2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards

2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards

2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards

2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards 2017 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards HockomockSports Attleboro Canton Foxboro Franklin King Philip Mansfield Milford North Attleboro Oliver Ames Sharon Stoughton Taunton HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports HockomockSports Your source for comprehensive coverage of the Hockomock League. We provide recaps, features, standings, schedules and much more.
HockomockSports Your source for comprehensive coverage of the Hockomock League. We provide recaps, features, standings, schedules and much more.
HockomockSports Your source for comprehensive coverage of the Hockomock League. We provide recaps, features, standings, schedules and much more.
HockomockSports Your source for comprehensive coverage of the Hockomock League. We provide recaps, features, standings, schedules and much more. TheSunChronicle.com ESPNBoston.com

Sydney Phillips
 
King Philip senior Sydney Phillips has been selected as the 2017 HockomockSportscom Volleyball Player of the Year. It is the second straight year that Phillips was earned the honor, and the first ever two-time winner for volleyball.

Phillips was also selected as the Hockomock League MVP for the second consecutive season after helping King Philip clinch its second straight Kelley-Rex division title, and helping the Warriors reach the D1 Central-West sectional final.

“Sydney dominated the court with her explosive hits,” said King Philip head coach Kristen Geuss. “She carried the team to its second Kelley-Rex League Championship.”

As an outside hitter, Phillips led the team with 352 total kills (.383 hitting percentage) in 79 sets played. In the regular season, she was the top hitter with a Hockomock League-best 330 kills – over 60 more than the next player. She also had 92 digs, 36 aces and 12 total blocks on the season. She notched a season-high 29 kills against Needham in one of the final games of the regular season.

“Sydney was clearly the top attacking playing again this season and was a no-brainer choice for Player of the Year again,” said HockomockSports.com Editor-in-Chief Ryan Lanigan. “Whether it was with power or placement, almost every time Sydney had an attacking opportunity, she made it difficult for the defense. Her ability to line down the line really opened the court up for her and her teammates.”

Phillips is the first King Philip player in any sport to win back-to-back Player of the Year honors, and is just the fourth athlete to do so in HockomockSports.com’s history. Other two-time winners include Canton’s Jackson Maffeo (hockey) and Franklin’s Taylor Cogliano (soccer) and Marta Versprille (lacrosse).

Honorable Mentions: Amelia Murphy (North Attleboro), Lexi Pereira (Attleboro), Val Whalen (Stoughton)


Editor’s Note: The HockomockSports.com Awards are selected strictly by our staff and have no affiliation to the official Hockomock League all stars. Please note players are listed alphabetically by position.

HockomockSports.com First Team


Lauren McGrathLauren McGrath – Franklin – Setter
Franklin junior Lauren McGrath followed up a stellar sophomore season with another strong campaign for the Panthers. Last year’s HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year put the Panthers’ offense in motion as the setter, and also gave Franklin a boost on the defensive side. She finished the season with 545 assists, 148 service points with 37 aces, and 63 digs. “Lauren is one of the most athletic players we have had in our program,” said FHS head coach Kate Horsmann. “Her decision making is really good and I haven’t seen many setters at the high school level who are as good defensively.”
 


Rachael VeilleuxRachael Veilleux – King Philip – Setter
King Philip senior Rachel Veilleux stepped into the starting setter role this season and flourished for the Warriors. After losing Carly Adams to graduation, Veilleux stepped right in and KP’s offense continued to function like a well-oiled machine. Veilleux was responsible for setting up the league’s top offense. She finished the year with 649 assists along with 49 aces and 47 digs. “Rachael was a good decision maker, covered the court well and was able to vary the sets to match the hitters strengths,” said KP head coach Kristen Geuss. “Her ability to set up our strong hitters was key to the team’s success.”

 


Julia HarrisonJulia Harrison – Mansfield – Outside Hitter
Mansfield senior Julia Harrison was a vital part of the Hornets attack and defense in the 2017 season. A three-year varsity player, and captain for her senior year, was second on the team in kills with 179 from her outside hitter position, and led the team with 162 digs. She added 135 service points with a 97% serving percentage and a team-high 25 aces. “She did an incredible job leading our team this year on offense and defense,” said MHS coach Melissa Heeden. “What sets Julia apart is her hustle.  Every day in practice and games she gives 110%. Her hustle and heart were a huge strength to our season this year.”

 


Amelia MurphyAmelia Murphy – North Attleboro – Outside Hitter
North Attleboro senior Amelia Murphy continued to be one of the league’s best hitters during the 2017 season. After making a splash in her debut with the Rocketeers last season, Murphy formed one of the most dangerous attacking duos along with Kezia De La Cruz. Having a constant top outside hitter no matter the rotation made Big Red one of the best teams in the league. She finished the season with a team-high 234 kills, 82 digs, 55 aces and 17 total blocks. “Her tough winning attitude led us on the court when the games got tight,” said North head coach Jeff Crins. “Her presence on the court was always known and always did what it took to get a point!”

 


Lexi PereiraLexi Pereira – Attleboro – Outside Hitter
Attleboro senior Lexi Pereira was once again was of the best all-around payers in the Hockomock League. Not only did Pereira lead the Bombardiers in kills with 269 (second in the league in the regular season), she was first on the team in aces (39), service points (176), and digs (147), and was second on the team in total blocks (30). “Ranking in the top 20 of the Hockomock League in all areas of the stats reflects how diverse a player Lexi Pereira is,” said Attleboro head coach Dick Siebert.

 


Sydney PhillipSydney Phillips – King Philip – Outside Hitter
King Philip senior outside hitter Sydney Phillips once again dominated at the net for the Kelley-Rex division champion Warriors. Phillips, a two-time Hockomock League MVP, two-time HockomockSports.com Player of the Year and KP’s first ever All-State selection, led the league with 352 kills while adding 92 digs and 36 assists. She was a big reason the Warriors reached the D1 Central East Final this season. “Sydney dominated the court with her explosive hits,” said King Philip head coach Kristen Geuss. “She carried the team to its second Kelley-Rex League Championship.”

 


Meg HillMeg Hill – Mansfield – Middle
Mansfield senior Meg Hill capped a tremendous four-year career of volleyball with an impressive 2017 campaign. For the second straight year, Hill led the Hornets in kills with 252 (third in the Hockomock in the regular season). She also led the team in blocking for the second straight year with 62 blocks and added nine aces. “Meg Hill has been an incredible player to coach,” said MHS coach Melissa Heeden. “For the past three years she has been the player I can turn to in the game when we need to crank it up and she will come up with a big play, a huge block or kill.”

 


Val WhalenVal Whalen – Stoughton – Middle
Stoughton senior Val Whalen dominated at the net for the Black Knights during the 2017 season. With a 49% kill percentage, Whalen finished the year with a team-high 271 kills (top five in the Hockomock). She also had 188 serve receives, 126 digs, 51 aces and 36 blocks. Whalen was named to the D2 All-State Team. “Val is a player every coach wants on their team and every opponent fears,” said Stoughton coach Erica Batchelder. “Her intensity she brings to every point is infectious. Her leadership on and off the court drives the program.”

 


Sadie HomerSadie Homer – Oliver Ames – Defensive Specialist
Oliver Ames senior Sadie Homer continued to be a rock in the back line for the Tigers this season. After a tough 0-6 start, Homer helped Oliver Ames turn the season around and make the state tournament with 11 wins in their final 14 games. She led the team with 530 service receptions as well as 329 digs, while adding 29 aces as one of the team’s top servers. “Sadie is one of the strongest defenders in the league and a has such a dominant presence in the back row,” said Oliver Ames coach Chelsea Cunningham. “She shows a lot of grit, confidence, perseverance, and commitment to the game.”

 


Julianne RandoJulianne Rando – King Philip – Defensive Specialist
King Philip senior Julianne Rando stepped up as the Warriors’ most reliable defensive option during the 2017 season. After graduating libero Amanda Loewen, there was a void to fill in the defensive back line and Rando stepped up. She had a team-high 148 digs, and was one of the Warriors’ tp servers with 25 kills and 119 service points. “Julianne anchored the defense with her serve receive and digs,” said King Philip head coach Kristen Geuss. “Her consistent first passes were instrumental in powering the offense.”

 


HockomockSports.com Second Team


Nicole BrownNicole Brown – Canton – Setter
Although it was an atypical fall for the Canton volleyball team, junior setter Nicole Brown had a solid season setting up the Bulldogs attack with accurate passing. Brown finished with a team-high 397 assists and was fourth on the team with 55 kills. Brown was also accurate at the service line, serving at a 94 percent clip, while chipping in with 113 digs. Canton coach Pat Cawley said of Brown, “Nicole was the heart and soul of our team. In a long line of great setters at Canton, I can truly say Nicole is one of the hardest workers I have coached. She never took one minute off!”

 


Molly TurnerMolly Turner – Stoughton – Setter
Stoughton put together a great season, piling up 16 wins and finishing second in the Davenport division, and junior setter Molly Turner was one of the keys to the Black Knights success. Turner had 278 assists this season and led the Hockomock League with 84 aces and 221 service points, serving at a 91 percent, while chipping in defensively with 104 digs this year. Stoughton coach Erica Batchelder said, “Molly has an incredible work ethic and knowledge for the game. She has a dynamite serve and her ability to see the court enhances our team performance.”

 


Jess AllanJess Allan – Sharon – Outside Hitter
Sharon senior Jess Allan had another solid season on the outside for the Eagles to keep Sharon competitive in the Davenport division. Allan finished with 165 kills, which was in the top 10 in the Hockomock League. She also had 13 blocks and 119 digs, which was 12th best in the Hockomock League, to spark the Sharon defensive effort this fall. Allan was selected as a Hockomock all-star by the league coaches and was selected for the HockomockSports.com Second Team for the second straight season.

 


Kezia De La CruzKezia De La Cruz – North Attleboro – Outside Hitter
North Attleboro senior hitter Kezia De La Cruz transferred in for the Rocketeers this fall and made an instant impact on the outside to help North end Canton’s reign in the Davenport division and win the league title for the first time since 2012. De La Cruz finished her first season at North with 208 kills, which was second on the team and sixth in the league, and also had 61 aces, which was in the top five in the Hock. She served at 92.6 percent, had a hitting percentage of .384 and was third on the team with 63 digs. “Her positive attitude and volleyball experience made her a deadly weapon at the net and at the service line,” said North coach Jeff Crins. “Her volleyball court sense also made her a strong contributor in the back row as well.”

 


Michaela PalumboMichaela Palumbo – King Philip – Outside Hitter
As teams dedicated a lot of attention to Sydney Phillips on one side, senior hitter Michaela Palumbo provided balance to the King Philip attack with another strong season on the outside for the Kelley-Rex division champion. Palumbo had 156 kills this season, which was in the top 15 in the Hockomock League, and also added 44 aces and 23 digs to help the Warriors make a return to the Div. 1 Central/East final. King Philip coach Kristen Geuss said of Palumbo, “A leader on and off the court, senior outside hitter and captain Michaela Palumbo played with a high volleyball IQ and could find the holes in any defense.”

 


Emma PetrilloEmma Petrillo – Oliver Ames – Outside Hitter
Oliver Ames got off to a tough start to the fall season, but started to roll midseason and ralllied to book a place in the state tournament. One of the keys to that turnaround was the performance of senior outside hitter Emma Petrillo, who led the team with 199 kills, which was in the top 10 in the Hockomock League. A four-year varsity player, Petrillo also added 43 aces and 46 digs for the Tigers and was selected as a Hockomock all-star by the league’s coaches. OA coach Chelsea Cunningham said, “Her impressive growth as a player and leader made her presence known as one of the strongest and most versatile athletes in the program.”

 


Anna CaristiAnna Caristi – North Attleboro – Middle
North Attleboro senior Anna Caristi gave the North Attleboro attack a presence in the middle, keeping teams from overloading on the outside hitters and being a force for the North block, while helping North clinch its first Davenport division title. Caristi was third on the team with 122 kills behind Amelia Murphy and Kezia De La Cruz who were both in the top five in the league, and she also finished with a team-high 49 blocks, which was good for fifth in the Hockomock League. “Anna was our biggest defensive threat at the net,” said North Attleboro coach Jeff Crins. “She always had a presence at the net with her strong blocking and hitting. She was always a mentally tough player who came through when it really counted in some key matches.”

 


Meaghan MaguireMeaghan Maguire – Franklin – Middle
Franklin senior middle hitter Meaghan Maguire was a force in the center for the Panthers on both attack and defense, helping Franklin finish with 15 wins, take second place in the Kelley-Rex division and reach the second round of the Div. 1 Central/West tournament before a loss to eventual state finalist Hopkinton. Maguire finished with a team-high 138 kills and also had 41 blocks for the Panthers this season. Franklin coach Kate Horsmann said, “Meaghan had a great senior year. She led a very balanced front line in kills and blocks. What she didn’t kill block she often block touched; she was an intimidating force at the net.”

 


Kyra AlvesKyra Alves – Milford – Defensive Specialist
Milford senior Kyra Alves was once again a stalwart for the Hawks with her defensive prowess and her all-around game. Alves was voted the “most dedicated” by her teammates and provided 39 aces and only 12 errors on 190 service attempts. She was also third in the Hockomock League with 206 digs, helping Milford bounce back from a tough start to the season to finish with seven wins. Milford coach Tamara Webber said of Alves, “Hardworking, willing to do anything for the sake of the team, Kyra is a great teammate and leader.”

 


Riley MarinoRiley Marino – Franklin – Defensive Specialist
Franklin junior libero Riley Martino was a standout on the defensive side of the game and at the service line to help the Panthers finish second in the Kelley-Rex division, sweep Wachusett in the state tournament and reach the Div. 1 Central/West quarterfinal before a loss to eventual state finalist Hopkinton. Marino was one of the league leaders with 140 digs and had 358 receptions this fall. She also had 11 assists, 28 aces, and 133 service points for the Panthers. Franklin coach Kate Horsmann said, “Riley is aggressive and has a nose for the ball; both are important traits we look for from our liberos.”

 


Allison Kemp
 
Oliver Ames sophomore Allie Kemp has been selected as the 2017 HockomockSports.com Volleyball Underclassman of the Year. Kemp was the starting setter for the Tigers and guided the Tigers to the D1 South tournament.

Kemp put the Tigers’ offense in motion, helping the team win 11 of its final 14 games to qualify for the state tournament. As the season went on, the Tigers got strong and developed into one of the most balanced attacking teams.

“After spending a season shadowing former setter Bridget McCarthy, Allie has absorbed every critique, applied it to her performance, and has grown a dominant role on this team,” said Oliver Ames head coach Chelsea Cunningham. “She was thrown into a group of very dominant players; with that, she quickly adapted to a role that demanded attention and control. Allie took on many challenges that helped her play at a high level, and most importantly, grew as a teammate and a leader.”

She finished with a team-high 464 assists, which ranked fourth in the league among setters and most among underclassman. She was also impressive from the service line, ranking third on the team with 31 aces with just 11 service errors.

Kemp is the first Oliver Ames volleyball player to win the HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year award, and fifth OA player of any sport to win it (Nathaniel Cardoza, boys soccer; Francesca Calabraro, girls soccer; Hannah Friend, field hockey; Matt Muir, baseball).

Honorable Mention: Grace Ely (King Philip), Jada Johnson (Sharon), Ana Leonardo (Attleboro)


Coach of the Year

Coach of the Year

Jeff Crins
Jeff Crins

North Attleboro head coach Jeff Crins has been selected as the 2017 HockomockSports.com Volleyball Coach of the Year. Crins led the Rocketeers to a 18-3 overall record, a 15-1 league record, and the program’s first ever Davenport division title, snapping Canton’s 10-year streak.

North Attleboro earned its first league title since 2012, and the fourth seed in the D1 South tournament. Big Red picked up an impressive win over Walpole in the opening round before falling to eventual sectional champ Barnstable in the semifinals.

“Coach Crins had an experienced group to work with and he put all the pieces together to help the Rocketeers have a great season,” said HockomockSports.com Editor-in-Chief Ryan Lanigan said. ”

Crins is the third North Attleboro coach to be named HockomockSports.com Coach of the Year among all sports, joining Don Johnson (Football, 2015) and Sean Mulkerrins (Boys Basketball, 2016-2017).

Honorable Mention: Erica Batchelder (Stoughton) Chelsea Cunningham (Oliver Ames), Kristen Geuss (King Philip)