BOYS HS VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW: NEEDHAM AGAIN THE POWERHOUSE
When the MIAA spring season stopped before it even began back in 2020, boys volleyball took a sizable hit as a sport in which the majority of its athletes pick it up once they get to high school. Having no season was a big deal.
That didn’t stop perennial powerhouse Needham from dominating the court last spring, winning every set of the season en route to a state title. And as volleyball recovers from that gap year and shifts toward a new state-wide format with power seedings and two divisions,
Needham should thrive again in Div. 1.
The Rockets return the state’s top player in senior outside hitter Ben Putnam, along with fellow All-Scholatics in senior Nolan Leary and junior setter Raymond Weng. Kevin Coppinger steps into a big role and Needham still stands as one of the deepest teams. “These guys are pretty hungry, but it’s a new year with new competition,” said Rockets head coach Dave Powell. “We’re not trying to replicate anything (from last year). We think this year, the competition is tough out there. We’re anticipating some really good challenges.”
The Bay State Conference is once again a major challenge. Natick looks to rebound from a rare first-round exit with senior outside hitter Kendall Jackson and senior libero Zach Kwan returning after all-star seasons, while senior Luke Rossi adds athleticism and returning setter Harrison Landry leads some talented sophomores. Newton North looks to rebound in the same way, returning 6-foot-2 Kaz Veitas and adding sophomore sensation Adam Christianson as new coach Nile Fox replaces retired legend Richard Barton.
Brookline hopes to replicate its success from a trip to the sectional final last year, boasting conference all-star seniors Nikhil Wong, Jacob Smagula and Fletcher Poon alongside Jason Rich and junior Cam Jilek. Wellesley also figures to be competitive.
The Dual County League looks even more cut-throat. Not one, but two of the state’s top players return to fellow title favorite Newton South in All-Scholastic senior Jaidin Russell and all-star John Kim, and they’re surrounded by a large crop of six-footers. Div. 1 state runner-up Lincoln-Sudbury remains a key challenger as All-Scholastic senior Jack Braverman, middle hitter Will Ginand and senior setter CJ Murphy lead a promising group.
Reigning North sectional champion Westford Academy lost All-Scholastic talent but should make noise behind senior stars Matthew Zegowitz, Jake Aylward and Tejas Kudva. DCL All-Star setter James Cui pairs with junior Nick Heitman to guide a
new-look ActonBoxboro team, while Cambridge and Boston Latin also should challenge.
Lowell is seniorladen following a deep run, returning star hitter Izaviah Hong and Kython
Ses as captains. North Andover figures to cause havoc with plenty of height in 6-foot-4 star lefty Andrew Matzouranis and 6-foot-3 junior Kyler Shea despite the significant loss of 6-foot6 senior Gabe Herrera to injury, while Chelmsford overcomes sizable losses to graduation as all-star
Theo Farag helps navigate the dangerous MVC. Seniors Ryan McShan, Keith Shaheen and Aaron Kenneally guide a Central Catholic group avenging a down year, Andover should compete, and Lawrence courts a team after missing last season.
Winchester joins a brand-new Middlesex League and is a legitimate Div. 1 title threat with reigning DCL co-MVP Jasper Schultz and all-stars Declan Mahoney and Brian Kavanaugh returning. Lexington should turn heads with DCL All-Stars Matteo Luciani and Austin Li propelling a hungry group.
St. John’s Prep brings back five starters from last year, led by Callum Brown, Matt Chiampa and four-year setter Dan Schorr. St. John’s of Shrewsbury officially joins the Catholic Conference, boasting senior Danny Wickstrom and three other club players as it takes on its toughest schedule yet.
The creation of a second division opens up the field for a crop of 63 teams, but a couple of familiar favorites still lead the way in Div. 2. Wayland is the Eastern Mass. favorite, bringing back star seniors Joe Barenboym and Jake Moser to guide a younger team through a challenging Div. 1 schedule.
“The shift to Div. 2 for state playoffs makes us a contender,” said head coach Phil George. “We’ve got a couple of sophomores and younger guys we need to develop still … but by the end of the year, I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re up there.”
Milford reached the sectional final last year and should maintain that momentum, paced by
Valdir Aragoso, Jack Callahan and Chris Tocci.
King Philip is always a serious challenger to it, as are Nipmuc and Medfield.
The Commonwealth Athletic Conference will be competitive, with Lowell Catholic once again leading the way. Twin seniors John and Patrick Nangle are dangerous, as is all-star Josh Barahona. Fellow all-star Eddy Herrera returns for Greater Lawrence to boost its chances, while Greater Lowell and Essex Tech challenge.
Assabet Valley is a league-favorite with 6-foot-7 Jahi Ashby leading the way. Latin Academy and O’Bryant fight for the Boston City League after a strong finish last year, and seniors Danny Au and Adam Huang pair with Nate Caldwell to lead a young North Quincy group looking to make playoffs.