LYNN — Lynn Classical’s volleyball team held Senior Night against Revere Wednesday evening. With a 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-16) sweep of the Patriots, the Lady Rams closed their regular season with a remarkable 18-2 record — the best in school history.
Going into the match, Classical had a few goals: get the seniors involved; win with a sweep.
“Today was about getting our seniors in and letting them enjoy the night,” said Classical coach Chris LeBlanc. “We knew, no matter what, we had to win 3-0. We had to win 3-0 because we really wanted a home game in the playoffs and we knew if we did that tonight, it pretty much solidified us as a home team.”
It looked like Classical had the first set in control with a 17-9 lead, but the Patriots made a run to get within one point (20-19). However, after a Lady Rams’ timeout, they closed the set with a 5-2 run.
“The first [set] was tough. They all came out with those senior nerves and it was a bit sketchy and touch-and-go,” LeBlanc said. “They found a way. The one thing this team is unbelievable at is . . . we put ourselves in bad situations, but they fight and find a way to win. They’ve been doing that all year.”The Lady Rams haven’t lost a set in their last eight matches.
“The last time we lost a set was at the end of September in a 3-2 win over Revere. We haven’t lost a set in the month of October,” LeBlanc said. “It’s because they’re willing to just fight, fight, and scrap – and not give up.”
One player who stood out was senior captain Brooke Braswell, who added she was thrilled to close out her career at home. She also praised her teammates for their energy.
“It feels so good to win on Senior Night,” Braswell said. “I feel like the team has worked so hard to get here. We had so much energy and worked so hard throughout the year to get here.”
Braswell, fellow senior captain Emma Chevalier, and senior Riley Bishop set the tone around the net. Braswell (5 blocks), Chevalier (4), and Bishop (4) combined for 13 blocks.
“Emma and Brooke, as a tandem, I would argue, is one of the best tandems in the state,” LeBlanc said. “Lynnfield’s got a really good tandem, but these girls are unbelievable. They do everything we ask as leaders on the court and everybody follows.”
The Lady Rams – ranked No. 13 in the MIAA’s latest Division 3 power rankings – are primed for a home playoff match.
“It feels amazing, especially as a senior. To get a home game means so much,” Braswell said. “I worked so hard this season – as did my teammates. We put in so much work to get this.”
LeBlanc has coached a handful of successful teams, but puts this group near the top.
“I’m more impressed with this team than maybe any team that I’ve coached here. The first game of the year, what I talked about happened — we lost the first game — and I think a lot of it had to do with new people who were on varsity, but not used to starting minutes,” he said. “Once they got that out of their system, everyone kind of settled in and figured out their roles. These girls have done an incredible job of getting better throughout the season.”
Seniors Braswell, Bishop, Chevalier, Arziella Jorge, Suri Reyes, Stacia Wonoski, Jada Tejada, Nadia Wonoski, and Meredith Kennedy were honored.
