LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield Pioneers battled throughout their matchup with the Ipswich Tigers but could not muster a victory losing in three sets 25-16, 25-21, and 25-21 Thursday at Lynnfield High School.
The matchup with these teams was a can not miss contest as the Pioneers rolled into their matchup against Ipswich, the defending state champions, with a 5-1 record.
In the battle of two great volleyball programs, Lynnfield Head Coach Brent Ashley acknowledged that the game was definitely a learning experience.
“Hands down probably the most difficult and probably the most challenging and probably the best match that we have played all year,” said Ashley. “In a lot of ways, it is a learning match for us.”
Even in the loss, the Pioneers had some inspiring performances, especially from senior Ella Gizmunt. Gizmunt notched an unbelievable 16 kills in the contest. Senior Grace Davie, who had five kills and an assist, and senior Celia Carbone, who had an astonishing 23 assists, also played spectacularly.
Lynnfield had a tough start to the game as it seemed like they were shell-shocked by the defending state champions.
“We still had a little bit of a hangover from last year knowing they were in that same bracket as us, the same division as us. We were both kind of heading for the state championship match last year, so we still had a little bit of a hangover of the nerves and hangover of the anxiety a little bit,” said Ashley.“You saw it in the first set – it took them like a good five or 10 minutes before they were like, oh shoot, we are here we have to play, and then they kind of woke up and played.”
After a shaky first set, the Pioneers settled themselves and put up a great fight in the second with some great plays from the likes of Gizmunt and Carbone. Lynnfield played well enough to make the score 18-18 deep in the set. Unfortunately for the Pioneers, Ipswich had some great kills by senior Grace Sorensen and junior Ella Stein to give the Tigers the second set win.
Deep in a 2-0 hole, Lynnfield did not fold and showed some tremendous heart in an attempt to push the match to a fourth set — something its coach was happy with.
Ashley said he was most impressed with his team, “Understanding that the match goes to 25 and the match does not go to one,” and their ability “not to crush and to fall apart after one attempt.”
The Pioneers took an early 8-4 lead in the final set with a few Gizmunt kills and some beautiful serves from senior Giuliana Guarracino. However, as the set progressed, some long balls went out, and Sorensen made some great plays to make the final set a back-and-forth affair.
Tied at 20-20, the gym at Lynnfield High was roaring with “let’s go Lynnfield” chants as the Pioneers tried to battle back into the game. Even with the crowd roaring, Ipswich settled down and finished off the Pioneers 25-21 to claim victory.
As the Pioneers’ season progresses, they will try and improve on defending the middle offense and quickening their pace to ensure they are at their best.
Michael Coughlin Jr. can be reached at [email protected]
