LYNN — In any sport, you always want to play your best at the right time. The Classical volleyball team has checked that box off with flying colors.
Classical concluded its regular season with its ninth consecutive win, a 3-0 sweep over crosstown rival English Monday on O’Callaghan Way. Set scores were 25-15, 25-14 and 25-13.
“We feel good about the team right now,” Classical coach Frank DeLuca said. “Last week we had four games and making it through that was hard. I think they’re playing their best volleyball right now. I’m very happy about that.”
The Rams, who haven’t lost since falling to Northeastern Conference powerhouse Danvers, end the regular season with a program-best 18 wins.
“That’s fantastic,” DeLuca said. “We set our goals at the beginning of the season. We got a lot of contributions from players who didn’t know how well they’d do. They all came through really well. They played to their potential and that’s what you want. They kept improving and improving, and that’s the main thing.”
DeLuca was especially pleased with Classical’s ability to finish sets. The Rams took a swift 2-0 lead over St. Mary’s in last Friday’s City Tournament final, before allowing the Spartans to push them to the brink in a 5-set match.
“That was a big improvement from the St. Mary’s game,” DeLuca said. “We talked about it. We said, ‘we can’t play like that.’ We kept reminding them and they performed in all three sets. That was great.”
Classical’s Amber Crayton (18 service points, six aces and five assists) and Pamela Diaz (15 service points, eight digs, three aces) contributed in all phases. Kiara Edmonds (nine digs) and Jean Gupton-Morrison (seven kills) also played key roles.
For the Bulldogs, Merily Folestal (30 hits, 12 kills) and Alexis Irawandi were the stars of the match. Abnerliz Ocasio-Lugo added four kills and three aces.
“Alexis’ hustle was incredible,” English coach Mike Haddad said. “There were so many times she really had to hustle to get to that second ball and she got there every time. She showed tremendous passion for the game.
“No one plays middle like Merily does. She’s a phenomenal blocker, a tremendous hitter and an amazing server. I’m thrilled I get to have her for a third season next year.”
English ends the season at 5-10.
“In five years of coaching, this is without a doubt the strongest varsity team I’ve had to work with,” Haddad said. “They showed a lot of growth throughout the season. We had some tough matches against teams we battled hard against, matches we lost but we played well. As a coach all you can ask is that they give it their all every time they set out on the court.”
Classical sprinted out to a 9-1 lead in the opening set, forcing English to burn a timeout. The Bulldogs returned the favor, taking five of the next six points and prompting Classical to use a timeout. Classical sealed the deal after its break for the 25-15 set win.
Things were even at the start of the second set, with the two rivals battling to 9-9 tie. That’s when Classical started to distance itself by building a 16-9 lead before English got itself back on the board. Classical took the set, 25-14.
English dug itself into a hole and couldn’t climb out in the third set, as Classical rode an early lead to a 25-13 set win in closing the match.
Before Monday’s match, the Rams held a brief Senior Night ceremony to honor their nine seniors. This season’s senior class includes Sophie Alcindor, Kristen Brazell, Crayton, Diaz, Edmonds, Gupton-Morrison, Vanessa Oscar, Slanny Portorreal and Josiris Rios.
“Pamela’s a 4-year starter and Amber’s a 3-year starter,” DeLuca said. “We knew that was the foundation coming into this year. They really performed well. Jean and Kiara, the other two captains, stepped up. The other girls have been here for two years. They knew what we expected and things went well.”
The Rams now await the MIAA Division 2 North state tournament pairings.
“If we can focus heading into states and not allow the momentum swings affect us, we’re going to be strong,” DeLuca said.
