When a volleyball team only loses one set in its first four matches, chances are, it’s the start of something special. Months later, it’s safe to say the Lynnfield Pioneers were in fact a special group.
The team went 20-4, won five straight matches to begin the season, went on a nine-match winning streak without losing a set, and lost just 16 sets in 24 total matches.
This past Tuesday, Lynnfield was eliminated by Joseph Case in the Division 4 state-semifinals, 3-1. The Pioneers won the first set, but lost leads in the following three and saw their season come to an end.
Head Coach Brent Ashley wanted to be emotional after the match, but said he was too proud of his team to be anything but happy.
“We honestly played our hearts out,” Ashley said.
Celia Carbone dished out 40 assists while superstar Ella Gizmunt – who played with a partially-torn meniscus in her knee – impressed with 26 kills and 12 digs.
Rewind time back to Sept. 7 – Lynnfield’s first match. The Pioneers hit the road to Triton and left with a straight-set victory. They carried that momentum and won their first five matches, winning 15 sets and losing just two.
Then, a bump in the road. Newburyport and Ipswich each handled Lynnfield as the Pioneers won just one set during the two games in three nights.
Despite the frustration, Lynnfield kept its head up and responded, storming back to win the next four matches without losing a set.
On Tuesday, Oct. 18, history began to unfold. The Pioneers won their first of nine straight matches without giving up a set – three of them being on the road with another three being in the always-intense postseason tournament.
In total, the Pioneers were 11-2 at home, 9-1 on the road, and 11-3 in Cape Ann League competition.
Gizmunt made her own history in a regular season match against North Reading, recording her 1,000th kill. The do-it-all talent was met with a roaring applause after Ashley called a timeout, and described her emotions as “so happy.”
So, this week may be a bit crushing for Lynnfield and the Pioneer faithful, but Ashley said the only thing he’s sad about is how he won’t coach the seniors again, and that every moment with his 2022 team was special.
“You can’t be sad if you never give up,” Ashley said.
