The Marblehead High School volleyball team (15-4, 15th seed) won the first two games in its Round of 32 Division 2 matchup against visiting Nashoba Regional (14-7, 18th seed) on Nov. 3. Unfortunately for the home team, the Wolves elevated their play and won the next to knock the Magicians out of the state tournament.
The Magicians were solid in the opening set, leading from start to finish, while winning it, 25-14. Nashoba grabbed an early lead in the second set, but the Magicians picked up steam once again to pull the win, 25-22.
Nashoba reversed that score in the third game to get untracked on the scoreboard. The visitors trailed at one point, 19-18, but at that point the comeback was on. They then tied things up in the fourth set, 25-20, before clinching the upset win, 15-9.
Marblehead coach Killeen Miller thought the Wolves showed resiliency after dropping the first two sets.
“I have to give credit to (Nashoba), their kids played outstanding after the first and second set. You could see them getting better and better as soon as they put everything together,” she added. “We had them in the first and second games, but then they started to clean things up, and they were ruthless. They didn’t let anything drop.”
Nonetheless, Miller had nothing but praise for her club. “I’m so proud of my team. We had a great season, but it just didn’t end the way we wanted it to,” she said.
For seniors Lucy Sabin and Isabel Wabno, the loss was obviously disappointing, but they still both have great memories playing in this program throughout the last four years.
“I’m really proud of our whole team,” said Sabin. “We started really strong in the first two sets. We gave it our all, and we tried to get that gas pedal back down, but we couldn’t do it. These girls have been my family since freshman year. It’s a family, not a team. We care for each other so much, and I’m so glad I was a part of this team.”
Wabno then added her assessment of the entire volleyball experience. She said, “it’s one of the greatest (things) I’ve been a part of for the last four years. I’ve created friendships that will last forever. It’s such a great empowering community, and I will never forget this experience.”
Isabel Wabno, Keira Sweetnam, Mari Modrzynska, Teaghan Kay, Julia Potvin, Eva Burke, Alyssa Gentile, Madeline Antunes, Reece Friedman, Deysha Amadis, Lucy Sabin, Tamya Johnson, Remington Tilkens, Caitlin Parkman, Madeline Cole, Megan Parkman and Greta Sachs made up this 2022 winning roster.
