Needham seeks net gains
Rockets look for two more wins this spring
While a state semifinal loss should be considered a solid season, the Needham boys volleyball team did not feel like it met its expectations a season ago.
With a trio of returning juniors along with several other key players, Rockets coach David Powell hopes for even more this spring.
“We have a goal each year to make the tournament, win the South section and play for a state title,” said Powell, whose club was 24-1 last year. “We fell short of that goal last season. We would’ve liked to make the state title contest, but we got outplayed.”
Herald All-Scholastic Eli Wallace returns as the setter for the Rockets. Senior outside-hitter Jack Cruickshank and senior middleblocker and right-side hitter Cam Robins are also back for the Rockets, looking for their fourth straight sectional title.
Also in the South, Greater New Bedford Voke will be a team to watch with junior libero Tommy Girard anchoring the defense. Senior middle-hitter Gabriel Abolarinwa is a high energy, explosive leader, while junior setter Ryan Robichaud will run the attack for the second straight season.
Newton North, Newton South and Wellesley will also be in the mix in the South.
In the North, Wayland not only graduated senior leader Jack Fletcher, but coach Rod Fletcher retired during the offseason. No worries, though, because assistant coach Phil George takes over as the Warriors look to follow their best season in program history — as they went 23-3 and advanced to the state final.
“We have a lot of potential, but we also have a lot of development to do,” said George.
Herald All-Scholastic Asa Greenaway returns as the team’s setter, while senior captains Oliver Moody and Kieran Ireland are the focal points of the attack. Moody is an outside hitter who puts pressure on the defense and Ireland is a middle blocker who has one of the best serves on the team.
Andover should also stay in contention up North after posting 22 wins last season, the most in the program’s 29-year history. Senior Yanchen Zhan is committed to Cornell and will be the starting outside hitter for the Golden Warriors.
Acton-Boxboro wants to improve after last year’s 15-7 mark, with 6-foot-6 outside-hitter Dominic Banor returning as a senior. Chelmsford is also a team to watch in the North.
In the Central, Natick looks to repeat as sectional champs, and the Redhawks have eight seniors leading the way, including outsidehitter Max Waltzman and 6-foot-8 middle-blocker Matt Flaherty as captains. Junior captain Brett Olen is a second-year starter at setter.
“We are looking to do more than last year,” said Natick coach Peter Suxho, whose club was supposed to be a fringe playoff team a season ago.
Framingham, the 2016 state champs, should also be a fun squad to watch, as the Flyers have 10 seniors, including Aaron Shapiro and Tyler Chan.
Xaverian and Millis should also compete in the Central.