SENIOR CAPTAIN Lily DeLeo and the No. 17 Pioneers came up just short in a great Div. 3 first round matchup against No. 16 Lynn Classical, 3-2. DeLeo, who led the Pioneers in assists with 261 in the regular season, is one of four seniors on the team this year along with Livia Tare, Janhavi Joglekar and Grace D’Augusta. (LHS Volleyball Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELUCCI
LYNN — On Oct. 17, the Lynnfield volleyball team traveled to Lynn Classical and won the non-league match-up 3-0.
The Pioneers made a second trip to Lynn Classical, with the stakes much higher, on Nov. 2 as they took on the Rams in the MIAA Division 3 Round of 32 playoff match.
This time, it was the Rams who came out the victors as they edged the Pioneers, 3-2, in a long, tight match.
Lynnfield dug themselves a big hole as they lost the opening two sets, 25-16, and 26-24. However, the Pioneers fought back winning the next two sets, 25-23 and 26-24 to set up a dramatic final set.
Just like the previous three sets, the fifth one was decided by only two points and the Rams won, 15-13, to end the Pioneers’ season.
With the loss, 17th-seeded Lynnfield ended the year at 10-10.
Lynn Classical, who is the 16th-seed, improved to 18-3 as they took on top-seeded Medfield on Nov. 7 (results unavailable at press time).
In overall regular season statistics for the Pioneers this fall, Chase Carangelo led the team in kills per set (3.7) and hitting percentage (0.348). The junior outside hitter also led the roster in overall kills (244) and receptions (231).
Sophomore outsider hitter Lexi Vaquerano, was the team leader in blocks with 35 while fellow sophomore Olivia Kelter was the leader in digs per set at 3.2.
Erin Higdon had 92 service aces to lead the team and the junior also led the squad in aces per set at 1.3.
Kelter led the team in digs with 214 and senior setter Lily DeLeo was tops in assists with 261.
