Warriors post third victory of the season
THE WMHS girls’ volleyball team raised close to $1,000 for the Ronan Thompson Foundation in the Be Bold, Go Gold event which was held on Sept. 30 in its match against Melrose. The WMHS Dance Team also performed in the event. Wakefield was also part of Wilmington’s Dig Pink fundraiser for breast cancer awareness on Wednesday night at the Wilmington Middle School. The Warriors won the match, 3-2.
WILMINGTON — The one thing about playing a team twice is that you can split the season series. The Wakefield Memorial High girls’ volleyball team experienced both sides of a split decision this week.
After losing to Woburn by a 3-0 score in the rematch on Monday afternoon at the Charbonneau Field House, the Warriors rebounded with a 3-2 triumph over Wilmington in the second meeting of the season against the Wildcats which was on Wednesday afternoon at the Wilmington Middle School.
Wakefield is now 3-14 overall and 2-12 in the Middlesex League Freedom division.
Wilmington Match
The Warriors staged a tremendous rally against the Wildcats on Wednesday as they rallied from an 0-2 deficit for their third victory of the season
The Warriors lost the first set which was a battle by a 27-25 score. The second set was all Wilmington as the Wildcats prevailed 25-5 to put Wakefield in an 0-2 hole.
But Wakefield didn’t quit and rallied to win two hard fought sets by the same 26-24 score to set up a rubber set. Wakefield won the tiebreaker set, 17-15, to win the contest.
“This was an amazing match full of energy. First, it was the annual Dig Pink event in Wilmington to raise money and awareness for breast cancer,” said Coach Nicole Trudeau. “There was a beautiful tribute to some of the moms who are survivors before the match. When every set of a match goes into extra points, it means both teams were leaving everything on the court — it’s a great kind of game to play, coach and watch.”
The second set was a mental train wreck for Wakefield but the Warriors girls took it lightly and pushed ahead. There was a calm confidence on the court that Wakefield has working toward for two years now. Every player on the team played with complete selflessness and it showed.
Liz Germino was everywhere on defense. Julia Purcell stepped up again making smart decisions with her assists and offensive attacks against Wilmington.
Wakefield was passing a little to tightly to the net off the back line but made the proper adjustments and it paid off. Abby Badgett came in to play middle and had some great blocks and kills. Julia Cleary and Emma Butler continued to hammer away on offense making it hard for Wilmington to return the ball.
In the third set, the Warriors were down 23-19 and Emma Butler went on a serving streak that ultimately resulted in a run for the Warriors. She was in the same extra point position in the fourth set and delivered again.
“I have been talking about looking for small victories within each point for two years and it finally connected last night (Wednesday hight). This was the perfect way to set us up for success for our final three matches for the season.” said Trudeau. “We play Melrose for their Senior Night tomorrow night. I hope people can make it to that game, because I think you will see a much different Warrior volleyball team who finally believes they are the players we have known they could be all along. (I’m) So proud.”
Woburn Match
After defeating the Tanners 3-2 in the season opener at Woburn, the Warriors were unable to come away with the sweep as they were shut out by Woburn, 3-0, on Monday at the Charbonneau Field House.
“This was a tough loss for us since we beat them the first time we played them this year,” said Trudeau. “Woburn came in ready to play with fire in their eyes and they got the job done. We had some really great plays and moments of looking like the team we are but we let them get in our heads and eventually shut down.”
Trudeau was impressed to see Sarrah Chouiakh and Germino leading the defense with great plays, never giving up on the ball. Purcell continued in her new role as setter and stayed calm under the pressure.
After the game, the Warrior players all agreed it’s hard to take a loss like that knowing they are the better team and that they didn’t show up as they wanted to.
Wakefield plays Melrose tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Melrose High School.
