2008 Lancers in the News
Lancer Head Coach Finalist For AVCA Media Award
Monday, June 9, 2008
The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) is proud to announce that George Mulry, has been selected as a Finalist of the 2007-08 AVCA Grant Burger Media Award.
The award was created to recognize members of the media who have been involved in the advancement of the sport of volleyball.
The AVCA expanded the media award’s scope in 2004-05 by having a finalist in four different categories: broadcast, print, web and sports information/athletic communications.
AVCA Grant Burger Media Award Finalists
Category: Finalist, Affiliation
Broadcast: Kyle Doperalski, New Mexico State University Aggie Vision
Print: Dan Kauffman, Hagerstown (Md. Herald-Mail
Web: George Mulry, www.LongmeadowVolleyball.com
Sports Info: Shamus McKnight, University of Nebraska
Mulry is the head volleyball coach at Longmeadow High School in Longmeadow, MA. Not only has Mulry established himself as a successful coach, but he has also taken extra steps in promoting his program, and volleyball as a whole, by launching www.LongmeadowVolleyball.com. Longmeadow High School is only one of a handful of schools in Massachusetts that has created and maintained a volleyball Web site for its team and the only school in Western Massachusetts to consistently post match statistics, game briefs and video clips, as well as local news content, after each match. Realizing that volleyball is not a mainstream sport in the state, Mulry has also created a “Fan Resources” page, including a downloadable Spectator’s Guide, Guide to Referee’s Signals, and statistics breakdown. In addition, he created a “Player Resources” page that includes information about college recruiting, position specific tips, a program handbook, articles, camps, etc.
“Coach Mulry has made a tremendous impact on volleyball in Western Massachusetts, both on and off the court,” according to Longmeadow Athletic Director Michael Deary. “Coach Mulry and LongmeadowVolleyball.com are just another example of how coaches go far beyond their duties to give back to the sport they love, and give their players and sport the recognition they deserve.”
About AVCA Grant Burger Media Award
The AVCA Grant Burger Media Award is an honor intended to recognize members of the media who have been involved in the advancement of the sport of volleyball, whether it be through consistent coverage in all mediums (sports information, print, broadcasting and web content), production of volleyball-specific publications or extensive radio and/or television exposure. It is named in honor of Grant Burger, former Director of Sports Information and Associate Director of the AVCA (1988-92), whose hard work, innovative mind, knowledge and enthusiasm took the areas of media relations and publications at the AVCA to a higher level and increased awareness of the sport of volleyball nationwide.
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Lancers Recognized For Academic Excellence
Wednesday, August 5, 2008
Accolades for the Longmeadow High School girl’s volleyball team just keep coming. This past fall the Lancers won their first league and Western Massachusetts championship in program history. In June, Longmeadow head coach George Mulry was named a finalist for the Grant Burger Media Award by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) for the team website (www.LongmeadowVolleyball.com).
On July 29, 2008 the AVCA announced the Lancer volleyball team as only the third Massachusetts high school to receive the Team Academic Award. Waltham High School received the award in 2006 and Bourne High School was a recipient in 2007 & 2008.
The award, which was initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, honors collegiate and high school volleyball teams that displayed excellence in the classroom during the school year by maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative team grade-point average on a 4.0 scale or a 4.10 cumulative team GPA on a 5.0 scale.
Over 900 different schools have earned the award in the program’s 16-year history, and over 2,800 awards have been given out, only three to Massachusetts high school teams. During the 2007 volleyball season the hard working lancers maintained an amazing 3.71 cumulative grade point average.
“Academics are first and foremost,” said Longmeadow Head Coach George Mulry. “I’ve pushed practices back an hour so players can get extra help and tutoring after school. The girls just have an amazing work ethic and great time management.”
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Longmeadow Opens Defense of Girls Volleyball Title
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
By: Mike Bogen
mbogen@repub.com
Longmeadow 3, Minnechaug 0: All-Scholastic setter Natalie Zucker assisted on 16 points and blocked three balls as host Longmeadow opened defense of its Western Massachusetts Division II championship with a 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-23) victory over Minnechaug Regional.
Andrea Davis added 6 kills and Lynsey Keator 2 for the Lancers, while Camryn Falvey had 11 digs and Julie McWilliams five kills for the Falcons.
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Volleyball Starts Freshman Team
Thursday, September 4, 2008
By: Jessica Feign, Jet Jotter
As the fall sports teams get ready for the upcoming season, the volleyball program is stepping up its game. The Varsity coach of the defending Western Mass. champions, George Mulry, plans on getting Longmeadow volleyball serious acknowledgement this season. "Up until last year, the program was middle of the road. But last year was a big year for earning some respect", said Mulry.
Mulry is entering his second season as the Varsity had coach and though he doesn't plan on changing his strategy, he wants to build on what was accomplished last year. Varsity defeated Amherst last season to claim the Western Mass. crown, before falling to a tough Westborough squad in the state semi-finals. "Last year was our first year winning Western Mass., let alone getting there. It was a huge step", commented returning Junior Katelyn Boutin.
Varsity lost six seniors, and is returning only four starters from the team that went 21-3 a year ago. Despite losing more than half of the team, in particular several key members of last year's strong defense, Mulry is confident in his lineup entering this season. "I feel Varsity is even stronger than last year. we graduated a lot of leadership and defensive power, but the girls this year are really stepping it up," he said.
In addition to the Varsity and JV teams, Longmeadow will also be adding a JV-B team this season. Comprised entirely of freshman, the team will play against select other schools with JV-B teams. Their opponents will be Amherst, Agawam, East Longeadow, and Frontier. The girls have been developing their skills through the middle school program, which was intended to train the girls for high school level volleyball, prior to this year. In addition to playing against other JV-B teams, JV-B will also play weekend tournaments/jamboree's with the middle school training program and other JV/JV-B teams.
As the summer wrapped up, volleyball was having two-a-day practices and will continue their hard work into the school year. So what is Mulry's ultimate goal for this year? "We want to do some serious damage in the state tournament and really put Longmeadow volleyball on the map." They will receive a good gauge of where they stand right out of the gate, as they host Minnechaug on September 3 and take on Amherst in the following match.
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No Surprise This Time
Sunday, September 7, 2008
By: Jason Remillard
jremillard@repub.com
No one will be able to overlook the Longmeadow High School volleyball team this season.
The Lancers caught many by surprise in 2007 by finishing undefeated in the Eastern Division at 16-0, went 18-2 overall and won their first Western Massachusetts Division II title.
Although several key contributors from that team graduated, second-year coach George Mulry is optimistic that his squad can be a major contender this fall.
"We have a similar look as last year," Mulry said. "Last year, we did fly under the radar for almost all the season. Everyone's going to be gunning for us now, and it's something new for them."
Whereas Longmeadow made its biggest impact last season on the defensive end, Mulry expects to cover those losses by preaching a team concept. The biggest hole is at libero, where senior Jenna Carando will slide in to replace All-Scholastic first-teamer Samantha Burton.
The Lancers' net players aren't exempt from playing "D," either. A pair of All-Scholastic first-team selections - seniors Andrea Davis and Natalie Zucker - return, and should continue their solid play on both ends.
"We're putting a lot more pressure on our outside hitters to come back and play a little more defense and serve-receive," said Mulry, a former Holyoke High School standout and University of Massachusetts club player. "This year, we've really beefed up our offense."
Senior Lynsey Keator came on strong toward the end of 2007, and has become a player Mulry hopes will break through further this season.
"She's our gentle giant at 6-foot-2," Mulry said. "She's always been a little bit timid and tentative, but she's becoming more vocal and aggressive."
A sectional championship was big, for sure, but Mulry is just as proud of his team's work in the classroom. In July, the Lancers became only the third high school team in Massachusetts to receive a Team Academic Award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association since its inception in the early 1990s. Longmeadow compiled an in-season grade point average of 3.71 in 2007.
"The tradition of athletics at Longmeadow is amazing," said Mulry, who was nominated for the AVCA's Grant Burger Media Award for
longmeadowvolleyball.com, the team Web site. "But I think the tradition of academics is just as stellar."
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Frontier Wins Cross-Divisional Showdown
Thursday, September 18, 2008
By: Mike Bogen
mbogen@repub.com
A main event in any arena in the country ... Elvis against Pat Boone, Julia Child taking on a pound of ground round, Ted Williams versus Moby Dick.
Or the reigning Division II Western Massachusetts girls volleyball champion Longmeadow against the three-time Division III titlist Frontier Regional.
Thursday night, the Red Hawks won. Again.
Frontier, which last season handed Longmeadow, in three games, one of its three defeats, put the first blemish on its 2008 record, topping the Lancers in four games, 23-25, 25-22, 25-20, 25-19.
Alyssa Stankowski, the Red Hawks two-time all-state outside hitter, had 12 kills and 15 digs, Fran Cicia, their other returning all-state player, had 15 digs and senior middle hitter Samantha Clairmont added 15 assists to lead Frontier to its sixth victory in as many starts.
Senior setter Natalie Zucker had 29 assists and Andrea Davis had 20 kills and 15 digs for Longmeadow.
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Longmeadow Impresses Opponent's Coach
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
By: Mike Bogen
mbogen@repub.com
The Longmeadow High School girls volleyball team once again asserted itself Wednesday night, scoring a four-game victory over Minnechaug Regional High School that left a major impression on Falcons coach Steve Jarvis.
"That's one of the better teams in our league, and it deserves to be," Jarvis said after the Lancers had scored a 25-19, 25-16, 23-25, 25-18 Eastern Division victory over the host Falcons.
Natalie Zucker, as usual, was at the center of Longmeadow's game, with a 27-assist night. Andrea Davis had 16 kills and Lynsey Keator four blocks for the Lancers.
"They're very consistent, very well coached and they've got some talented girls who have a lot of height," Jarvis said
And, it was Longmeadow's strength, not Minnechaug's weakness, that enabled the Lancers to prevail, according to Jarvis.
"We kept up with them, but we'd hit a certain point of the game and get hurt by some mistakes," the coach said. "Even though we have a number of seniors, we're a young team in terms of experience. The girls haven't got a lot of experience at a permanent position."
"For the first time, they're being asked to play both front and back, and that's not something you just pick up. It takes time. We're not quite there yet, but we're working on it," he said.
Caroline Boyd had six kills and eight blocks to pace Minnechaug, while Mary Wagner added five kills and Tiffany Carhart four aces for the Falcons.
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East Longmeadow Falls From the Ranks of the Unbeaten
Friday, October 17, 2008
By: Mike Bogen
mbogen@repub.com
And then there was one.
Three teams entered Pioneer Valley high school volleyball games with undefeated records Friday night, and only one, Frontier Regional, escaped unscathed as Longmeadow defeated previously unbeaten East Longmeadow, and West Springfield handed Chicopee Comprehensive its first loss.
Longmeadow 3, East Longmeadow 2: The Lancers came back from an 0-2 deficit to spoil a herculean effort by East Longmeadow's Jesse Schnepp and hand the host Spartans their first loss in 15 matches, 12-25, 16-25, 25-23, 25-21, 15-9.
Andrea Davis had 10 kills, Natalie Zucker 26 assists and 14 kills and Caroline Martin 8 digs and seven kills for the Lancers, who are 12-3 overall and, like East Longmeadow, 12-1 in Eastern Division play. The Spartans won the first meeting of the neighboring schools, also in five games.
Schnepp had 28 kills and 19 digs for East Longmeadow and Nicole Moleski added 17 assists for the Spartans.
"Longmeadow's offense really picked up (after the first two games) and our defense couldn't keep up with it," East Longmeadow coach Melanie Dzioba said. "And, I think we sort of ran out of steam at the end. It was our Senior Night, and we had an intense start."
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Longmeadow Battles Back to Defeat Amherst
Monday, October 27, 2008
By: Chris Kennedy
ckennedy@repub.com
When it was finished, the Longmeadow High School girls volleyball team was still standing.
Longmeadow won the fifth and deciding game, 15-9, to complete a comeback against visiting Amherst in a match of premier Eastern Division teams.
Amherst won the first two sets, 25-21 and 25-22, before the Lancers rebounded to win 25-22 and 25-16. The Hurricanes played superb defense, but the ball started to drop for the Lancers as the match progressed.
Andrea Davis had 26 kills for Longmeadow. Natalie Zucker added 12 and Lynsey Keator 15. Heather Mears had 28 assists and Jenn Mears 20 digs for the Hurricanes.
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Volleyball Excellence in Black and White
Saturday, November 1, 2008
By: John Botelho
Western Mass Sports Journal
While the Longmeadow High school football team has received notoriety for its unprecedented success, the school's girls' volleyball team has quietly spent the last couple of seasons establishing itself as one of the elite programs in the region.
After winning the Western Massachusetts Division II crown a year ago, the team is at it again, ranking among the Eastern Division's elite, as well as at the top of the D-II heap.
With Natalie Zucker and Andrea Davis leading the way, setting and hitting respectively, the team has proven itself as a legit force, capable of another postseason run. Clinching a tournament berth early in October and wrapping up the regular season with a 15-3 record has allowed the girls to prepare for tournament life.
"We're hoping to win the rest of our matches. Hopefully, we can win Western Mass again, and do some damage at states," said Davis.
The Lancers' roster boasts five seniors, each of whom have been a part of the program for multiple years and helped it grow into its new championship status.
"I feel like all the seniors have had a huge impact on the success of our team. We're a much different team now than we were (when the girls came into the program)," said Zucker. "We've all worked really, really hard and have all been a huge part of what (the team has) become."
That hard work has paid dividends this season. The team's three losses came against formidable foes: fellow Western Mass champ, Frontier Regional School, which claimed the Division III title a year ago, upstart East Longmeadow, and Cumberland, Maine, powerhouse Greely High School, which has won five consecutive state titles.
Besides beating some of the top teams in the area, the Lancer girls also have the experience and knowledge of what it takes to win on some pretty hefty stages.
But one of the things that helps the Lancers excel in everything they do is that their relationships don't end on the court. They hang out as a group of friends doing everything together from going to football games and taking haunted hay rides.
On the court, though, they've learned exactly what they need to do to reach the top once again.
"As a team, we just need to stay focused," Davis said. "With the exception of the East Longmeadow match, we've been pretty good about that. We needed an ego check. We all just got pretty complacent, and that (loss) reminded us that we need to play this season one game at a time."
With the postseason tournament upon them, the Lancers must heed that advice now more than ever. with five seniors saddling up for their final postseason rodeo, it's a safe assumption that nobody wants this season to end without another title.
So, if Longmeadow remains focused and plays each point like it is the most important of the season, there may be no limit to what the 2008 Lancers can accomplish.
Another Western Mass championship - and perhaps more than that - would not only further establish the Longmeadow volleyball reputation, but also get people in the area talking Longmeadow's "other" fall sports powerhouse. And while it's recognition the girls certainly don't need, it is, most definitely, well-deserved.
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Longmeadow Survives Quarter-Final Scare
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
By: Mike Bogen
mbogen@repub.com
Longmeadow 3, West Springfield 2: It is surprising, sometimes, the extent to which a small thing can have a big impact.
Tuesday night, Longmeadow senior Andrea Davis, a returning All-Scholastic player, hit a kill toward the end of the fourth game - a game the Lancers were in the process of losing; a game that would send the match to a 15-point tiebreaker.
That kill, according to Longmeadow coach George Mulry, became the spark that enabled the Lancers to defeat the Terriers 15-5 in that tiebreaker and complete a 25-13, 25-18, 13-25, 16-25, 15-5 quarterfinal victory.
"We had a couple of nice runs toward the end of the fourth game and took that into the fifth game," the second-year Lancers coach said. "Andrea got her rhythm with the big kill and that sparked everything.
Davis, who had four (of her 20) kills in the last game, not withstanding, the Lancers had another inspiration, from another All-Scholastic performer.
"Natalie Zucker rallied us together down the stretch," Mulry said. "She settled everything down and started taking charge. It was exactly what we needed."
Lynsey Keator helped Longmeadow with 11 kills and, like Christina Mentor, had six blocks. Steph Lauria added two kills for the Lancers.
Vanessa Ruiz had seven blocks for the tough, seventh-seeded Terriers. Alyssa Danilow had eight kills and Kelly Bryant three aces for West Side.
"Decia DeMaio also played an exceptional game for them," Mulry said.
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Longmeadow Advances to W. Mass Division II Title Game
Thursday, November 6, 2008
By: Fran Sypek
fsypek@repub.com
LONGMEADOW - They survived a first game that was much too close for comfort.
After squeaking past a stubborn Chicopee Comprehensive team, the Longmeadow High School girls volleyball team achieved one goal.
Now the Lancers are prepared to go after their ultimate goal - a championship.
Longmeadow returned to the Western Massachusetts Division II final following a 3-0 sweep of Comp Thursday night. Longmeadow (17-3) and the No. 2 seed, will meet East Longmeadow in Saturday night's final at Holyoke Community College.
It may have been a sweep, but it was hardly a cakewalk for the Lancers, who
played with poise and determination.
"We definitely wanted to play as a team and keep it together," said senior tri-captain Natalie Zucker, who had an impressive 27-assist performance. "We kept our intensity up."
Especially when Comp came out on fire in the opening game. The score was tied at 19 apiece before the Lancers unleashed a powerful attack to close out a 25-22 victory.
"We expected Comp to come out really strong because we knew they wanted to win," said senior tri-captain Andrea Davis, who finished with 15 kills and four aces. "As a team, we're really good at coming back and picking each other up."
They sure did.
Longmeadow claimed the next two games, 25-16, 25-17 to complete the sweep and end an outstanding season for the No. 2 Colts at 19-2. Longmeadow showed why it is the No. 9 ranked team in the state.
"Chicopee Comp put out a great effort in the first game and we sort of took control after that," Longmeadow coach George Mulry said. "We were able to step up our offense and that helped."
Sophomore libero Caroline Martin had 12 digs. Senior Jenna Carando was also a factor.
"Jenna's our defensive specialist," Murly said. "She came up with a lot of big plays."
Comp was led by Brittany Dussault. She had 12 kills, four blocks and six saves.
"We weren't able to completely shut her down," Murly said.
Erin Sweeney had 17 assists and six kills. Kim Abad had 12 defensive digs and J.C. Pickett added six kills and two blocks.
"We came in here fired up and knowing that we had a shot at winning," Comp coach Al Dobson said. "That first game could have gone either way and had it gone our way, I think we would have had some renewed energy going into game two."
Instead, it was the Lancers who opened the second game with a 12-3 lead and never looked back.
"We knew we needed to step it up and we definitely did," Davis said.
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The Battle of the Border Takes the Big Stage
Saturday, November 7, 2008
By: Jason Remillard
jremillard@repub.com
East Longmeadow vs. Longmeadow: It doesn't get much closer than this battle of archrivals - both in proximity and volleyball skill.
Defending champion Longmeadow was beaten out for the No. 1 seed this year by East Longmeadow, but the Lancers feel the experience of winning it all last season should be an advantage in Saturday's 7 p.m. final.
"We're right back where we want to be," senior Andrea Davis said. "We know we can do it now."
The Spartans finally got over the hump of losing to Amherst in the semifinals and are primed to make the most of their first chance in this position, much as Longmeadow did last year.
East Longmeadow tends to go as Jessie Schnepp goes, and the University of New Hampshire-bound senior is ready for this rubber match of teams that split the season series.
"Playing Longmeadow is going to be the best thing. Two of my closest friends play for them," Schnepp said. "I've wanted the best for them all season, but it's going to be an awesome challenge when we play them."
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Longmeadow Clips Top-Seed East Longmeadow in Final
Sunday, November 8, 2008
By: Jason Remillard
jremillard@repub.com
HOLYOKE - Judging by how competitive the matches have been all season among the East Division's elite, one couldn't be blamed for expecting a five-set classic in Saturday's Western Massachusetts Division II final between a pair of archrivals.
Maybe fans brought in some extra snacks and water to be comfortable in their seats at Holyoke Community College as East Longmeadow took on defending champion Longmeadow.
Instead, Longmeadow proved last season's championship was no fluke by disposing of the top tournament seed 25-12, 25-23, 25-12 at the Bartley Center.
"This is, I think, the best match Longmeadow volleyball has ever played, by far, absolutely," said senior Andrea Davis, who led the Lancers with 16 kills.
Longmeadow (18-3) will face North sectional champion Central Catholic (21-0) in a state semifinal at 7 p.m. Thursday at Algonquin Regional High School. The Lancers fell to Westborough in last year's semifinal.
All it took was one set for the Lancers to take the Spartans (17-3) out of their game. Perhaps experience was a factor, as East Longmeadow was making its first appearance in the final. Whether it was jitters or simply better play from Longmeadow, the difference was glaring.
Even with large leads on several occasions, the Lancers never took their foot off the gas.
"We learned pretty quickly this season that no lead is safe," Longmeadow coach George Mulry said. "I have never seen this Longmeadow team play with the intensity they did tonight."
The only hiccup, if it can be called one, was the second set. Actually, it was the type of set that was to be expected from these teams, who split the regular-season series. East Longmeadow led by as much as 20-15 before Longmeadow chipped away.
Soon it was 20-20, but the Lancers didn't take the lead until a Christina Mentor block made it 24-23. The Spartans could not return Natalie Zucker's ensuing serve, setting off another wild celebration for the girls in black and white.
"We definitely stayed nervous the entire game," said Zucker, who handed out 23 assists. "We knew they could come back any time. They wanted this just as bad as we did, so we had to keep it up."
Longmeadow benefited from some players who normally don't garner a lot of attention. Caroline Martin made 11 digs, and Steph Lauria had 5 kills and five aces and played well all around. Lynsey Keator and Christina Mentor added five blocks and Jenna Carando chased down some tough balls on defense.
"I'm still in shock," Davis said, clutching the champions' trophy. "I feel like we were just here."
East Longmeadow's stellar senior, Jessie Schnepp, was taken out of her game to an extent, although she showed flashes of her brilliance in the second set. Emily Pansa played very good defense, and Caitlin Murray also played well.
"We didn't come and play our game," Spartans coach Melanie Dzioba said. "They just did a great job and shut us down."
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Longmeadow falls short in state semifinal
Thursday, November 13, 2008
By: Fran Sypek
fsypek@repub.com
NORTHBOROUGH - It took a great team to beat a great team.
After losing to Central Catholic 3-0 in the state Division II volleyball semifinal at Algonquin High School in Northborough, Longmeadow can now look back with pride on an outstanding season.
Central Catholic of Lawrence improved to 22-0 and advanced to Saturday's state final against the winner of the Medfield/Bishop Feehan semifinal at 3 p.m. at Hudson High School.
Longmeadow closed at 18-4.
This was a stellar season for the Lancers, who repeated as Western Massachusetts champions. Longmeadow swept past both Chicopee Comprehensive and rival East Longmeadow to advance to its second straight state semifinal.
Last year, Longmeadow lost to Westborough in the state semifinal and the goal this season was to go at least one step further.
There's a reason Central Catholic is undefeated. It is an athletic team with good balance and, above all, strong volleyball skills.
The Lawrence school won 25-20, 25-20, 25-13. "Player for player, we were pretty well matched up against them, but height-wise, we weren't," Longmeadow coach George Mulry said. "It wasn't indicative of our play. We had too many unforced errors that cost us and that's really been the story all season."
Prior to the match, Mulry wondered which Longmeadow team was going to show up - the one that struggled to beat West Springfield in the tourney opener, or the one that rose to the occasion and played great volleyball in competitive matches against both the Colts and Spartans.
It didn't take Mulry long to get his answer.
The Lancers came out on fire in the opening set. They led by three points, 17-14 and appeared primed to claim the set.
But Longmeadow just couldn't close out Central Catholic.
"We wanted to jump on them early and make a statement," Mulry said. "We started hitting balls into the net and out of bounds, which really hurt us." The second game was also competitive.
Central Catholic went on a 7-0 run to take a 21-17 lead. That dramatically changed the momentum of that set and the Lawrence school went on to post a five-point victory that was hardly easy.
The Lancers weren't about to sulk over such a disappointing loss but they quickly fell behind 5-0 to start the second set. But they got right back into the game with a run with a brief spurt before the Lawrence school pulled in front to stay.
The hard-hitting Central Catholic team was able to get Longmeadow off its game, disputing its rhythm with some powerful shots that turned into points and a big lead.
It was a set the Lancers needed to win, and they did play with desperation only to find frustration against a team that simply refused to lose. The Lancers did manage to chip away at the lead and closed the gap to four points, 16-14.
Later in the set, the Lancers cut the lead to 21-19 and appeared to have the momentum. But Central Catholic finished with a 4-1 run to claim the set by the identical score as the first one. It was a match similar to the ones won by the Lancers in the sectional semifinals and final. Longmeadow was competitive, but its opponent was just a bit stronger.
"We were just way off our game, and I think we were a little too nervous coming in," Andrea Davis said.
Davis finished with 11 kills. Natalie Zucker had 23 assists and Jenna Carando added 12 digs.
Central Catholic completed the sweep to end Longmeadow's season.
"It's disappointing because this is senior year and we really wanted this," Zucker said. "We didn't come out with as much intensity as we did in Western Mass."
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