PEABODY — In one match, one set, one moment, it could all be over.
The postseason began for Bishop Fenwick’s volleyball team Friday evening, with the No. 11 Crusaders playing host to No. 22 Arlington Catholic in the Division 3 state tournament.
And in a 3-1 final at Fenwick High, chalk it up as a success for the hosts.
“We were revved up coming in,” said Fenwick coach Alexis Bedard. “We played Arlington Catholic last week and lost to them in five sets – a very long, very exhausting match. Today, both mentally and physically, we kind of knew what to expect… so we have been really working on our endurance in practice and testing our boundaries.”
It was all Fenwick early, winning the first set (25-16).
“I think, very early on, they really, really wanted it, especially with us not being able to be in the tournament last year,” Bedard said. “So, I know they are really fueled up and nothing is going to stop them.”
Well, the second set didn’t stop them, either. It was a 25-23 win for the Crusaders to put the pressure on.
When asked who impressed her Friday evening, Bedard was quick to respond.
“I think Calli Symond, my captain outside. She’s always our powerhouse… and Kylie Murphy, my middle, she was revved up and ready to go,” Bedard said. “And always, my centers in Teagan Davenport and Emme Lubas. They are always ready to set the girls up and make a good play.”
At last – in a loud gymnasium and on the verge of elimination – Arlington Catholic finally broke through with a third-set win (26-24). Suddenly, the nail-biting finish made things interesting.
“I think the girls played hard,” said Arlington Catholic coach Kenzie Eisnor. “I think we had a few down plays, but we were able to bounce back. We started with energy and we finished with energy. We took a set from Bishop Fenwick. I think, overall, they played a good game. … We can not hang on to why we lost – we must learn from it.”
Fenwick captured the last set, 25-16, to punch its ticket to the Round of 16, where it will face the winner of No. 27 Pentucket Regional and No. 6 Nipmuc Regional (TBD).
“We have to keep moving forward,” Bedard said. “We are on to the next.”
Owen Finn is student at Endicott College studying journalism
