ATHOL — After a 3-0 sweep over Athol on Tuesday night, the attention of the Mahar volleyball team turned to some unfinished business before the playoffs begin — a rematch with Turners Falls.
If the Senators (13-4, 8-1 Northern) can beat the Thunder at home on Friday, they will earn a share of the league title which they haven’t won since 1997.
“We are focusing on Turners Falls,” Mahar coach Sarah Woodward said. “That’s all we are thinking about right now. We need to beat them.”
Mahar lost a five-set match to the Thunder earlier in the season.
“The first time we could have won,” Woodward said. “It’s not about the playoffs yet.”
Aria Flematti missed the match for Mahar.
“She had a prior commitment,” Woodward said.
In her place, some players got some valuable experience including Keanna Thompson (seven assists) and Madison Harrington (four assists).
The Red Raiders (3-17, 3-7) hosted senior night against the Senators in their final match of the season. Multiple seniors played during the match including Analyse Merlini, Dalisha Castillo and Julia Carey.
Other seniors include Abby Roberts, Avah Cantrell and Celeste Torocco
“I am really proud of the progress they have made,” Athol coach Nick Savoie said. “They made a lot of strides this year. ”
Some of the seniors were new to the program this year and are still in the process of learning volleyball.
“Definitely wish we could have had them longer to see how good they could have gotten,” Savoie said. “We are always trying to get the program bigger and get more people interested.”
The numbers for the Athol girls volleyball team have declined in recent years.
“It’s great when random people just come in,” Savoie said. “They make the team better. Especially at practice.”
Savoie started his seniors who normally play junior varsity in the match. The set scores were 25-12, 25-17 and 25-22.
“I don’t feel like we played our best game but I don’t feel like we played our worst either,” Savoie said.
Jordyn Berry led the Senators with seven kills and seven aces. Lauren Henne’s defense was steady as usual with nine digs.
For the Red Raiders Alexis Carrasquillo had four kills and three aces while setter Lexi Forte had eight assists.
Roberts chipped in with three kills and two aces for Athol.
