The Walpole Rebel Volleyball team’s seven game winning streak came to an end last week after three hard fought games against Braintree, Natick, and Wellesley. All three matches were close in score with each brought to five sets. Despite the resilience shown by the Rebels, their efforts were not sufficient as their record lessened to 8-6 after this week. Since they need one more win to earn a playoff berth, the team is feeling the tension during every set.
The Rebels competed hard at Braintree on October 10, but the Wamps finished the game strong with the win. Braintree stole the first two sets with scores of 25-18, and 25-23, but it was clear that Walpole came to fight. Walpole stayed with Braintree’s competition and brought the third game to 27 points. The Rebels tied the Wamps at 25 points and proceeded to 27 to win by 2 points.
Junior Captain Summer King said, “We knew we could keep up with Braintree, it was just a matter of how hard we worked as a team.” As Walpole picked up their energy, Braintree lost all momentum on the other side of the net. Like they knew they could, Walpole beat Braintree in the fourth set with a score of 25-15. However, Braintree took the lead in the fifth game and finished strong with a score of 15-9. Head Coach Cyr awarded Summer King player of the game for her 21 kills, 9 blocks, and 100% serving throughout the game.
Later that week the Rebels took on Natick at Natick High School. The energy of the gym was high from the first serve, but the atmosphere changed in the second set. Walpole dominated the first set 25-15, but they struggled to keep up with Natick in the second set as they lost 25-8. They lost the third game 25-11, and triumphed through the fourth game winning 25-18.
King said, “Natick is a great team who plays smart, and we couldn’t work past their strategies this game.” Walpole lost the fifth game 15-11.
The Rebels had high hopes for their match against Wellesley on October 17 because they beat them earlier in the season, but the match did not go as they had planned. King said, “Wellesley’s outside hitter who was injured last time we faced them was back tonight, and our whole team lost confidence after we saw her dressed for the game.”
Walpole felt an even bigger urge to win this game and prove themselves knowing Wellesley’s outside hitter was back. Walpole won the first set 27-25 in a neck and neck match. However, the Rebels momentum was lost for the next three games and Wellesley swept the win. Wellesley won the second set 25-18, the third 25-15, and the fourth 25-17. Senior Captain Tori Webber said, “We were especially upset because we’ve been telling ourselves that we’ll win the next game after every match, and we haven’t been able to pull through.”
The Rebels and Coach Lisa Cyr have discussed what they need to do to win games, such as working as a team and focusing mentally. They are looking forward to executing Webber said, “As a senior, one more win is so important to me. I want my last season to be as successful as possible.” In the coming weeks, the Rebels will face Milton, Dedham, Norwood, and Marshfield; all teams who Walpole has already beat this season. As the season progresses and the Rebels approach their last games of the season, they hope to achieve one more win to earn a playoff berth.
