Boys' Volleyball Seeking One More Win for Post-Season Berth

The update below was supplied by Rod Fletcher, head coach of the boys' volleyball team.

At nine wins and nine losses, the Wayland High School boys' volleyball team needed one more win to make the post season tournament when they traveled to Arlington this past week. In a knock-down, drag-out battle of serves, digs, spikes and blocks the Spy Ponders out lasted Wayland for a 3-2 win in a hard fought match by both teams.

Wayland jumped out to an early lead in game one behind the serving of Ben Haspel and solid play from Dave Cohen and outside hitter Nick Tempesta. Arlington closed the gap but Wayland took the first game 27-25.

The second game was another close one with Christian Eng setting for the Warriors and Harry Leavitt and Cameron Chin digging and scoring on spikes until the scrappy Arlington team was able to take it 26-24.

Both teams came out blasting in the third game and the Warriors' two middle blockers Kurt Straube and Greg Karpacz stepped up with multiple hits and blocks to lead the Warriors to a 30-28 victory after multiple deuce and game points by each team.

With Wayland leading the best of five game match 2-1, the Warriors got an early lead in game 4 only to see the Spy Ponders come back to take both the game 25-23 and the momentum in the match.

In the deciding 5th game Arlington got out to an early lead and the Warriors could not close the gap losing 15-10 (the fifth deciding game, if needed, is played to 15 points, win by two.)

"I loved the way our guys competed in this match hustling and battling for plays and points," Coach Rod Fletcher said. "These close matches are a real test and are why we play. And of course winning is always more fun, but I could not be prouder of the team effort today."

The Warriors, now 9-10 on the season, will host Marlborough at the WHS Fieldhouse next Monday, senior night for the Warriors' nine seniors, needing one last victory to make the post season.