The No. 13 Lynn Tech volleyball team avoided a scare in the Division 4 Round of 32. Through set scores of 23-25, 25-12, 25-23, 22-25, and 15-11, the Tigers defeated No. 20 Mystic Valley Charter, 3-2, in a five-set thriller.
Tech was led by Zahara Belizaire’s 27 assists, 14 kills, 10 digs, and pair of aces. Helping the cause were Mahlyna Williams (32 digs), Lia Morales (16 digs, 7 kills, 6 aces), Kayla Rivera (15 digs), Angelica Santini (15 digs), Niya Bingham (9 kills), Kaylee Deschamps (7 kills, 3 aces, 3 digs), Katie Tartarini (8 digs, 5 kills, 4 aces), and Azya Castro (6 kills, 6 digs).
“It was an unbelievably hard-fought match by two great teams,” said Tech coach Kaitlyn Wechsler. “Complete all-around team effort.”
VOLLEYBALL
No. 13 Lynn Classical 3
No. 20 Hudson 0
The Lady Rams (19-2) punched their ticket to the Division 3 Round of 16 through set scores of 25-13, 25-22, and 25-14. Classical was led by Brooke Braswell, who recorded 18 kills, 10 digs, three aces, and three blocks. With her 265th career kill, she broke Amanda Hughes’ single-season kills record of 251.
Emma Chevalier poured in 22 assists, five kills, five aces, and eight kills.
“Tonight was a solid win for us,” said Classical coach Chris LeBlanc. “Whenever you get into the tournament, you never know how the team will respond and after a slow start in the first set, the girls really turned it on for the rest of the match. Brooke and Emma were outstanding in all phases tonight.”
No. 29 Bishop Fenwick 3
No. 36 Greater Lowell Tech 1
With Thursday’s Division 3 preliminary-round win (25-12, 17-25, 25-20, 25-21), the Crusaders (10-11) set up a Saturday date with No. 4 Lynnfield (18-2). Fenwick was paced by Emme Lubas (32 assists), Charlotte Spooner (12 kills, 8 aces, 18 digs), Kylie Murphy (5 blocks, 4 aces), Brittney Figulski (9 kills), and Anna Diranian (8 kills, 16 digs).
No. 35 St. Mary’s 3
No. 30 Norwell 2
No home court, no problem for St. Mary’s (12-9), which advanced to Saturday’s Round of 32 against No. 3 Joseph Case. Through tight set scores of 25-18, 23-25, 25-23, 23-25, and 15-13, the Spartans pulled off an upset behind Sky Watson (24 kills) and Gabi Lorenzini (20 kills).
No. 29 KIPP 3
No. 36 University Park Campus 0
After earning a home-court match in the Division 5 state tournament, the Panthers took advantage with a three-set win against University Park Campus (Worcester). KIPP (12-9) visits fourth-ranked Lenox Memorial (18-1) Friday at 5 p.m. in the Round of 32.
No. 2 Newton North 3
No. 31 Peabody 0
Newton North (19-2) continued its dominant season with a sweep (25-19, 25-17, 25-18) against the Tanners (13-8) in the Division 1 Round of 32. Lizzy Bettencourt (11 kills, 12 digs) ended a stellar four-year career with 1,154 kills and 876 digs. Sydney Lynch had 12 kills, bringing her career total to 780.
“Seniors Lizzy Bettencourt, Sophia Coburn, Yorna Demiri, Sydney Lynch, Matilda Olowu, Camila Quezada, and Alyssa Zito all played their hearts out in their final game as a Peabody Tanner,” said Peabody coach Sherrill Erickson, who added Mackenzie Landry and Kaylee DiNicola also played well.
FOOTBALL
Swampscott 33
Salem 0
Blocksidge Field was defended well by the Big Blue (6-2) Thursday night, while Salem fell to 3-5. After last week’s 185-yard, three-touchdown performance against Saugus, running back Will Bush stayed hot with another four touchdowns against the Witches.
Beverly 22
Peabody 0
Beverly (5-3) stormed onto Coley Lee Field, brushed off the rain, and took down host Peabody (0-8) Thursday night. Sean Costa scored three times for the Panthers, who also recorded a safety.
Medford 14
Saugus 0
Saugus (1-7) had its moments in enemy territory, but couldn’t find the end zone. The Sachems fell for the fifth consecutive game, with their last win coming in Week 3 against Lynn Tech.
BOYS SOCCER
Bishop Fenwick 1
Malden Catholic 1
Fenwick qualified for the Division 3 state tournament with a tie on enemy turf. Edwin Flores (16 goals) scored for the Crusaders, who wrapped their regular season with a 7-7-4 record. MIAA soccer brackets will be released Saturday.
Xaverian Brothers 5
Peabody 0
Despite strong performances from Chris Oliveira, Ethan Hartford, and Arthur Rocha, according to Peabody coach Stan McKeen, the Tanners concluded their regular season with a home-field loss.
