LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield volleyball team capped off a strange, shortened season in the best way it knew how on Friday night, notching a 3-0 win over Cape Ann League rival North Reading to take home the CAL Tournament championship. The Pioneers won by set scores of 25-22, 25-19, 25-23.
“It’s a special thing to finish the season with a win and go out with that, and it’s a new thing for all of us,” said Lynnfield coach Brent Ashley. “You could tell that the girls were so happy with what they accomplished, but you can also tell it’s a little bittersweet because they feel like they had the ability to go for a state championship if it was possible. But still, I’m so proud of the team for how they approached this season, how they stayed focused all year and how they accomplished what they set out to do.”
The win caps off an incredible year for the Pioneers, who have only lost two games in the past two seasons.
“It’s funny, I was talking to (senior) Daniela (Colarusso) and we realized that she’s one of the few lucky people who can count all the losses in her high school career on one hand,” said Ashley. “She’s been a huge part of this team along with the other seniors and also the seniors who came before them, and all of the girls who dedicated their time and energy to being the best they can in their sport. They’re the ones who put this winning culture in place, and it’s going to be here long after they’re gone thanks to all the work they put in over the years.”
While Ella Gizmunt once again led the Pioneers in kills on the night, Lynnfield also got a great performance from Jillian Babine (six kills, six aces, 12 digs). Daniela Colarusso contributed 16 digs, while Celia Carbone, Grace Davie, Genna Gioioso all stepped up in big moments for the Pioneers.
North Reading came to play Friday night, and Lynnfield found that out right away. The Hornets started fast and jumped out to a 6-2 lead in the early minutes before Lynnfield started to battle back. The Pioneers eventually tied things up at 9-9, but then North Reading got hot again and jumped ahead 17-13. Lynnfield once again tied things up at 18-18, and this time the two sides went back and forth before the Pioneers grabbed a foothold at 22-20. Lynnfield went on to score three of the next five points to take the set in a close one.
The second set was much of the same, with the two sides battling through nine ties and 10 lead changes over the course of the set. But when Lynnfield went ahead 20-16 and forced a North Reading timeout, the Pioneers had it. Lynnfield closed the set on a 5-3 run to win the set and itself firmly in the driver’s seat.
That momentum went right into the start of the third set, as the Pioneers jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the blink of an eye. But North Reading still had some fight left, and the Hornets battled all the way back to tie things at 12-12 before taking the lead. The two sides continued to trade shots from there, exchanging seven ties and eight lead changes the rest of the way. Then, with the score tied 23-23, the Pioneers were able to notch the final two points to take the set, the match and the championship.
Lynnfield wraps up a successful season that saw it go 11-1, win the Cape Ann League regular-season title for the third year in a row and take home the CAL Tournament crown.
