LHS spikers win fifth straight D-3 North championship

By DAN TOMASELLO

WOBURN — The volleyball team won its fifth straight Division 3 North sectional championship after the third seeded Pioneers defeated number one seed Notre Dame 3-0 at Woburn Memorial High School on Saturday, Nov. 8.

“The girls set this goal at the very beginning of the season,” said Pioneers head coach Michelle Perrone. “They wanted to carry on the tradition of winning the North championship and they did. This is now five in a row for us, which I am not sure any other school has done. We are very proud and very pleased with our accomplishment.”

The Pioneers’ quest for a fifth consecutive Division 3 North sectional championship was a question mark heading into the season as Perrone said the program was “rebuilding” this season. She attributed the Pioneers’ success this fall to the team’s work ethic, particularly the underclassmen.

“The younger kids have stepped up this year, particularly the sophomores,” said Perrone. “I have never had a group that has put forth so much effort. There was never a day at practice where they didn’t want to be there. They came in prepared; they would start practice on time and would get the nets up. This team wanted it and they put so much effort in getting here and getting the job done. They couldn’t be prouder and we are thrilled.”

Senior captain Emma Mancini, the only returning player from last year’s squad, concurred with Perrone’s sentiment.

“I am really proud of my team,” said Mancini. “We have a lot of team chemistry. We work hard and we fight hard.”

The Pioneers stormed out of the gate against Notre Dame and took an early 12-5 lead in the first set, prompting the Lancers to call a timeout. Notre Dame started playing better and the cut the locals’ lead to 15-13 halfway through the first set.

Undaunted, Lynnfield responded by going on a 4-0 run, giving the Pioneers a 19-13 lead, prompting the Lancers to call another timeout. Junior Shannon Ryan came up with some big serves and helped the locals go on a 6-5 run to pull out a 25-18 first set victory.

“There was a little bit of nervousness because it’s always a big match every year but they settled down,” Perrone said about the Pioneers’ first set performance.

The Lancers took an early 3-1 lead in the beginning of the second set. With the set tied at eight, the Pioneers went on a 9-2 run, taking a decisive 17-10 lead.

The Pioneers kept pulling away in the second set and had a 21-13 lead toward the end of the set. While the Lancers went on a brief 4-2 run, the Pioneers secured two decisive points to secure a 25-18 second set victory.

Lynnfield stormed out of the gate during the third set and took an early 10-3 lead, prompting Notre Dame to call a timeout. The Lancers responded by going on a 10-2 run, cutting the Pioneers’ lead to 15-12 and forcing Perrone to call a timeout.

“I tried to settled them down a little bit and at time same time fire them up a little bit,” said Perrone. “I just told them to finish it and get the job done.”

The Pioneers listened to Perrone’s advice and went on a 6-0 run, taking a 19-13 lead. While the Lancers attempted to rally, Mancini and sophomore Sarah Mezini played very well down the stretch and helped the Pioneers secure a 25-17 third set victory and fifth straight North sectional championship.

Lynnfield has defeated Notre Dame the last three years in the D-3 North championship game.

“We have a friendly rivalry,” said Perrone. “The text messages (with Notre Dame head coach Rob Mahoney) start just before the season ends and the playoffs start.”

Mancini added, “We know they are a good team and we expected it.”

Mancini, who was named both an All-State player as well as a Cape Ann League All-League player, led the Pioneers with 20 kills and 11 digs.

“Emma is one of the best players to come through Lynnfield High School in regard to volleyball talent,” said Perrone. “She doesn’t want her high school season to end yet and she has got other things in mind for her senior year. There is more to come from Emma.”

Junior Jess Dwyer, who was as CAL All-Star this fall, finished with 14 digs and two aces against the Lancers. Junior MaryKate Deighan, who was named as a CAL All-League player, finished with four blocks, two kills and two aces. Junior Shannon Ryan, who was also named an All-State player and CAL All-League player, also played well for the locals.

“Shannon equals solid,” said Perrone. “She comes in very day well prepared and ready to play. She and Emma really lead this team to where it needs to go.”

Mezini added 11 assists and four aces. Sophomore Katie Nugent came up with some big serves for the Pioneers as well.

Perrone commended Mezini and Nugent’s performance in their Division 3 North finals debut.

“Katie was fabulous,” said Perrone. “She is a sophomore who hasn’t been in this environment before and she really kept her composure. Sarah Mezini kept her composure and got the job done. What more could you ask from your sophomores.”

The Pioneers will face a familiar foe during the state semifinals on Thursday, Nov. 13 at Hudson High School. Lynnfield lost to D-3 West champion Frontier in the Division 3 state finals in 2012 and the D-3 state semifinals in 2011. Frontier has won the last four Division 3 state titles.

Perrone said the Pioneers will be focusing on its defense this week in practice to get ready for Frontier.

“They are a great program and they have a phenomenal coach,” said Perrone. “We have now to get ready for that match.”

Soars past Eagles

The Pioneers punched their tickets to the Division 3 North finals by defeating second seed Mystic Valley 3-0 in the D-3 North semifinals on Wednesday, Nov. 5. Lynnfield defeated Mystic Valley 3-1 in the North semifinals last fall.

The Pioneers jumped out to an early 13-7 first set lead over the Eagles. While Mystic Valley briefly cut the locals’ lead to 16-13 halfway through the first set, Lynnfield went on a 9-4 run to pull out a 25-17 first set victory.

Lynnfield dominated the second set from start to finish. The Pioneers had an early 11-5 lead in the beginning of the set. While Mystic Valley managed to cut the Pioneers’ lead to six (16-10), Lynnfield went on a 9-1 run to secure a 25-11 second set win.

The Pioneers kept rolling during the third set, taking an early 10-4 lead. The locals closed out the third set by going on a 15-7 run to win the third set 25-11.

“We were really amped for tonight’s game,” said Perrone. “We had a good practice plan and we executed what we practiced on the court. We had great team chemistry.”

Mancini led the Pioneers with 24 kills and eight digs. Dwyer added 11 digs. Ryan finished with eight digs, 14 assists and three aces.

“We had some really nice serves from Shannon Ryan tonight,” said Perrone. “MaryKate Deighan and Jess Badger had a nice defensive game. Katie Nugent and Sarah Mezini did a nice job serving and our libero, Jess Dwyer, played a great defensive game.”