LYNN — The Lynn Classical volleyball team is a week into the new season and behind head coach Chris LeBlanc, the Rams are setting the bar high in what they hope will be a successful campaign.
This year, LeBlanc decided it was best to play a lot of scrimmages leading up to the regular season compared to previous years when they would only have one or two scrimmages before the first game.
“The first week was really good,” LeBlanc said. “I think we’re in a bit of a different spot this year. Normally it’s just practice, practice, practice. But this year I think we need more game practice. So instead of scrimmaging just once before the season, we scheduled four scrimmages.”
This past Friday, the Rams competed in the Greater Boston League Jamboree where despite going unbeaten, LeBlanc was focusing on ways to improve.
“We had our first scrimmage on Friday for the GBL Jamboree. It’s not about wins or losses, but no one beat us,” LeBlanc said. “That’s not what I’m necessarily looking for. I’m seeing if girls can get through their rotations, see who can play what position, and see what we need to iron out before the season starts.”
Despite losing two starters from last year, the Rams are returning seven “core players” who helped contribute to a successful year that saw Classical win the City Tournament.
“I knew we had a good core coming back. For this core I felt they needed more game-like reps rather than burying them with drills and sprints,” LeBlanc said. “Just knowing where I think this team can be, I feel they’ll benefit more from scrimmages than practices.”
When asked what is different between this year’s team and last year’s, LeBlanc talked about the experience of the players.
“The biggest difference this year is that they all have one more year of varsity experience under them,” LeBlanc said. “I think the experience they have and their understanding of the offensive and defensive systems will start to show.”
LeBlanc continued.
“Last year we were so young,” LeBlanc said. “I made a conscious decision to try and get the program in a direction where we can be consistent on a year-on-year basis. I started a lot of young players last year. One of my setters who started last year was a freshman and I had four others who got significant playing time as sophomores.”
Now with another year of varsity experience under the team’s belt, the Rams have set their goals, which includes repeating as City Tournament champions.
“Our first goal is to try and win the City Tournament. If we don’t win it, it’ll be a disappointment. We won last year and I think we’re better than last year,” LeBlanc said. “I think we should be in contention for the GBL title. We’re also in Division 3 this year dropping down from Division 1, so I would like to see if we can make a run in the playoffs.” Two players who will be key in Classical having success are senior captain Linda Jallow and junior captain Amanda Hughes.
“Linda Jallow is one of our middle blockers,” LeBlanc said. “I think she’s going to be a solid defensive presence and be able to mix in some offense to keep the other team off-speed and keep them off of our pin hitters.”
On Hughes:
“Our pin hitter Amanda Hughes is a junior and I feel she set herself up for this to be a breakout year and be a real effective attacker of the volleyball,” LeBlanc said.
The Rams will look to rack up a ton of aces as LeBlanc says his team has a lot of depth and quality at the server position.
“Normally on a good year I have two to three girls who I can count on as quality servers,” LeBlanc said. “This year I have seven to eight girls who can serve. Now it becomes who doesn’t get to serve. I have a lot of confidence that we are going to be serving aggressively and putting the other teams on the defensive.”
The regular season begins next week and the Rams are excited for the start when they take on Somerville next Wednesday.
“The girls are so excited. We have scrimmages the next three days and when we get into the start of the season we have games right away,” LeBlanc said. “We have Somerville next Wednesday and then the City Tournament on Thursday and Friday. We have three games in the first three days of the season, so the kids are excited to see where they are against the other teams.”
