2019 HockomockSports Volleyball Awards

 
Canton senior Taylor Harris has been selected as the 2019 HockomockSports.com Volleyball Player of the Year. The Canton outside hitter was integral to the Bulldogs continuing their dominance in the Davenport division, clinching a second sectional title, and the program’s first-ever Div. 2 state championship.

Harris was also selected as the Hockomock League MVP by the coaches after leading the league in kills and being an all-around standout. Despite a number of new faces in the lineup, the Bulldogs won their 13th league title in 14 seasons.

“Taylor plays her position with skill, confidence, and poise,” said Canton coach Pat Cawley. “She is explosive to the ball, hits with power, sees the court better than most high school players and has worked hard on her defense. Taylor played well under extreme pressure. Most importantly, Taylor is a supportive and encouraging teammate, and an unassuming leader on and off the court.”

Canton returned only one starter (Harris) from last year’s team that reached the Central final and had to overcome several injuries, but Harris pulled everything together with her dominant all-around game. She was the top hitter in the state, recording 434 kills. She was also strong on the defensive side with 21 blocks, 224 digs, and 398 serve receptions. Harris also had 41 aces, putting 92 percent of her serves in play.

“Taylor is that rare player who never has to rotate off the court,” said HockomockSports.com Managing Editor Josh Perry. “No matter where she’s lined up, Taylor is going to make plays that few others can. It was far more than just the hitting, she was the leader of the team and encouraged everyone on the court to keep pushing all the way to a state title.”

Harris is the fourth Canton player to win this honor. She follows Elizabeth Hamilton (2015), Erin Proctor (2014), and Avery Devoe (2013) as Bulldogs to be named Player of the Year. She also ends a run of three straight Players of the Year from the Kelley-Rex division (King Philip’s Sydney Phillips in 2016 and 2017 and Franklin’s Lauren McGrath last season).

Honorable Mentions: Allie Kemp (Oliver Ames), Catherine Waldeck (King Philip), Ally Bonnet-Eymard (Franklin)

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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

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Hayley Gaskin – North Attleboro – Setter
North Attleboro senior Haley Gaskin was one of the top setters in the league this season and had a strong all-around game to lead the Rocketeers back to the postseason. She was third in the league during the regular season with 425 assists, while adding value on defense and at the service line for the Davenport runners-up. She was selected as an all-star by the Hockomock League coaches. North Attleboro coach Kim Hallahan said, “Hayley was a key piece to our offense and defense this year. She plays the sport with passion and she strives off of competition. She has grown so much over these years and has become so confident in her abilities. She truly, truly loves this sport and it shows.”

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Allie Kemp – Oliver Ames – Setter
Oliver Ames senior setter Allie Kemp closed out her impressive four-year varsity career by helping the Tigers win a first league title and reach their first D1 South final, nearly pulling an upset of perennial power Barnstable. Kemp finished the season with 650 assists (tops in the league), 120 digs, and 57 aces. She is just the third player in program history to go over 1,000 career assists, closing her career with 1,611. OA coach Chelsea Cunningham said, “Every year, she grew and worked for everything throughout her career. As humble and kind as Allison is, she is a fighter, a team player, and truly one of the most hardworking student-athletes to come through this program.”

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Ally Bonnet-Eymard – Franklin – Outside Hitter
Franklin junior Ally Bonnet-Eymard built on an impressive sophomore campaign to become one of the top hitters in the league this season, helping Franklin earn a share of the Kelley-Rex division title and make a trip to the Div. 1 Central/West quarterfinal. Bonnet-Eymard led the Panthers with 205 kills this season, but also contributed at the service line (36 aces) and on the defensive side (117 digs) to give Franklin flexibility in rotations and formations. Franklin coach Kelsey Weymouth said, “Allyson is the true definition of a most valuable player. Her skill level as a junior is impeccable and she was a force to be reckoned with all season long. She was a go-to player when we needed it and she did not disappoint. I can’t wait to see what she does her senior year!”

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Jordan Bosse – Oliver Ames – Outside Hitter
Oliver Ames senior hitter Jordan Bosse emerged as one of the league’s top threats on the outside this season and helped the Tigers win a first league title and reach a first sectional final. Bosse led the Tigers and was top five in the league with 215 kills and she also finished in the top 10 in the league in both digs (164) and aces (46). She was one of the most accurate hitters in the Hock, with a hitting percentage of .309 for the season. OA coach Chelsea Cunningham said, “On and off the court, Jordan is a powerful, committed, and well-rounded player. Jordan has left an impressive mark and has left big shoes to fill for the future of this program. She was an amazing captain, role model, teammate, and leader.”

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Grace Boudreau – Foxboro – Outside Hitter
Foxboro senior hitter Grace Boudreau was instrumental in the Warriors making a return to the postseason for the first time since 2012, leading the team in kills and being among the top hitters in the league. Boudreau finished the season with 227 kills and 40 blocks, giving Foxboro a strong presence at the net, but she also showcased a strong all-around game, adding 191 digs, 36 aces, and 16 assists this fall. Foxboro coach Vicki Santana said, “Grace was our MVP this year because of her leadership, dedication and her impact on and off the court. As a senior captain, she played front row and back row and was a player her teammates could trust on defense and count on for a kill on offense. She will be missed next year!”

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Taylor Harris – Canton – Outside Hitter
Canton senior Taylor Harris was the top player on the top Div. 2 team in the state, leading the Bulldogs to the program’s second-ever sectional title and its first-ever state championship. Harris led the state with 434 kills but also stepped up in all phases of the game. She had 21 blocks, 224 digs, and 398 serve receptions, while also recording 41 aces and serving at a 92 percent clip. Harris was named the HockomockSports.com Player of the Year (see above) and selected as league MVP by the coaches. Canton coach Pat Cawley said, “Taylor played well under extreme pressure. Most importantly, Taylor is a supportive and encouraging teammate, and an unassuming leader on and off the court.”

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Liz Bickett – Canton – Middle
Canton junior Liz Bickett only has two years of volleyball experience but became one of the league’s top middle blockers this season, helping the Bulldogs win a 13th league title in 14 years, a second-ever sectional title, and the program’s first-ever state championship. Bickett finished the season with 173 kills and 59 blocks but also showed that she has a strong all-around game. She had 238 digs, 466 serve receptions, and 33 aces (serving at a 96 percent clip). Canton coach Pat Cawley said, “An excellent athlete with a keen desire to compete at a high level, Liz set her mind to becoming a better player this season. She elevated her game because of her amazing work ethic and reached new levels in only her second season playing volleyball.”

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Catherine Waldeck – King Philip – Middle
King Philip senior Catherine Waldeck proved to be one of the best middle hitters in program history and helped the Warriors bounce back this fall with a league title and a run to the D1 Central-East title game. Waldeck was a dominant force in the middle on both sides of the ball, finishing second in the league with 265 kills and tops in the league with 65 blocks (including the postseason). KP structured its attack on the play of Waldeck and Nicole Coughlan in the middle and it proved to be a huge success. King Philip coach Kristen Geuss said, “Catherine was one of the best middle hitters King Philip has had. She was a dynamic force at the net with her outstanding blocking and hitting skills.”

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Emma Brooks – King Philip – Defensive Specialist
King Philip junior libero Emma Brooks controlled the back line for the league champion and Div. 1 Central-East finalist Warriors, proving to be one of the league’s top defensive players. Athletic and quick, Brooks covered a lot of ground behind the team’s strong blockers and kept a number of points alive with her solid passing. Brooks finished with 151 digs this season and added 88 aces from the service line. Brooks even chipped in with 23 kills and came through in big moments, stepping up her game during the team’s tournament run. KP coach Kristen Geuss said, “As a Junior libero, Emma’s passing and digging skills were superb. She gave 100 percent effort on defense. She was also one of the most effective servers in the league.”

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HockomockSports.com Second Team

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Cailyn Mackintosh – Franklin – Setter
Franklin sophomore Cailyn Mackintosh stepped right into the shoes of last year’s Player of the Year Lauren McGrath and kept the Panthers attack flourishing. Mackintosh finished her first varsity season with 487 assists and 44 service aces to help the Panthers earn a share of their second straight Kelley-Rex division title and get back to the Div. 1 Central/West quarterfinal. A solid all-around player, Mackintosh also chipped in defensively with 94 digs this season. Franklin coach Kelsey Weymouth said, “I had high hopes for Cailyn going into this season and she exceeded my expectations. As a sophomore, her volleyball IQ is right up there with the seniors so she knew where to put the ball and when.”

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Julia Riordan – Milford – Setter
Milford senior Julia Riordan played a big part in helping the Scarlet Hawks qualify for the state tournament again this season. As the team’s main setter, Riordan rarely came off the court, finishing fifth in the league during the regular season with 365 assists and spreading the ball around to include all of Milford’s hitters. Riordan was also strong defensively on the back line and effective at the service line with 48 aces. Riordan was selected as a league all-star and named team MVP. Milford coach Tammy Webber said, “Julia is one of the most dedicated players I have coached. She puts in 100% effort every day. She worked hard to get to every second ball no matter where it was; she also gained consistency in her overall game.”

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Julia Kelly – Mansfield – Outside Hitter
Mansfield sophomore Julia Kelly took on a much larger role in the rotation in her second season on varsity and showed the potential of becoming one of the league’s top all-around players, finishing near the top of the league in kills, digs, and aces. This season Kelly recorded 124 kills (11th in the league), 134 digs (top 15), and 48 aces (fifth) to help the Hornets finish .500 in the league. Mansfield coach Melissa Heeden said, “It has been incredible to watch Julia grow as a player. She has been coming to our clinics since third grade and fell in love with the sport instantly. It has been incredible to watch her grow this season in her confidence on the court. She helped command the back row and became a strong force at the net.”

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Ryley McNeeley – Oliver Ames – Opposite
Oliver Ames senior Ryley McNeeley was an integral part of the attack for the Kelley-Rex division co-champion and Div. 1 South finalist. She added balance to the OA offense and forced defenses to be aware of her whenever she was at the net. McNeeley had 156 kills this season, 108 digs, and 30 aces. She also finished with 37 blocks (22 solo) and was top 10 in the league in hitting percentage at .244. OA coach Chelsea Cunningham said, “Ryley is one of the most hardworking players that I have been privileged to work with. Her fiery presence brought our offense to a new level and her commitment to becoming an all-around player pushed her talents to new heights. Her fight and passion for the game did not go unnoticed and was without a doubt the glue to our team chemistry.”

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Kylie Melanson – North Attleboro – Outside Hitter
North Attleboro senior Kylie Melanson was one of the top hitters in the league this season, leading a balanced North attack with 155 kills during the regular season, which was seventh-best in the league. She also chipped in with 36 aces and had a big game in a playoff loss against New Bedford, keeping North in the match against the Whalers. North coach Kim Hallahan said, “Kylie was a huge hitter for us this year. I knew her time was coming these past four years and it really showed this year. She is an extremely talented hitter, she can move the ball so well on the court. We were very fortunate to have her leading us on the outside. She was a key player every single game.”

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Claire Quinn – Canton – Outside Hitter
Canton senior hitter Claire Quinn helped balance the attack for the Davenport division champion Bulldogs and came through with clutch points during Canton’s run to a second sectional title and first-ever state championship. While much of the attention was on Taylor Harris, Quinn gave the Bulldogs an additional weapon when she rotated to the outside. She finished with 151 kills, 181 digs, 353 serve receptions, and 35 aces. Canton coach Pat Cawley said, “Claire’s ability to get the kill, dig, or ace when needed should not be understated in our run to the state championship. Her strength and court awareness gave her the ability to hit with power from the front and back row as well as place off-speed shots into opponents’ holes.”

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Allison Corsini – Milford – Middle
Milford senior middle Allison Corsini was a key performer for the Scarlet Hawks, helping them earn another playoff berth and stay competitive in the Davenport division. Corsini finished 10th in the league during the regular season with 127 kills and was third in the league with 54 blocks, controlling the middle of the net on both sides for the Hawks. She was also selected as an all-star by the Hockomock League coaches for the first time and earned the team’s “most dedicated” honor. Milford coach Tammy Webber said, “Allison played with a consistent force at the net. She came up with big points when the team needed them with a timely block or a kill.”

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Nicole Coughlan – King Philip – Middle
King Philip junior middle hitter Nicole Coughlan was a dominant presence at the net for the Kelley-Rex co-champion and helped the Warriors bounce back from missing the playoffs by making a run to the Div. 1 Central-East final. With an offense focused on Coughlan and Catherine Waldeck in the center, KP controlled the net. Coughlan finished the season with 252 kills, 46 aces, and 22 blocks. She was fourth in the league during the regular season in kills and 10th in aces. KP coach Kristen Guess said, “As a junior and second-year varsity starter, Nicole was one of our other go-to middle hitters. As effective as Nicole was at the net, she was also formidable at the service line.”

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Samantha Sternburg – Mansfield – Defensive Specialist
Mansfield senior libero Samantha Sternburg controlled the back line for the Hornets this year, helping them finish .500 in the league and come within two non-league wins of making the state tournament. Sternburg was third in the league with 259 digs and also was one of the team’s vocal leaders. Mansfield coach Melissa Heeden said, “I could not be more proud of her transition over the past year. She became an incredible senior leader for us on and off the court. She pushed herself very hard over the summer not only physically, but mentally as well to become a better player. She is such a smart player who reads the court so well and was the key to our defense this season. I am so proud of what she accomplished in leading our team.”

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Franklin sophomore Cailyn Mackintosh has been selected as the 2019 HockomockSports.com Volleyball Underclassman of the Year. Mackintosh stepped in as the setter for the Panthers and helped them earn a share of their second straight Kelley-Rex division title.

Mackintosh was one of the league leaders this season with 487 assists and 44 aces, emerging as a standout passer and giving the Panthers no drop-off from the graduation of 2018 HockomockSports.com Player of the Year Lauren McGrath. She also added 94 digs, showing off a strong all-around game.

“Cailyn had big shoes to fill this season, and boy did she do just that!” said Franklin coach Kelsey Weymouth. “I had high hopes for her going into this season and she exceeded my expectations. As a sophomore, her volleyball IQ is right up there with the seniors, so she knew where to put the ball and when. I look forward to her growth the next two years!”

HockomockSports.com Managing Editor Josh Perry said, “Cailyn didn’t seem like a first-year varsity player this season. She knew where she wanted to go with the ball and she was able to spread it around, allowing every on the front line to get touches. I expect that Franklin will build its attack around Cailyn for the next couple of years.”

Mackintosh is the second Franklin player to be honored as Underclassman of the Year, following McGrath in 2016. She is also the third setter to win the award in the past four seasons, including McGrath and Oliver Ames’ Allie Kemp (2017).

Honorable Mention: Julia Kelly (Mansfield), Sarah Brogioli (Milford), Hadley Rhodes (Oliver Ames)

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Canton head coach Pat Cawley has been selected as the 2019 HockomockSports.com Volleyball Coach of the Year. Cawley led the Bulldogs to their 13th league title in the past 14 years, to a second straight sectional final, and to the program’s first-ever Div. 2 state championship.

After graduating all but one starter from last year’s D2 Central finalists and battling injuries throughout the season, including at the setter position, Cawley was able to put together a lineup that made program history. She secured the 200th win of her career in the season opener and continued Canton’s dominance in the league.

In the playoffs, she led Canton to a four-set win over Westboro in the Central final, just the program’s second-ever Central crown, and wins over a pair of undefeated teams (Minnechaug and Danvers) to seal the state title.

“Even with a roster filled with new faces and relatively inexperienced players, Pat was able to pull everything together,” said HockomockSports.com Managing Editor Josh Perry. “There were a lot of learning moments during the regular season, but once the playoffs hit the Bulldogs clicked into gear and played their best volleyball. It was an amazing run.”

This is the second time that Cawley has received this award. She was also named Coach of the Year in 2016 and is the first volleyball coach to earn this honor multiple times and joins boys hockey coach Brian Shuman as one of two Canton coaches to be named coach of the year multiple times in their respective sports.

Honorable Mention: Chelsea Cunningham (Oliver Ames), Kelsey Weymouth (Franklin), Kristen Geuss (King Philip)