic kids.”
The Pioneers will be saying goodbye to five seniors this fall: Deighan, Dwyer, Ryan, Morelli and Kaitlin Flannery.
“My seniors are great,” said Perrone. “It’s a coaches blessing to have the five seniors that I have and seeing them come this far. I can’t speak more highly of them.”
While Deighan said the five seniors were disappointed in the outcome of the state finals, she said they have a number of different reasons to be proud of their final season together.
“We are best friends on the court and off the court,” said Deighan. “It’s hard, but I am really happy to have been a part of an amazing program and play for amazing coaches, especially Ms. Perrone. We call her mom. We are incredibly lucky to have the opportunity we have had.”
