Lynnfield volleyball off to final

MALDEN – The Lynnfield volleyball team defeated No. 2 Mystic Valley, 3-1, in the Division 3 North semifinals on Thursday evening, in a match with a championship-like feel to it. The No. 3 Pioneers, however, will have to win one more game for the right to call themselves champions.The title game comes on Saturday afternoon against Notre Dame at Lawrence High School. Should Lynnfield show up with the same demeanor that it came out with for the final two sets against the second-seeded Eagles, they could very well be hoisting the coveted trophy.?It seems to come down to Notre Dame every year for us,” explained Lynnfield coach Michelle Perrone of the looming title game. “They?re a very good team and I think it will be an evenly played match, much like tonight was.”After an extremely competitive first two sets that left the match deadlocked, the Pioneers came out firing in the third set. Lynnfield jumped out to a 7-1 lead before forcing the Eagles into their second timeout down eight at 11-3.With Caroline Fagan serving, the visitors reeled off six straight points thanks to two kills from Hannah Shaievitz (8 total) as well as two service points from Fagan. Three consecutive kills from Katherine Lawless (7 total) closed out the set at 25-8.?It all came down to building momentum for us,” said Perrone of the sudden surge. “Our serving really improved and the overall accuracy of our shots was much better.”The final set was much of the same as Lynnfield ran away with a 25-14 finale.The Pioneers scored five straight points to take a 5-1 lead, the last a kill from Lawless after she made three straight blocks. Up 11-7, Lynnfield scored four consecutive points to all but put things away.Emma Mancini finished things off with her 13th kill of the match.?We?re a very well rounded team in regards to not having to rely on the same players,” said Perrone. “I think that?s one of our biggest strengths; having several players that can rise to the occasion is huge for us as a team.”Kelly Corcoran added eight kills for the victors.The aforementioned balance in the opening sets saw the Pioneers prevail 25-19 in the first behind six kills from Mancini as well as four service points (including two aces) from Ashley McRae.Mystic Valley responded to steal the second set 25-23.?The first two sets were really a battle of free balls,” explained Perrone. “I think both teams were a little bit nervous and trying to adjust to the big stage.?Mystic Valley is a good team with great middle and outside hitters. We had a difficult time defending them to start the match.”