The third seed Rebels took on the one seed Barnstable Red Raiders in the Division One South Sectional Final on Saturday, November 12. Despite their momentum of winning their first two tournament games, the Rebels unfortunately lost three sets to zero. This loss meant the end of Walpole’s playoff run; however, the team still earned their first trophy in program history for being “2016 Girls Volleyball Division One South Finalists.”
“Even though we lost to Barnstable, I’m so proud of our team and I am so happy with the results of our season” said senior captain Andrea Traietti. “We made it the farthest Walpole Volleyball has ever gone in tournament and we are putting our first trophy in the case at school.”
With their final 15-5 regular season record, the Rebels earned a first round bye, and defeated sixth seed Brockton three sets to zero in the second round.
“We were able to compete well against Brockton and come from behind a few times,” said head coach Lisa Cyr.
Next, Walpole faced second seed New Bedford in the South Sectional Semi-finals. The underdog Rebels took an early lead, winning the first set 25-16, but the Whalers responded by taking the second set 25-17. Walpole then won the following two sets, both 25-20, and consequently the match.
Overall, the team’s regular season was successful, including a victory over a 13-6 Medway team, and a win against Bishop Feehan, the team that knocked the Rebels out of the State Tournament two years prior.
One of the hallmarks of the Rebels’ season this year was their senior night game against Walpole’s rival Norwood in a battle for the Bay State League’s Herget Division title on Thursday, October 27. The first two sets were both close, with the lead shifting back and forth between the two teams the entire time. Norwood came out with an early lead of 2-0, winning 26-24 and 28-26 respectively. Although off to a rough start, Walpole rallied back to win three straight sets, thus winning the match.
Lead by senior captains Abby Hile, Kayla Frost, and Andrea Traietti, the Rebels were strong both offensively and defensively. In the regular season, the team averaged 21.1 digs, and three aces per set—both above the national team average. Adding to the list of impressive stats are Hile’s 174 kills, and Traietti’s 529 digs.
Also providing quality contributions to the team are Sophomores Sawyer King and twin sisters Mackenzie and Abby Rae: King had a total of 122 kills, Mackenzie leads with 547 assists, and Abby has provided 56 aces. Traietti, Abby, and Mackenzie’s stats place them first, thirteenth, and third, respectively, on the Massachusetts Division 1 stats leaders list in regards to regular season stats.
Sophomore outside hitter Sawyer King said, “our seniors this year have taught many of the underclassmen how to be great leaders and how to not only play to win but play to play to love the game, so I think that our success this season will transfer into next year as well.”
