THE LHS volleyball team (4-1) won their third match in a row with a 3-1 victory over Newburyport in the home-opener on Sept. 12. (Courtesy Photo)
LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield High volleyball is off to a great start in their 2024 season. The Pioneers improved to 4-1 with a home victory over Newburyport on Sept. 12. It was Lynnfield’s third consecutive victory.
The Pioneers started the season with a 3-1 win over Stoneham before falling to CAL powerhouse Ipswich 3-2 in a thrilling matchup on Sept. 5.
Since then, they have wins over Hamilton-Wenham (3-0) on Sept. 9, Georgetown (3-0) on Sept. 11 and the Clippers (3-1).
Lynnfield’s season-opening win over the Spartans was paced by senior Erika Pasquale and sophomore Audrey Manning. Pasquale had 12 kills and 23 serve receptions while Manning had 14 assists, 9 digs, 10 aces and 5 kills.
Senior Erin Higdon also dominated from the service line with 9 aces while adding 14 receptions and 12 digs.
Lynnfield’s thriller against the Tigers on the road featured a phenomenal comeback as they trailed 2-0 before roaring back with a 25-21 win in set three and a 25-20 win in set four. In the fifth and deciding set, Ipswich was able to hold on for a 15-11 victory.
Pasquale had 14 kills, 3 aces, 15 digs and 28 receptions in this one. Senior Chase Carangelo had 9 kills, 2 aces, 14 digs and 16 receptions. Manning finished with 6 kills, 3 aces, 11 digs and 14 assists while Higdon had 4 kills, 6 aces and 12 assists.
Lynnfield cruised in 3-0 sweeps over the Generals and Royals, both road matches.
Against Hamilton-Wenham, Carangelo and Pasquale led a balanced attack with 6 kills each. Pasquale had 4 aces while Higdon and senior Kim Staffier each added 3.
Against Georgetown, Carangelo had 10 kills while Pasquale had 8 in Lynnfield’s quickest match of the season so far with set wins by scores of 25-20, 25-15 and 25-14.
Lynnfield’s win over a strong Newburyport team was the Pioneers’ home-opener.
Similar to their match against Ipswich, Lynnfield had to fight back in this one as the Clippers took the opening set 25-18. The Pioneers then won three in a row, 25-23, 25-20 and 25-22.
Pasquale controlled this match with 18 kills.
Carangelo had 10 kills, 3 aces, 18 digs and 16 receptions.
Junior Alexia Vaquerano chipped in 5 kills.
Senior Ava Willoughby played great defense with 30 serve receptions.
Higdon led the way with 7 aces and 16 assists.
The Pioneers went for their fourth in a row on Tuesday against Triton after press time. They then host Essex Tech on Friday at 5:15 p.m. and travel to Pentucket on Monday at 5:15 p.m.
