Hosts Georgetown in first round Monday

Published April 7, 2021

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

LYNNFIELD — For the second time this season, the Lynnfield High volleyball team defeated Triton as they won 3-0 on Monday evening. The host Pioneers won the three sets 25-17, 25-21 and 25-7.

“We were trying some new rotations to get ready for the league playoffs,” explained Pioneers head coach Brent Ashley. “Triton is going to be a very good team next season.”

Lynnfield improved to 8-1 while the Vikings fell to 5-4.

JILLIAN BABINE follows through on a kill against Newburyport. The senior had two kills and nine digs against the Clippers. (Bill Babine Photo)

Ava Buonfiglio had seven service aces and seven digs. Fellow senior co-captain Daniella Colarusso had 12 digs and six aces while sophomore star Ella Gizmunt had 17 kills, five digs and five aces.

On March 31, the Pioneers suffered their first loss of the year as they were shocked 3-0 at home to Newburyport. It was the first win ever for the Clippers over the Pioneers and it snapped a 33 match Cape Ann League winning streak for Lynnfield.

The Clippers, who improved to 6-2, won the three sets 25-20, 25-19 and 25-23. Sydney Yim, who will be playing at Purdue next year, led the Clippers with 19 assists and seven kills.

“They were energetic and put us on our heels like we did when we beat them,” said Ashley. “We looked really tired.”

Colarusso had 19 digs.

OLIVIA MURPHY (5) blocks a Newburyport shot. The senior had four kills and two blocks against the Clippers. (Bill Babine Photo)

Newburyport was able to get a split of the season series as the Pioneers won 3-0 in the season opener back on March 8.

“I am very concerned about us being a front-running team,” admitted Ashley. “We are not used to getting behind.”

On Wednesday (April 7), Lynnfield will host North Reading in the regular-season finale. That match will start at 5:30 p.m.

It is also Senior Night as five Pioneer 12th-graders will be honored after the match: Buonfiglio, Colarusso, Jillian Babine, Olivia Murphy and Vanessa Torosian. 

Next week, the CAL will have its league tournament with the Pioneers being the top seed. The league changed their playoff format from the winter season as all eight volleyball teams will make it.

Lynnfield will host eighth-seeded Georgetown next Monday (April 12) at 5:30 p.m. in the first round. The Royals entered this week without a win. The semifinals will be on Apr. 14 and the final will be Apr. 16.