By Avonlea Cummings
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
The Medfield boys volleyball team hosted Nipmuc High School on Wednesday, April 10, where the boys emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over Nipmuc. With this win, the Medfield Warriors advance to a 3-0 Tri-Valley League record and carry an overall season record of 4-2.
The first three sets proved to be closely contested as Medfield and Nipmuc battled on the court. Nipmuc's effective blocks and offensive strategies challenged Medfield's attack, finding openings in Medfield's defense to score multiple points. Although the teams traded points throughout the first set, Nipmuc secured the win with a score of 27-25.
Medfield responded strongly in the subsequent three sets, taking the lead early in each one. In the second set, Medfield's Nathan Adolph delivered a powerful kill that overwhelmed Nipmuc's defense, bolstering Medfield's performance. Despite Nipmuc's rally to tie the set 15-15, Medfield clinched the set with a final score of 25-22. In the third set, Medfield's Thomas Waters, Marco Musto, and Luke Foley displayed strong blocking skills at the net, while Oliver Manuel and Haydon Hillenmeyer defended the backcourt effectively. Medfield secured another set victory with a score of 25-21.
Entering the fourth set with confidence, Medfield maintained their momentum and dominated the court. Establishing a commanding 15-5 lead, the boys continued to capitalize on quick sets and outsider hitter attacks, preventing any chance of a Nipmuc comeback. Medfield sealed the victory by winning the final set with a score of 25-12.
Coach Shu mentioned a key takeaway from the evening’s game, and shared how the record and team statistics don’t matter, but the overall growth of the players are what’s most important to him as a coach: “Key takeaway from tonight’s game is not to give up regardless of what’s happening on the court. I needed everyone to play even the kids that were in their heads, and they battled back after the first set, which they struggled at the start. Given that is wasn’t the dominating or demanding play that they expected, the outcome is correct for them. They did what they had to do, it’s a job, it’s a game, and they have to play hard… It’s one game at a time, I really don’t care about the record that much. I know they do, but I want to see them progress as players and not be so concerned about statistics or wins,” said Shu.
Medfield will travel to Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High on Friday, April 26 for their tenth game of the season. Start time is set for 5:30 PM.
