LYNN — No. 15 Lynn Classical (18-3) advanced to the Round of 16 in Division 3 with a 3-0 win over No. 18 Groton-Dunstable Friday night. The Lady Rams defeated the Crusaders in set scores of 25-14, 25-14, and 25-17.
When it comes to managing the stress of players, certain coaches go different routes. For Classical coach Chris LeBlanc, it was simple: scrimmage.
“I was nervous coming into the game. I watched a lot of film on them and they looked like it was going to be a tough match,” LeBlanc said. “We played a scrimmage yesterday and the way they approached the scrimmage, they were really loose, but confident, and they carried that into tonight. They didn’t come in today tense, which is what I was worried about.”
There was a common theme throughout the first set: Emma Chevalier to Amanda Hughes for the kill.
Hughes (13 kills, block, 5 digs, 2 aces) has racked up more than 500 kills in her career, while Chevalier (25 assists, 2 kills, 4 aces, 9 digs) boasts more than 1,000 assists.
Throughout the season, but specifically on Friday, it was a hard combo to stop.
“They work so well together. On any team, if you don’t have that going, you’re not going to go very far. They’ve been working together now for three years, so they had a lot of time to work on their game,” LeBlanc said. “They’ve grown as players and both are better than they’ve ever been. They work together and are good friends.”
Hughes couldn’t have agreed more with her head coach.
“We’re best friends on and off the court,” she said. “We just have a really good connection.”
As one of the captains, Hughes was happy seeing each and every player give it their all.
“It feels great,” she said. “When your season is on the line, you give it 110 percent and keep pushing. You never take your foot off the gas.”
After taking the second set, 25-14, the Lady Rams looked hungry to put the game to bed in the third set.
Well, they were lethal, whether it was Brooke Braswell’s blocking at the net, Nevaeh Eth, Hughes, or Jaiyda DeBenedetto with kills, or Mia Pento (20 digs) putting her body on the line to secure digs.
“I think the difference was that we were able to be terminal more often,” LeBlanc said. “When we got our swings, they picked some up, but we were able to put more balls down more efficiently than they did.”
Classical will face the winner of Saturday’s match between No. 2 Medfield and No. 34 Notre Dame (Worcester).
Last year, Classical was eliminated by Medfield, 3-0. This year, however, if the Lady Rams face Medfield again, LeBlanc hopes last year’s experience can go a long way.
“It’s a potential return visit to Medfield. We’re hoping it goes a little differently. Emma got concussed in warmups last year. Hopefully, that doesn’t happen again,” LeBlanc said. “We went in there a little bit intimidated because of the team and the atmosphere, but they have already been there and I think that’s off the table now. It’s the same team. We’re just missing one starter from last year’s team. They all saw it and, hopefully, that brings us a little closer and puts us over the top.”
For Hughes, if it’s another trip to Medfield, she said she’ll be ready.
“This year, we’re more experienced,” she said. “We have six seniors and six of us start. We have the experience. Last year, it was the first time ever getting past the Round of 32. This year, we’re prepared and ready to go.”
