Wakefield sets program record for wins

THE SENIORS on the Wakefield volleyball team were honored before their victory over Stoneham on Oct. 23. The class of 2020 helped the program set a program record as juniors with seven wins and broke their own record this year as seniors with nine. Pictured with their families from left to right are seniors Emily Flores, Maddie Burke, Kayleigh Callanan, Abbie Coughlin, Rachel McNall, Jordyn Pugsley, Maddie Melanson and Katie Pearl. (Courtesy Photo)

Published in the November 1, 2019 edition.

By DAN BYRNE

WAKEFIELD — Last week, the Wakefield Memorial High School varsity volleyball team hosted Stoneham in their final home game of the season and it may have been the most exciting, culminating in a five-set win for the Warriors.

The night kicked off with an emotional ceremony where a speech about each senior on the team was given by an underclassman teammate. The team recognized seniors Maddie Burke, Abbie Coughlin, Rachel McNall and captains Maddie Melanson, Katie Pearl, and Jordyn Pugsley for their leadership and contributions throughout their time with the team.

After all the pleasantries, the match got going and Stoneham established an early advantage in the first game.

Trailing 12-6 early in the set, Warrior head coach Sasha Duprey called for a timeout to talk with her team.

Out of the timeout, the Warriors mounted a comeback, tying the score at 18 and prompting a timeout from Stoneham’s side.

After the brief pause, the Spartans regained the momentum and took control, winning the first set 25-21.

A quick switch of sides and the second set got underway, with the two teams trading points.

Neither team got ahead by more than two points before Wakefield went on a run and stepped out to a 13-9 advantage.

Wakefield continued to smash the ball, and grew the lead to 17-10 before the Stoneham coach called his second timeout.

Out of the break, Stoneham would score the next four points to make it 17-14, but Wakefield would then go on to score eight out of the last 10 points to win 25-17.

With the match tied at one set apiece, the teams’ began the pivotal third set.

Much like the second set, the two teams traded off scoring, as the score reached 10-10 without either team grabbing the upper hand.

At that point, the Warriors kicked it up a notch, scoring eight straight points to take an 18-10 lead. Stoneham battled back, but Wakefield was able to secure the win in set three with a 25-18 score.

On to the 4th set, and a win meant a match win for the Warriors, but the Spartans weren’t about to lie down and quit.

Stoneham grabbed the momentum and establish a big lead early, however, Wakefield came roaring back to tie the game four times, at 16,17,18, and 19 points, before Stoneham stepped out to a 23-20 lead. The Spartans then scored two out of the next four points to win it 25-22 and send the match to a 5th game.

Wakefield had twice before taken an opponent to a 5th game, but both times they failed to claim the victory.

Against Stoneham, the Warriors made sure that didn’t happen again, jumping out to a 5-0 lead, and never looking back. Stoneham called a timeout when it got to 9-3, but the Warriors never relinquished and claimed the 5th set victory 15-5.

“We played the fifth set really well,” the coach said, “The run we went on to start the set was huge.”

It was the first time Wakefield had won in five sets this season, “Which was great because we’ve had two fifth set losses this season and it’s nice to go out there and get a win,” head coach Duprey said after the game. “It gives us more experience with it and that will serve us well in the future.”

The win marks the Warriors’ 8th of the season, the most in program history.

The coach talked about what this meant for the seniors on the team, and the team as a whole saying, “They all played really well, which is awesome. It’s nice to win on Senior Night.

“They’re a really great group. I’ve really enjoyed coaching them. They really care, they want to work hard and make the program better.”

The coach continued saying, “It’s bittersweet because you want them to stay, the underclassmen have benefited a lot, they’ve been a great example.”

Wakefield played Burlington on Saturday, losing 3-0 and eliminating them from a possible tournament appearance, before claiming victory in their final game 3-2 over Beverly in another five-set thriller on Monday.