By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield High volleyball team stayed perfect on Monday afternoon as they hammered guest Newburyport 3-0. The Pioneers easily won the three games 25-6, 25-16 and 25-7 to go to 7-0 overall and 6-0 in the Cape Ann League.
“The girls came out extra angry with a chip on their shoulder,” stated Pioneers head coach Brent Ashley. “They took what happened last year personally.”
In the Fall 2 season last spring, the Clippers handed the Pioneers their only loss of the season, 3-0 on March 31.
Ella Gizmunt had a huge day as the junior CAL All-Star had 16 kills and four service aces.
Setter Sarah Foley had 14 assists, seven service aces and six kills.
The Clippers fell to 4-4 overall and 4-2 in the league with the defeat.
On Sept. 23, the Pioneers edged host Hamilton-Wenham 3-2. The Generals won the first two sets, 25-23 and 25-19 to put Lynnfield in a big hole. Lynnfield then rallied to win the next three sets, 25-18, 25-19 and 15-9 to pull out the victory.
“They are the best defensive team I have seen this year and they made this one a nail-biter,” said Ashley. “Their coach has done a great job with them.”
Gizmunt had a career-high 27 kills, which is second-best all-time in team history as the record is 34.
Celia Carbone also had a monster match with 14 digs, five service aces and a career-high 21 assists.
“Celia played very well that match,” said Ashley.
In their first non-league match of the season on Sept. 21, the Pioneers beat guest Masconomet, 3-1.
“This was a good non-league test for us,” recalled Ashley, about the former CAL school that now plays in the Northeastern Conference. “They have two really good hitters.”
Lynnfield won set one 25-12 but the Chieftains won the second set, 25-15.
The Pioneers then wrapped up the match winning the next two sets, 25-16, and 25-21.
Outside hitter Giuliana Guarracino had a career-high 14 kills and 10 digs. Gizmunt, meanwhile, had a team-high 20 kills.
On Sept. 29, the Pioneers go to Ipswich. They then visit Triton on Oct. 1.Lynnfield then welcomes Pentucket on Oct. 5.
All three of those matches will start at 5:30 p.m.
