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Boston Globe
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Eastern Mass. boys' volleyball: Globe Players of the Week for May 8-15
Liam Quinn , Chelmsford — Putting up 26 kills, 10 digs, and 6 blocks, the Merrimack-bound senior came up big in Anthony Rubim , Greater Lawrence — Dealing 45 assists, reaching 1,000 for his career, and clinching at least a share of the conference title were part of the junior's day to remember in Advertisement Brookline's Alec Smagula sets the ball during a Bay State Conference match against Natick at Brookline High School on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe Alec Smagula , Brookline — The junior recorded 15 of his 35 assists in the third set of a sweep against Needham, in a week that saw the Warriors finish the gauntlet of top Bay State Conference matches with just one loss, putting them on the brink of clinching the conference title. Obi Umeh , Acton-Boxborough — The senior popped 18 kills and five blocks as the Revolution won a four-setter over Newton South. He added 11 in a sweep of Milford. ACTON, 5/29/2024 - Obi Umeh (4) of Acton-Boxborough and Jayden Pelletier of St. John's Prep (1) during A-B's victory over St. John's Prep in a Division 1 first-round volleyball match. JOSH REYNOLDS FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE (Sports, Traub) JOSH REYNOLDS FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE/Josh Reynolds for The Boston Globe AJ Traub can be reached at
Boston Globe
12-04-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
There's something special brewing in Brookline, where the boys' volleyball team is roasting the competition
That's a 25-20, 25-16, 25-14 sweep on the road for — AJ (@aj_traub) Though the Warriors have been on the outside looking in at the other top three teams in the Bay State Conference (and the state) the last few years, this season, they are ready to join that top tier. Brookline (5-0) opened as the Globe's No. 1 team and 'We have made it far in the playoffs, but there is a different feeling with this season,' said junior Amir Tomer . 'I felt coming into the season, the vibes were kind of a new chapter for Brookline volleyball. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'It feels like we've taken a step in the right direction, and it really feels like we have something special going here.' Advertisement Brookline senior Kristaps Vaivars has benefitted from a new offense under first-year coach Lexi De La Cruz. Barry Chin/Globe Staff Though nearly all starters have returned from last year's quarterfinal squad, the big change is the new coach. Lexi De La Cruz is not just a SMASH Volleyball Club coach, but a libero on the Boston Bounce, a Volleyball League of America team. Prior to this season he coached some of his Brookline players, and has found opportunities to play alongside them as well. 'He pushes us every day,' said Smagula. 'Whether it's him coaching us or him getting on the court and playing against us — he's one of the best players in New England and I've luckily been able to be coached by him on the beach a lot — he brings the same energy to the beach and that energy and that passion for the sport. Advertisement 'When you see your coach demonstrating that and showing so much passion and love for every single player, it makes you want to win. It makes you want to play your hardest. It makes you want to leave everything on the court.' Luka Gallucci is a sophomore helping anchor the middle for Brookline. Barry Chin/Globe Staff De La Cruz learned volleyball growing up in Puerto Rico, where the sport is popular enough to have a professional league. He brings an aggressive style and passion for the sport into his coaching. 'Coming here and seeing it might not be the biggest sport was a challenge to me,' he said. 'I'm trying to make sure every team I coach looks cool. Everyone wants to see them play volleyball.' It has not taken long for Brookline to implement De La Cruz's game plan: running offense through the middle to open up the court. Senior Kris Vaivars , Kris Vaivars tries twice at the pin, then smacks a kill from the middle. This is how the Warriors are finding lanes — AJ (@aj_traub) 'Because everyone can hit from the outside, middle, right side, or back row, we're able to run a lot more plays,' Vaivars said. 'Other high school teams are really not used to that because plays like that are not common in high school.' With Smagula — Liam Raybould and sophomores Kais Al-Fakhuri and Luka Gallucci in the middle, there are many ways the Warriors can win a point. Advertisement 'This year, our team has literally unlimited weapons,' Smagula said. 'There are 10-plus guys on our team that can put a ball down.' The only position the team needed to fill this season was libero. Senior Andrew Bacon is getting starter minutes for the first time. His sister Bella , a junior, was 'I watch her all the time and take notes from her,' Andrew Bacon said. 'As far as playing the same position, I'd say she really helps me out because she can pass and hit. So she allows me to do things that are also fun. Most people don't have a sister that plays.' Great dig by Andrew Bacon and Alec Smagula takes it himself. What a play by the Warriors! — AJ (@aj_traub) Bacon said Smagula, whom he considers the best setter in the state, has developed chemistry with him quickly. It's Bacon's first, and last, ride, and his excitement is evident. 'It's everything I wanted,' he said. 'Being the [top-ranked team], starting as a libero. I couldn't ask for more.' Natick, MA - 4/{itcday}/2025 - 05BVOLLNOTES -- Brookline players celebrate during the win. High school feature/notes on top-ranked Brookline boys' volleyball during a Bay State Conference match vs host Natick. Brookline won the match in three straight sets. Photo by: Barry Chin/Globe Staff ) Section: Sports, Reporter: AJ Traub. Barry Chin/Globe Staff Set points • O'Bryant's coach, Paul Pitts-Dilley , said the team's 6-foot outside hitter, Louis Chiu , is often relied on for his height and athleticism. However, off the court, the junior is ranked fifth in his class. On April 4, Chiu presented an affordable Cuffless Blood Pressure Measurement at the Massachusetts Science and Engineering Fair. The project, which addresses an increase in high blood pressure among adults, earned the Christa McAuliffe and the Sanofi Specialty Care Grand Prizes in March. Advertisement He will represent Boston Public Schools in May at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Columbus, Ohio. Even with the added responsibility, Pitts-Dilley said Chiu has been dependable for the Tigers. 'We only see maximum effort and a smile,' Pitts-Dilley said. 'There is no better role model for what we are trying to do at the O'Bryant.' • With a strong start and a 3-1 win over Agawam, Chicopee Comprehensive (6-0) is proving that last year's run to the Division 2 quarterfinals as a 22-seed was no fluke. The junior-heavy squad kept its record undefeated with a five-set win at Longmeadow on Thursday. Matches to watch Saturday, No. 12 Acton-Boxborough at No. 10 New Bedford, noon — A pair of one-loss teams meet for a weekend matinee, and it will be A-B's first taste of nonleague play. Monday, No. 6 Cambridge at No. 2 Newton North, 4:30 — A big test for the undefeated Falcons: the defending Division 1 champion coming off its first loss. Monday, No. 8 BC High at No. 13 St. John's (Shrewsbury), 6:15 — St. John's (S) beat St. John's Prep. Then the Prep beat BC High. If BC High can take out the Pioneers, who have just the one win, it will open up the Catholic Conference. Tuesday, No. 1 Brookline at No. 2 Newton North, 4:30 — The Warriors took down the other top Bay State teams, but have yet to test their breakout season against the defending champions, who will be on the second match of a back-to-back. Correspondent Alexa Podalsky contributed. Advertisement AJ Traub can be reached at
Boston Globe
27-02-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Childhood neighbors to playoff heroes, Alex Peck-Sam Hubbard connection lifts Natick boys' hockey past Weymouth
After the Wildcats (13-8-2) equalized with Ryan MacDonald's goal with 2:05 left, the Redhawks responded. On a low-to-high play, Peck found junior Grady Flynn at the goal line. Flynn returned the favor back to Peck in the high slot, and he made no mistake. Advertisement 'You're not even thinking out there, honestly,' said Peck, who netted his 18th goal of the year. 'Pass it down low, get it right back. Once I saw it go in, it's one of the best moments ever.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Natick's Sam Hubbard (left) is joined by teammate Tate Cogliano to celebrate one of his two goals against Weymouth. Barry Chin/Globe Staff Natick took leads of 1-0, 3-1, and 4-3, but each time, Weymouth had an answer – except in the final two minutes. 'With 13 seniors, being able to refocus is the most important,' said Natick coach Karl Infanger. 'We've practiced all year for the final two minutes.' Related : Hubbard upped his goal total to 29, slamming home a power-play one-timer off a feed from Peck. In the third period, Hubbard scored shortside, more than willing to showcase his devastating wrist shot. Hubbard, the team's leading scorer, was also a Globe All-Scholastic on the gridiron. He proved his football prowess with a series of devastating hits. 'It's like clockwork out there,' said Peck, on playing with Hubbard. 'I know that he wants the puck on his stick, so I'm looking for him.' Related : After losing to Weymouth, 5-3, on Jan. 4, the Redhawks emerged victorious in a battle of Bay State Conference division winners. 'They beat us earlier in the season, so to get that game back on them, that's awesome,' said Hubbard. 'It helps us going deeper in the tournament.' Natick's Joe MacDonnell (6) celebrates after putting the Redhawks up 3-1. Barry Chin/Globe Staff Natick's Brauer Malcom (31) makes a save late in the third period. Barry Chin/Globe Staff Natick's defense puts the squeeze on Weymouth's Ryan Ferguson (center). Barry Chin/Globe Staff Weymouth goalie Billy Lennon makes a save as Natick's Alex Peck looks for the rebound. Barry Chin/Globe Staff Cam Kerry can be reached at
Boston Globe
08-02-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Newton North boys' basketball erases halftime deficit to beat Brookline and capture Bay State Conference crown
The Tigers (16-1, 13-0) clinched the Bay State Conference title with the win. 'I'm really happy for my guys,' said Newton North coach Paul Connolly. 'It's one of those things that we talk about. That's one of the goals in the beginning of the year.' FINAL: Newton North 63, Brookline 51 Senior captain Teagan Swint led the No. 2 Tigers (16-1) with 16 points. Newton North moves to 13-0 in Bay State Conference play. Brookline falls to 14-5, 10-2. — Henry Dinh-Price (@henrydinhprice) Less than two minutes into the second half, Newton North junior forward Bryson Mercedes drilled back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Tigers their first lead, 34-31, since the opening quarter. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'I was ready, just catch and shoot. Automatic. I'm wide open,' said Mercedes, who finished with 10 points. Advertisement Viola (15 points) responded with a floater and a free throw to tie it back up, but Tigers surged for an 8-0 run and never looked back. Senior captain Teagan Swint, a McDonald's All-American nominee, drilled his first outside shot. Junior Mathaois Stamm (12 points) capped the run with a wide-open layup created by a series of quick passes. Related : In the opening half, the Tigers were content too often to watch Swint try to create with the ball in his hands. After the break, they were able to establish more ball and player movement, which led to five second-half 3-pointers. 'The second half, we got a little bit more movement away from the ball,' said Connolly. 'That really helped free some things up for [Swint] and then for others.' Swint had 11 of his 16 points after halftime. The Tigers also held Shi (10 points in the first half) to just 2, a thunderous putback slam, after halftime. Shi, who was primarily defended by Mercedes, fouled out with 2:27 to play. 'His defense was fantastic on the big kid,' Connolly said of Mercedes. Related : Newton North grew its lead to as many as 14 to secure the league title. Advertisement 'You look at that banner up there, we've won a lot of league championships,' Connolly said, motioning to the Boys' Basketball banner hanging in the Newton North gymnasium. 'Those kids now, every time they come back, they know that they won the league championship.' Henry Dinh-Price can be reached at
