Mayhugh leads Weston to Division 3 final
It took a couple of sets, but when Fielding Mayhugh gets going, she can take over.
The junior hitter mashed six of her 14 kills and both her aces in the fourth set, helping No. 3 Weston pull away for a 3-1 victory over No. 7 Wakefield on Tuesday in the Division 3 semifinals at Billerica High, lifting the Wildcats (19-5) to their second final as a program. Set scores were 25-21, 18-25, 25-22, 25-19.
“Someone had to step up and take the leadership,” Mayhugh said. “Being a captain on the court, I felt I needed to take that role because I wasn’t really playing well [earlier].”
When Mayhugh broke out of her funk, the team got some breathing room, and found the groove it will need in the title match against top-seeded Medfield at Worcester State (time and date TBA).
“Fielding has always been a leader for our team, but in the last couple weeks she has stepped it up even more,” said Weston coach Eileen Leblanc. “She’s just really blossoming, growing into that role, being more confident.”
Sophomore setter Riley Huml directed the offense, doling out assists to sophomore Nevaeh Yancy (8 kills), freshman Ellie Wilkins (7 kills), and sophomore Zoe Smallman (5 kills).
For Wakefield (16-8), senior Lea Carangelo was creative with the ball, amassing 27 assists, 4 kills, 4 aces, and 7 digs in the program’s first state semifinal appearance.
Division 4 State
Bellingham 3, Frontier 1 — Sophomore Val Nolan (13 kills, 18 digs), and freshmen Mia Milani (12 kills, 8 digs, 7 aces) and Sophia Soto (14 digs) paced the No. 2 Blackhawks (16-3) past the No. 3 Red Hawks (16-5) in the semifinals.
“It was amazing. The kids just came to play tonight,” said Bellingham coach Steve Mantegani, noting he has just two seniors in his rotation. “[Milani and Soto] are freshmen who play like juniors. I’ve never seen talent like that at that age.”
Ipswich 3, Hudson 1 — Tess O’Flynn (26 assists, 14 digs), Claire Buletza (21 kills, 25 serve receptions, 11 digs), and Addison Pillis (13 kills) did their thing for the No. 1 Tigers (18-0) as they topped the No. 4 Hawks (17-3) in the semifinals. Though it doesn’t typically see Hudson during regular-season play, Ipswich was well equipped for the challenge.
Division 5 State
Bourne 3, Turner Falls 0 — In a dominant semifinal showing, the second-seeded Canalmen (19-0) won by scores of 25-16, 25-14, 25-14 to reach their first state championship match since 2009. Sophomore libero Lily Russell (24 digs, 2 aces), senior captain Elena Timo (7 assists, 6 kills, 4 aces), and sophomore Sofia Halunen (16 assists, 6 kills, 4 aces) were instrumental in handing the No. 3 Thunder (18-2) their first loss since Sept. 29.