By Riley Fontana
Hometown Weekly Reporter
The Medfield varsity volleyball team faced off against the Wayland High School Warriors in the MIAA Division 3 State Semi-Finals, held at Hopkinton High School. Medfield destroyed their competition winning all three sets to advance to the State Finals against Weston High School.
Medfield started the first set strong, with Senior Maya Jackson sending over an unreturned ace. Junior Kendall Larkin showed her dominance at the net, spiking with force to put Medfield up. Junior Lianna Kane had two unreturned aces, putting Medfield up 11-3. Jackson was a key player on the court, with huge digs to save plays. Junior Ellie Hennessey put up critical blocks at the net to keep Wayland from scoring. Sophomore Jordan Sanderson, Junior Ava Pender and Senior Captain Lily Brodeur worked together to recover a play off the net, turning it into a scoring opportunity for Medfield. Brodeur put up two unreturned aces, and Hennessey ended the set with a critical spike. Medfield took the first set 25-9.
Wayland came back with a vengeance in the second set, but could not top Medfield. Pender opened the set with an unreturned ace, setting the tone for Medfield. Brodeur put up three aces on a six-point service streak and was vital in saving plays. Sanderson and Hennessey lead the defense of the net, blocking out scoring attempts from Wayland. Medfield took an early lead with an 8-3 score. Hennessey was able to spike the ball back toward Wayland, earning Medfield another point. Pender was able to tip the ball over the net, sending Wayland scrambling to try and return the play. Sanderson earned Medfield a critical point, with the score a 22-22 tie. Medfield was able to come out on top with a 25-23 score.
The third set showed an unfazed Medfield, ready to end the match. Sanderson and Hennessey were vital players at the net, blocking attempts and recovering plays. Jackson was making huge saves, keeping the ball in play whenever possible, she also put up two unreturned aces. Pender utilized sneaky tip-in plays to put Medfield up in score. Kane was able to help recover a play and score a critical point. Larkin put up a spike point, and diving saves for Medfield. Senior Ally Bonoldi sent over an unplayed ace, helping Medfield lead 21-16. Hennessy and Sanderson put up massive blocks at the net. Brodeur sent over the final spike to take the set 25-19.
The Medfield High School Warriors volleyball team looks onto the State Finals on November 16, against Weston. Medfield took the State Championship over Weston going 3-0, with set scores of 25-14, 25-23 and 25-21.
