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.”

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.”