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Wednesday’s Schedule & Scoreboard – 10/09/24
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King Philip Pulls Upset, Takes Down Canton in Four Sets
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Tuesday’s Schedule & Scoreboard – 10/01/24
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Friday’s Schedule & Scoreboard – 09/27/24
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Thursday’s Schedule & Scoreboard – 09/19/24
Today’s games are listed below.
Boys Soccer
Oliver Ames, 0 @ Attleboro, 0 – Final – Oliver Ames dominated play, had a handful of quality scoring chances, and hit the woodwork three times but couldn’t get one past Attleboro senior keeper Jayden Ordmandy as the Tigers and Bombardiers finished scoreless at Tozier Cassidy Field. OA senior Jackson Mercieri hit the crossbar on a shot from distance and junior Nick Babanikas had his header clank the post in the first half. Senior Drew Hall also had a shot from inside the area hit off the post and stayed out in the second half. With OA pushing late, the Tigers had a couple of good looks but Ordmandy (eight saves) came up big to preserve the shutout. OA goalie Zack Gilson didn’t have to make a save in the shutout for OA.
North Attleboro, 1 @ Franklin, 3 – Final – Franklin scored three unanswered goals in the second half to overcome a halftime deficit against visiting North Attleboro. The Rocketeers claimed the lead with under three minutes left in the first half when Logan Shiner-McCracken latched onto a long ball from Patrick Etienvre, fending off a defender and cutting inside to finish from 12 yards out with his left. Franklin tied the game and took the lead in less than five minutes thanks to senior Garrett Scagliarini. The equalizer came in the 54th minute when Scagliarini placed a free kick from 25 yards out into the upper corner at the near post. Just three minutes later, Alex Connell made a darting run down the right sideline and sent in a low service that Scagliarini buried into the far corner with a one-timer. The Panthers got a key insurance goal with just under five minutes to go as Scaglarini’s flick off a throw in from Josh Rappa was knocked down in the area and cleaned up by senior center back Gabe Terry for his first career goal.
Canton, 0 @ Milford, 5 – Final – Milford jumped out to a lead just five minutes in and never looked back in a convincing 5-0 victory against visiting Canton. Danny Da Silva cleaned up a rebound after Gio Cappelli’s shot was denied to put the hosts up 1-0 early. Tiko Lourenco set up sophomore Bryan Ribeiro to double the lead as his deflected shot found the back of the net. The Hawks erupted for three goals in the second half as Gianelli Caccin scored off a corner (from Lourenco) for the second straight game, Da Silva returned the favor with a through ball to Cappelli to make it 4-0, and Matteus DeJesus capped the scoring after a free kick from Iuri Dias fell to his feet.
Stoughton, 6 @ Taunton, 3 – Final – Stoughton junior Kyle Garrity scored his first career hat trick to lead the Black Knights to a big win on the road over Taunton. Cameron Wilson added a brace and Alex Kozak tallied once in the win.
Foxboro, 0 @ King Philip, 4 – Final – Behind two goals in each half, King Philip broke out of its offensive funk and secured its first win of the season with a 4-0 win over Foxboro. Senior Colin Nolan notched a hat trick to spark the offense for the Warriors while Brad Lynn capped the scoring with KP’s fourth strike. Pranav Srinivasan had a pair of assists while Ben Cochran and Youseff Saad each had one helper in the win.
Mansfield, 2 @ Sharon, 2 – Final – Click here for a Photo Gallery from this match. – Sharon stunned Mansfield with a pair of goals less than a minute apart in the first half but Mansfield rallied back with two goals in the second half, including the equalizer with just under two minutes to play. The Hornets seemed to have control for most of the first half of an hour of play but Sharon senior Owen Soby took a throw-in and deposited a shot into the back of the net to put the Eagles ahead in the 29th minute. Just seconds later, Soby battled his way to a ball in the box and was fouled, earning a penalty kick. Junior Diego Martinez calmly slotted a low shot in to give the Eagles the lead, 2-0, at half. Mansfield came back with two goals in the final 15 minutes of the game, first cutting the deficit in half when junior Dom Nassif cleaned up a rebound after senior Amro Hosny’s bid clanked off the crossbar and was ruled to have stayed out. With time ticking away, Mansfield senior Dylan Mullin delivered a long free kick from just beyond midfield that was flicked on in the box from Cooper Austin into the far corner to make it 2-2.
Girls Soccer
Attleboro, 0 @ Oliver Ames, 1 – Final – Taylor deVos finished from the penalty spot with eight minutes to play, lifting the Tigers to their second win of the season. In a tough, back-and-forth game, Emily Lopes was fouled in the box late in the second half and deVos stepped up to give OA the slim edge. Attleboro’s best chance came in the first half but Tatum O’Brien’s weaving run into the box was saved by OA keeper Janiya Matier.
Milford, 2 @ Canton, 1 – Final – Milford fell behind in the opening minute on Thursday, but the Hawks rallied and picked up the upset victory on the road, moving back over .500 on the season and eclipsing their 2023 win total after just five games. The Bulldogs jumped in front early when Gabriella Berardi scored her third goal in the past two games, assisted by Paige Sullivan. Milford was able to find a groove and started pressing the ball. A foul just outside the 18 gave the visitors the opportunity to get back into the game. Ava Baglione marked her first game back from a wrist injury by firing her free kick through the wall and past the keeper. Milford got the lead in the second half with a big switch of play to the right wing. Kayleigh Tourtellot played the ball back across goal and Kyla Nashawaty was on hand to tap it in. Canton continued to push for the final 20 minutes of the game, but the Hawks were able to hold on for their third win of the year.
King Philip, 1 @ Foxboro, 0 – Final – Dani Lomuscio continued her torrid form at the start of the season, scoring with 10 minutes to play to lift KP to a win over a tenacious Foxboro effort. Lomuscio received a free kick from Ally Pochay and was able to flick it over Foxboro keeper Julia Luck, who had a big game to keep the game scoreless. Foxboro’s defense, including Mia Flanagan, Keira D’Arcy, Sophia Pacella, and Kailey Sullivan, put in a massive shift to keep KP off the board for 70 minutes.
Franklin, 3 @ North Attleboro, 1 – Final – Kelly O’Connor scored twice and assisted a third to help Franklin maintain its unbeaten start to the season. The Panthers scored three times in the first half, with O’Connor getting a pair and assisting on a Vera Hansen goal. Claire Michel and Sophia Horton also recorded assists for the Panthers. North held Franklin scoreless in the second half and got its first goal of the season when Sydney Fortin notched her first varsity goal.
Sharon, 0 @ Mansfield, 4 – Final – Click here for a Photo Gallery from this match. Mansfield scored three times in the second half to pull away from visiting Sharon and earn the win in its first game at the newly renovated Alumni Field. Maddie Buckley got the first goal for the Hornets after just six minutes. Aly Fernandes won the ball back on the end line and dropped a pass back to Buckley who looped a shot inside the far post. The score stayed the same through halftime, but midway through the second half Mansfield struck again. Maddie Fernandes hit a perfect, line drive corner to the back post where Lyla Nappa rose highest and nodded home. Three minutes later, Fernandes got on the board herself when her lofted ball from the right wing eluded the keeper’s grasp and dropped over the line. Just four minutes later, Fernandes added her second of the night. Olivia Dunham’s free kick bounced around in the box and Fernandes was in the right spot to slot the loose ball into the bottom corner.
Taunton, 1 @ Stoughton, 1 – Final – Taunton equalized four minutes into the second half and Stoughton settled for its second straight 1-1 draw, keeping the Black Knights in a tie for first place atop the Davenport division. Makenzie O’Connor opened the scoring off an assist from freshman Sarah Janelli, but shortly after the break, Kaylee Lopes found the bottom right corner to tie the game. Marybel DoRosario picked up the assist. Stoughton’s forwards Bianca Casna, Laila Bernard, and Morgan O’Connor kept the pressure on Taunton’s back line, and Tigers keeper Ashlyn Hebert made 17 saves to preserve a point. Taunton nearly snatched the win with a pair of late chances that were inches wide. Tigers coach Dan Borges praised his team’s work ethic in a tough, physical match. Defenders Madison Crowley and Meaghan Cunningham and midfielder Ava Uhl each had big performances for the Tigers, while midfielders Morgan Cook and Lindsey Mitchell and defender Lauren Mitchell stood out for Stoughton.
Volleyball
Attleboro, 3 @ Franklin, 0 – Final – Attleboro prevailed in a very tight first set and used that momentum to run away with a 3-0 sweep (27-25, 25-14, 25-15) on the road against Kelley-Rex rival Franklin. It was a balanced offensive approach as the Bombardiers got strong performances at the net from Julia Leonardo (11 kills, 12 digs), Addie Shelton (12 kills), Olivia Leonardo (seven kills), and Ellie Shelton (five kills) while Haley Carter (24 assists, four aces) and Sophia Jaeger (nine assists) set everything in motion. Sage Young (22 digs) and Julia Mondello (seven digs) boosted the Bombardiers’ defense. Brooke Daniels dished out 18 assists to go along with 11 digs, and the Panthers got five kills apiece from Gianna Laurello, Emerson Delleo (seven digs), and Makayla Kuykendall (16 digs).
Foxboro, 2 vs. West Bridgewater, 3 – Final
Milford, 0 @ King Philip, 3 – Final – After suffering a heartbreaking five-set setback on Wednesday, King Philip bounced back in a big way with a 3-0 sweep (25-21, 25-12, 25-17) of visiting Milford. Seniors Fiona Bailey (nine kills), Jessica Hansen (seven kills), and Avery Reda (six kills) anchored the offense for the Warriors while senior Alex Pauline (18 digs) and junior Mya McCormick (10 digs) played well defensively.
Canton, 3 @ Oliver Ames, 2 – Final – In a battle of Davenport division contenders and Hockomock heavyweights, Canton prevailed with a super tight five-set win over rival Oliver Ames (21-25, 25-20, 25-18, 17-15). “It was a great high school match against a very strong OA team,” relayed Canton head coach Pat Cawley. Senior Sally Hoban had one of the biggest games of her career with 23 kills along with 12 digs and two aces while Charlotte Clyve gave the Dogs a big boost with 12 kills and 11 digs. Chloe Dubuisson, MJ Robbins, and Ife Ajanaku were strong in the middle combining for 11 kills and seven blocks while junior Erin Bigham had a great all-around match with 41 assists, 13 digs, four kills, four blocks, and an ace. Soley Rodriguez Martinez and Melanie McDonough were both strong defensively and at the service line for Canton. OA received strong performances offensively from sophomore Chelsea Wagner (13 kills) and senior Addyson Smock (12 kills), a strong defensive performance from Ava Barth (33 digs), and sophomore Lyla McDonough played well at setter with 26 assists and four aces.
Sharon, 3 @ Taunton, 1 – Final – Click here for a Photo Gallery from this match.
Field Hockey
Attleboro, 0 @ Franklin, 3 – Final – Franklin scored once in each of the first three quarters to extend its winning streak to seven to start the season with a 3-0 win over a stingy Attleboro squad. Ella Marzullo (from Haley Wernig) scored in the first quarter, Sawyer Whitmore (from Maddie O’Brien and Wernig) converted a corner chance in the second, and Raena Crandall (unassisted) added one in the third for the Panthers. Devon Barry (one save) and Chloe Strassner (four saves) each played a half to combine for the shutout. Attleboro goalie Siany Ortez-Amaya was busy in the net for the Bombardiers, making 19 saves while both Nile Kerr and Cassandra Fisante each had a defensive save. Nora Desrosiers played a great game at the bottom of the diamond alongside Makenzie Aveiro at center defense for the Bombardiers.
Milford, 1 @ King Philip, 7 – Final – King Philip erupted for six goals in the first half and never looked back in a 7-1 verdict over visiting Milford. Sophomore Ella Morgan recorded a hat trick, including two goals in the first quarter, and Makenzie McDevitt scored the other first quarter goal for the Warriors. Kaitlyn Ceurvels, Mia Costa, and Lucy Weineck each netted their first career goals in the win for KP.
Sharon, 2 @ Taunton, 5 – Final – Taunton’s Bella Coughlin scored twice and the Tigers got a goal from three other players in a win at home, 5-2, over visiting Sharon. Coughlin scored twice, one off of an assist from Camryn Emond and the other unassisted, to spearhead the attack. Logan Wade scored a goal and assisted on a tally from Caroline Vallarelli, and Kelsey Rogers added an unassisted goal in the win. Taunton sophomore Kennedy MacEachern made seven saves in net for the Tigers.
Canton, 5 @ Oliver Ames, 0 – Final
Golf
Attleboro, 146 @ Taunton, 154 – Final – Senior Chris McMahon had a strong performance on the course at Segregansett Country Club, leading Attleboro to a key win over Taunton. McMahon birdied the second, fourth, and seventh holes and carded a two-under-par round of 34 to earn medalist honors for the Bombardiers, who finished just two over as a team. Jacob Bettencourt (birdies on five and seven) finished at an even par36 while both Tyler Veronesi and Wes Butler shot 38 on the day. Taunton’s Alex Dias shot a one-over par round of 37 to lead the Tigers, who also got scoring from Colby Emond (38), Jon McGrath (39), and Jameson Vallrelli (40).
Oliver Ames, 158 @ Sharon, 163 – Final – Oliver Ames senior Braden Shapiro fired a medalist round of 37 to lead the Tigers to a crossover win over Sharon. Matthew Drohen added a 38 in the win while Colin Costello (38) and Anthony Rhodes (42) also factored into the scoring for the visiting Tigers. Sharon’s Josh Binder carded a team-low round of 38, Benny Hertzel added a 40, David Kang chipped in with a 40, and both Ethan Sparacino and Sarah Scappaticci finished the day at 43.
Mansfield, 161 @ Milford, 160 – Final – For the second straight day, Milford earned a dramatic one-stroke win, with an identical 160-161 score. A day after edging Sharon on the road by that score, the Hawks got the win at home over Mansfield. Milford’s Zach Hipolito and Mansfield’s Chase McDonald earned co-medalist honors after both shooting a 38 on the day. Robbie DeGasperis (40), Joe Butler (41), and Ricky Nashawaty (41) also scored in the win for Milford. Sophomore Gavin Garnett added a 40 for the Hornets, Brendan Vokey added a 41, and Thomas Gormley, Hayden O’Connor, and Anthony Diieso all shot 42 for Mansfield.
North Attleboro, 148 @ Stoughton, 201 – Final
Foxboro, 151 @ Canton, 159 – Final – Foxboro secured one of its biggest wins of the season with a 151-159 victory on the road at Blue Hill Country Club against division rival Canton. Ryan Wood had his second straight big performance, securing match medalist honors once again after firing an even-par round of 34 for the Warriors. Zac Georgantas added a 37, Mike Ruo shot a 39, and Ryan O’Leary rounded out the scoring with one of his best performances of the season with a 41. Huck McCready had a team-low score of 37 for the hosts, Travis Thomas added a 38, Joey Ryan shot a 41, and Teddy Shuman finished the day with a 43 for the Bulldogs.
Tuesday’s Schedule & Scoreboard – 09/10/24
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Attleboro Rallies to Win Five-Set Thriller at Canton
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Tuesday’s Schedule & Scoreboard – 09/03/24
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2024 Hockomock League Volleyball Preview
By HockomockSports.com Staff
2024 Hockomock League Volleyball Preview
Attleboro
2023 Record: 15-7
Coach: Mary Katherine Blakney
Attleboro has proven that their rise to the top of the Hockomock League wasn’t a one or two year fluke. The Bombardiers, fresh off back-to-back trips to the MIAA Division 1 quarterfinals, have the potential for a big season.
With a ton of firepower returning at the net, Attleboro might have one of the most dangerous attacks in not just the Hock but in the state. Senior Julia Leonardo, a three-time Hockomock League All Star, is the most experienced player in the league and also one of the most talented hitters in the league. Many defenses have struggled with her power and she’s a reliable option on the outside. But the Bombardiers are far from a one-trick pony: senior Addie Shelton had a breakout season in 2023 and quickly established herself as a top attacking option, senior Ellie Shelton is a strong two-way option in the middle that provides good net defense and strong swings, and sophomore Olivia Leonardo showed some flashes as a rookie a year ago and gives Attleboro yet another weapon.
The Bombardiers will have to replace another three-time Hock all star in setter Natalie Brojek, who graduated this past spring. Head coach Mary Katherine Blakney has some good options to work with though with in junior Haley Carter (206 assists a year ago as a sophomore), who has good varsity experience, and in freshman Sophia Jaeger, who has impressed early on. Senior Julia Mondello returns to anchor the defense after registering a team-high 221 digs a year ago while junior Sage Young and sophomore Sienna Quaglia give the Bombardiers good depth defensively. Juniors Nancy Ayesiyenga and Victoria Zaldivia round out a talented attacking group.
“Attleboro is looking to strengthen our mental toughness and play smarter than we have in the past,” Blakney said. “We have so much potential on the roster this year and I look forward to putting in the work to make this our most impactful team yet.”
2024 Hockomock League Volleyball Preview
Canton
2023 Record: 24-1 (Davenport division champions)
Coach: Pat Cawley
It’s always a tough act to follow coming off an appearance in a state championship game, but the current crop of Bulldogs is a talented one, and head coach Pat Cawley is looking at this season as a new beginning.
Canton has a good mix of returners and several players eager to find a spot in the lineup for this season. As the Bulldogs look to fit all of the pieces to the puzzle together, head coach Pat Cawley will lean on some talented returning pieces. Senior captains Sally Hoban (176 kills in 2023) and Charlotte Clyve will be counted on for their leadership both on and off the court, and will set the tone at the net as outside hitters. Canton also boasts one of the best setters in the state in junior Erin Bigham, who has already dished out over 1,000 career assists — just one of five players in program history to do so. With two years of varsity experience already under her belt, Bigham will be the quarterback on the floor for an offense looking to incorporate some new faces.
Two of those new faces are senior middle Ife Ajanaku and junior middle Chloe Dubuisson. Both players got a little taste of varsity last year but after the Dogs graduated both of their middles from last year’s 24-1 squad (Fatima Sidibay, Kaitlin Bigham), they will certainly see expanded roles in the 2024 season. Another new addition to the offense will be junior MJ Robbins, who will get some swings on the outside. Defensively, the Bulldogs have always been one of the top squads under Cawley and they have their centerpiece from last year’s squad back to anchor the back row in sophomore Soley Rodriguez Martinez. Last year’s HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year emerged as one of the best defensive players in the state and the Dogs will turn to senior Jess Hooton and junior Melanie McDonough to help bolster the back row.
“Every year in high school sports is a new beginning and here we are again!” Cawley said. “A new season brings new challenges as well as optimism that this 2024 group can leave their own legacy at CHS. Although we lost much of our 2023 team, with Soley leading the passing and Erin doing the bulk of the setting, we expect to be in the hunt. We have a great group of talented and hard-working players, and we look forward to seeing what the season will bring. Every day in the Hock is a test!”
Foxboro
2023 Record: 1-19
Coach: Dave Griffin
Entering their second year under head coach Dave Griffin, and with a healthier roster this time out, Foxboro is aiming to have a bounce-back season in 2024.
The Warriors boast an experienced senior class eager to show improvement from a year ago. Senior captains Ava Hill, Emma Callahan, and Lauren Avery will lead the way while classmates Lily Arnold and Vittoria Cuscia will provide key depth. Both Hill and Callahan suffered season-ending injuries a year ago but are looking to make their marks in their final seasons. Junior Meghan Kelley is another key contributor with varsity experience who should play a big role this year. Hill is a proven weapon at the net as an outside hitter while Callahan will set the offense in motion from the setter spot. Griffin is also looking for junior Erin O’Malley and sophomore Audrey Magee to play substantial roles for the Warriors this season while freshman Maddie Feetham could make an immediate impact in her rookie season.
“With the leadership of [our] seniors, Foxboro is looking for a much-improved season this year,” Griffin said.
franklin
2023 Record: 19-3 (Kelley-Rex division champions)
Head Coach: Emily Carens
Year after year, Franklin continues to lose some of the top players in the Hockomock League to graduation but these Panthers seem to find a way to reload each fall.
Emily Carens takes over at the helm for the season after spending the past two seasons on Sam Redmond’s staff. Carens was a standout player at Worcester State and was selected to the MASCAC All-Conference First Team three times in her career. While the Panthers will have to find replacements for a handful of key players, like four-year starter Taylor Lacerda, Carens has a strong pool of talented players back in the mix for the 2024 season. Junior Makayla Kuykendall already has two years of varsity experience and has established herself as one of the best all-around players in the league. Junior middle Olivia Alberti is coming off a breakout season and gives Franklin a legitimate threat at the net both offensive and defensively.
Carens also has a strong senior class in Brooke Daniels, Olivia Valante, and Faith Edgehill. That trio of players brings a wealth of varsity experience and their leadership of a team that will feature some new faces will be vital in Carens’ first year at the helm.
“One strength is our balance,” Carens said. “We are focusing on ‘One Team’ mentality this year. Everyone will positively contribute both offensively and defensively.”
King Philip
2023 Record: 12-9
Coach: Kristen Geuss
King Philip featured a lot of new faces last season as they battled to a 12-win season, highlighted by a season sweep of Attleboro and good battles with division champions Canton and Franklin. Many of those new faces are back this year and are looking to use the experience gained last year to get back in the division title hunt.
Captain Fiona Bailey highlights a talented group of seniors eager to make their mark. Bailey, a HockomockSports.com Second Team selection at outside hitter, will be a major weapon at the net for the Warriors. Senior captain Tamanda Clarke brings leadership and experience to the net while classmates Avery Reda (middle) and Anna Vinson (opposite) offer solid depth in the attack. Senior Alex Pauline will anchor the defense and there will be a familiar face back at setter with senior Madison Asprelli, who dished out 216 assists last year, returns to orchestrate the offense.
Junior Cece Kilroy played in a variety of roles last year and showed off some power at the net, adding another experienced hitter at the net for KP. Senior Jessica Hansen, juniors Shayne Dugan and Alli Cleasby, and sophomore Amie O’Neil are newcomers to the squad that will bolster the offense. The Warriors are hoping that having more experience at the net will result an improved offensive attack this year. Junior Cece Mullen is another option at setter, and juniors Caleigh Shore and Mya McCormick round out KP’s defensive group.
“King Philip is working hard to be a stronger team than last year,” said head coach Kristen Geuss, now in her 10th year in charge. “We have a little more experience in key positions which should help us. The team is ready to get the season started!”
Mansfield
2023 Record: 9-8
Coach: Tara DeGirolamo
Mansfield reached the postseason in three straight seasons and with a strong group of returning players, fourth-year head coach Tara DeGirolamo and the Hornets will be looking to make it four in a row.
Not only does Mansfield have experienced players back overall, the Hornets return them to key positions all over the floor. Senior captain Olivia Richard, who is committed to play at Sarah Lawrence College, returns as a threat both offensive and defensively in the middle while senior captain Laurel Campbell provides a veteran option at outside hitter. Junior Gabrielle Moore is coming off a breakout sophomore season and will be the rock in the back row as the libero for the Hornets. Junior Tessa Blacquier has a year of varsity experience setting already and will help set everything in motion for the Hornets.
Another breakout player from last year is Riley Austin, who can make plays all over the court. A six-position player, Austin provides the Hornets with some versatility in the front row with swings from the right side. Senior captain Emma Jakubenas and juniors Amy Zajac and Ava Madeira will be tasked with anchoring the defensive group for the Hornets. DeGirolamo also has a strong group of newcomers pushing for playing time. Junior Abigail King is a versatile option while sophomores Ellie McGrath (middle), Olivia Dubose (setter), Maddy Wisdom (outside), and Maddy Zinn (outside) are all looking to contribute.
“These girls worked hard in the offseason and it showed at tryouts,” DeGirolamo said. “We have a talented mix of returning and new players and I am excited to watch them compete this season.”
Milford
2023 Record: 4-16
Coach: Tammy Webber
After reaching the playoffs two seasons ago, Milford had some struggles a year ago but the Hawks are eager to show improvement this fall.
It’s still a younger group this year but Milford does have some good varsity experience on the roster. Senior captains Claudia Solitro and TJ Downing will lead the charge offensively at the net. Solitro (84 kills) and Downing (80 kills) were Milford’s top two hitters last year and are looking to set the tone at the net again this year. Senior Julianys Rentas is a newcomer to the team and looking to provide depth to the outsider hitter spot. Sophomore Abby Murphy was an instant contributor as a rookie with 56 kills as a rookie and is looking to take the next step this year while junior Layanne Maforte is a candidate to fill the other middle spot for the Hawks.
Juniors Sam Denegris and Dani Darling along with senior Laysa Cunha provide Milford with some good size at the net for blocking. In the back row, sophomore Isa Grady-Harper (73 digs) will bring experience after playing as a freshman while senior Gianna Lebron and juniors Lucia Testa and Emma Ridolfi will look to shore up the defense. After the graduation of Maeve Driscoll, the Hawks will be looking for a new setter for the 2024 campaign. Sophomore Lina Lyubkin and freshmen Brooke Stokes and Aaliyah Campos are battling it out in the preseason to try and earn minutes in the rotation.
“Our strengths should be in our passing and serving this year, as well as in our size,” said Milford head coach Tammy Webber. “We have more athleticism and depth in positions than we have had in a while, which is a positive for us.”
North Attleboro
2023 Record: 6-12
Coach: Rachel Gould
North Attleboro will feature a lot of new faces in its lineup this year so head coach Rachel Gould will look for the team’s senior captains to lead the way.
Noemie Eugene and Natalee Fisher have set the tone and the Rocketeers have followed and the team chemistry has been gelling already this preseason. On top of their leadership both on and off of the court, both Eugene and Fisher will be key contributors during each match. Eugene is coming off a very strong season and was a HockomockSports.com Second Team selection at middle. She was second on the team in kills (108) with a 0.324 hitting percentage and was a force at the net defensively with 64 blocks. Fisher gives the Rocketeers a 1-2 punch as another middle option at the net and another strong defensive (29 blocks piece).
North will have to fill in a lot of other spots in the lineup but Gould has been impressed with the hard work that her team has put in so far. Senior Rebekah Martin and sophomore Ava Kraskous will step in to take swings on the outside and junior Deanna Miconi will take over as the setter and look to orchestrate the Rocketeers’ offense.
“Overall I am excited this year,” Gould said. “We have a younger group of first-time varsity players but I think the leadership from my seniors is going to create some great moments from us. I am impressed with the hard work everyone has clearly put in during the offseason and the work ethic I have seen during our practices.”
Oliver Ames
2023 Record: 17-6
Coach: Chelsea Cunningham
Oliver Ames is coming off a terrific 17-win campaign and the Tigers are looking to pick up right where they left off when the season tips off this week.
The Tigers feature experienced veterans in key spots throughout the rotation which puts them in a good spot for competing for the Davenport division title. Senior middle Addyson Smock enters her fourth year on the team and will be a force at the net. On top of being one of the most powerful hitters in the league, her blocks give OA an edge on the defensive side. Smock will also be the beneficiary of having setter Clare Kavolius back to orchestrate the OA offense. With over 1,000 career assists, Kavolius is one of the more experienced players in the league and already having chemistry with Smock, one of the league’s top hitters, gives the Tigers an immediate boost.
Senior Ava Barth will take on an expanded role to anchor the defense this year. OA lost its top three players in digs from last year, including libero Rachel Fleischman, so having someone like Barth, who has good varsity experience, will help set the tone in the back row. Head coach Chelsea Cunningham will turn to seniors Jamie Finn and Caroline Hansen to help bolster the attack at the net while sophomore Taylor Donohue provides some flexibility at the net and brings a lot of energy. Sophomore Lyla McDonough will also take on some setting responsibility alongside Kavolius while newcomers junior Angelina Romeiro and sophomores Molly Milliken and Chelsea Wagner are all battling for spots in the rotation.
“We have so much potential this season to pick up where we left off last season which is something we will not take for granted,” Cunningham said. “We have many athletes that are willing to do whatever it takes to meet our goals and work together as much as possible along the way. We have so many options offensively and defensively that whoever is out on the court, at any point, is going to make it count. Beyond the skills, the team is just an awesome group of student-athletes- and the energy and competition is a whole new vibe that we are embracing every day.”
Sharon
2023 Record: 4-14
Coach: Matt Laliberte
Sharon volleyball begins a new chapter in program history with new head coach Matt Laliberte. Laliberte brings experience at both the high school and collegiate level, having coached varsity at Middleboro and was an assistant coach at nearby Stonehill College.
As Laliberte gets acclimated with the Eagles, he will look to Sharon’s returning players to lead the way especially early on. Senior Piper Hanna is an experienced outside hitter that can also factor in defensively on the serve receive while senior Thea Caproni brings a veteran presence at the net as a middle, contributing both offensively with some attacks and defensively with the block. Defensively, senior Willow Liu is a leader in the back row that provides a steady presence in both the serve receive and against the attack. Freshmen Lucy Leonardi and Lia Zephrani are candidates to make an immediate impact this season.
“We are in a building year with a new coaching staff,” Laliberte said. “We are hopeful for our young players that will be playing in important and impactful roles.”
Stoughton
2023 Record: 4-16
Coach: Tricia Lewis
The Black Knights enter the season with big hopes of a bounce-back season in 2024.
Stoughton strung together three straight wins at the end of September last season but struggled throughout October and ultimately missed the playoffs. Although the Knights lost their top two kills leaders from last year to graduation, head coach Tricia Lewis is excited about this year’s offensive group. Reagan Lewis, who just recently announced her commitment to play at the collegiate level at Regis, is one of the more experienced hitters in the league and will lead the charge at the net this year. Senior Jina Kim is another veteran option at the net while junior Jacqueline Boutros and sophomore Imani Ashu are newcomers that give Stoughton a lot of options at the net.
Defensively, senior Amy Nguyen returns at the libero spot to anchor the back row. Junior Faith Sekenduyo will be another reliable option defensively while both Lewis and Boutros will contribute in the back row as well. Sophomore Ayla Huang will step in as setter this year while Lewis (171 assists last year) can step in and set while manning the back row.
“Last season we struggled to come together as a team on the court, [but] this year’s team is a completely different team that has a lot of heart and has already shown to work well together,” Tricia Lewis said.
Taunton
2023 Record: 6-14
Coach: Toby Chaperon
There’s some optimism and excitement in the Taunton program, which will feature a lot of new faces and talented younger players eager to compete in the Hock — but also a group that lacks a lot of varsity experience.
One of the players with that varsity experience is senior middle Adrianna Amaral, who will be a key piece at the net both offensively and defensively for the Tigers. Amaral is one of five seniors on the squad along with setter Ali D’Acci, who will help run Taunton’s 6-2 offense, defensive specialist Arianna Boliero, middle and opposite hitter Lea Selfridge, and outside hitter Lily Velsor. With seniors scattered all throughout the court, their leadership will be key for a young squad.
Another player back in the mix with varsity experience is sophomore Sadie Herry. Already entering her third year on varsity, Herry knows what it takes to handle opposing attacks from some of the top hitters in the league and has asserted herself in the conversion for top defensive players in the league. Sophomore Emily Dias is another option in the back row for the Tigers after getting some experience last year. Junior Grace Bennett can play anywhere on the court and will help in the setting game while juniors Jazzlyn Martinez, Brynn Murphy, Lindsey Pena, and Calvinne Dwuye are all looking to solidify Taunton’s attack at the net. While Taunton figures out its offense, it will lean on its serving which has been a strength throughout the preseason.
“Offensively, we are going to be a work in progress as we work with two new setters and still trying to find another outside hitter and middle but our girls have come in with a good attitude and work ethic so we believe we can get that part of the game ramped up,” said longtime head coach Toby Chaperon. “We look forward to another year playing in one of the best and most competitive conferences in the state and hope we can get back to the tournament this year.”