To host Ipswich in semifinals tonight

Published April 14, 2021

LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield High volleyball team won its third consecutive Cape Ann League championship on April 7 when they beat North Reading 3-0 on Senior Night at LHS. 

The Pioneers celebrated five seniors who have helped build the program into a CAL and state powerhouse: Captains Ava Buonfiglio and Daniella Collarusso, Jillian Babine, Olivia Murphy and Vanessa Torosian. 

Against the Hornets, Murphy had 6 kills and a dig; Colarusso had 2 aces and led the team with 12 digs; Torosian had a kill, 2 aces and 11 digs; Babine had 3 kills, an ace and 6 digs; Buonfiglio had 8 kills, a block and a dig. 

Sophomore Ella Gizmunt had 17 kills, 8 aces and 4 digs; sophomore Celia Carbone had 27 assists and 6 digs.

THE FIVE LHS volleyball seniors were honored on April 7 after their victory over North Reading clinched the team’s 3rd consecutive CAL title. Lynnfield will now focus on the CAL playoffs starting in the semifinals against Ipswich tonight. Pictured from left to right is Ava Buonfiglio, Jillian Babine, Olivia Murphy, Vanessa Torosian and Daniella Colarusso. (LHS Athletics Photo)

Lynnfield finished the regular season with a record of 9-1, there only loss coming to Newburyport as the two teams split the season series. 

The CAL volleyball playoffs started on Monday with seven teams. Lynnfield got a bye in the first round as the top seed. 

The Pioneers will host No. 4 Ipswich today, Wednesday, April 14 at 5 p.m. in a semifinal matchup. The Tigers beat No. 5 Triton 3-2 in the quarterfinals. Lynnfield beat Ipswich in their only matchup of the season 3-0 on March 17. 

No. 2 Newburyport beat No. 7 Pentucket 3-0 on Monday while No. 6 North Reading upset No. 3 Hamilton-Wenham 3-2. The Hornets and Clippers will play in Newburyport on Wednesday night. The winners of the two semifinal matches will play in the championship on Friday at the higher seed’s home court.