Marblehead High opened the MIAA state tournament with a three-set victory over Woburn, taking the match 25-20, 25-17, 25-12.
Here’s the moment the Magicians won:
The #6 Marblehead Magicians girls volleyball team extended its win streak to 12 matches Nov. 1, sweeping the #27 Woburn Memorial High School Tanners (25-20, 25-17, 25-12) in the Round of 32 in the MIAA Division 2 state tournament.
“These kids really deserved it,” said Marblehead head coach, Killeen Miller. “We worked tremendously hard to get where we were today. Our goal was, ultimately, to play our game and just settle our nerves. I thought our kids stepped up and did a really nice job.”
The first set started out as a back and forth affair until the Magicians broke off an 8-4 run led by front row players Mari Modrzynska and Lila Moniz with Woburn’s star outside hitter, Sasha Lefang, rotating off the court.
Lefang took over the game upon her return, guiding Woburn on a five point run. The Tanners’ momentum would be short-lived, however, as a string of three attack errors gave Marblehead the lead and forced Woburn coach, Scott Roy, to call timeout.
Out of the timeout, Marblehead continued to pile on the pressure. Senior captain, Greta Sachs, fired home a pair of aces to put the hosts within three points of a first set victory. Powered by a 6-1 run to end the set, the Headers would take the opening frame 25-20.
Marblehead would take a commanding lead early in the second set, but Woburn was able to fight their way back into the game, bringing the score within two points. Under pressure from the Tanners, the Magicians put their foot on the gas, winning four points in a row and forcing Woburn to call timeout.
The Tanners came out of the timeout with renewed vigor, reducing the deficit to four late in the set and forcing Coach Miller to call a timeout of her own. With their nerves settled, the Magicians were able to find their footing once again. Finishing the set with an ace by Sydney Da Silva, taking the second leg of the match, 25-17.
After dropping the first two points of the third set, Marblehead would hold serve for seven consecutive points, forcing Woburn to call an early timeout. The Magicians would seldom relinquish control for the remainder of the set, going on an eight point run to bring their advantage to 11 late in the match.
The Headers domination continued to the final whistle, emphatically winning the third set 25-12.
“This team has worked immensely hard,” said Marblehead’s leading scorer, Lila Moniz, who finished with 11 kills. “We’ve really worked for this playoff run and we’re ready to keep going. I think we deserved this win.”
“Everyone was really hyped,” said Sammy Walker who finished with nine kills of her own. “It was definitely hard getting around the blocks, but we did a good job adjusting.”
Marblehead advances to the Round of 16 in the state tournament where they will host the #11 Burlington Red Devils on Tuesday. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m.
The Current was at Saturday’s game and spoke with players and coach Killeen Miller after the victory.
