Barnstable rolls to another South title

By Zach Hosseini, Globe Correspondent | November 11, 2007

For 12 straight seasons Barnstable has been the class of Division 1 South.

Make that 13.

Barnstable cruised to its 13th consecutive sectional title, walloping New Bedford, 3-0, yesterday in Wareham.

Middle hitters Stephanie Bristol (16 kills) and Kara Cullen (10 kills) led the Red Raiders, who won, 25-11, 25-10, 25-10.

Barnstable (21-2) jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first game thanks to quick kills from Cullen. The lead swelled to 22-8 before the Whalers rattled off 3 points, to close the gap to 22-11. But Bristol and Cullen combined for 3 points to close out the first game.

The Red Raiders rushed to early advantages in the next two games.

The Red Raiders lost just once this season to a Massachusetts opponent, dropping a 3-2 decision at Medfield, which snapped a 116-match winning streak that had stretched over six seasons.

Barnstable will face the Division 1 North winner (Andover or Lawrence) Wednesday at Milton.

Division 1 Central/West - Second-seeded Milford (20-3) is two wins from a state title after sweeping fifth-seeded Lincoln-Sudbury, 3-0, at Medway in the sectional final.

The Scarlet Hawks, who won, 25-21, 25-19, and 25-19, advanced to the state semifinals for the first time since 2001. Milford will meet North Quincy Tuesday in Ashland.

"We've been prepping for this moment," coach Linda Zacchilli said. "These girls started with me at the JV level and came up with me through varsity. We've been together for a while, and I've got to tell you, it feels good to be back on top again."

Senior setter Kristen Morcone led the way with 28 assists, 6 kills, 2 service aces, and 2 service points.

Division 2 South : Bourne defeated top-seeded and previously undefeated Fairhaven, 3-2, to capture the Division 2 title. The sixth-seeded Canalmen (19-5) won the first (25-17), third (27-25) and fifth (15-9) games, while Fairhaven (21-2) won the second (25-12) and fourth (25-22).

Division 2 Central - After watching Westboro win the first two games of the final against Medfield in convincing fashion, it looked like the Rangers would cruise into the state semifinals. But top-seeded Westboro (21-1) was pushed to a fifth game before escaping with a 3-2 victory over the Warriors and earning a spot in the Division 2 state semifinals. The Rangers won, 25-19, 25-21, 21-25, 22-25, and 15-12, and will face West champion Longmeadow Tuesday in Marlboro.

Division 2 North: When Carolyn Eddy's push bounced off the top of the net and fell among four diving Melrose defenders, it wasn't just the end of Central Catholic's thrilling 3-1 victory in the sectional final in Andover, it was redemption. That point meant Melrose wouldn't do to Central what it had done the last three times the teams faced off in the playoffs: end the Raiders' season.

Central Catholic coach Gannon Paris said the Raiders' depth was key in pulling out the win. Central started as many sophomores (four) in the championship as they have seniors on the roster.

"They're young, but they're not inexperienced," said Paris. "They can play."

Sophomore setter Eddy proved Paris's point, filling the scoresheet with 30 assists, 18 service points - three of which were aces - and five kills.

"It's awesome, we're all wicked hyped," said Eddy.

Division 3 Central - Millis, which was swept by Ashland in last year's final, returned the favor against the defending champ, winning, 3-0.

"It's amazing," said Millis coach Lisa White. "We don't have any seniors so hopefully we don't stop until the end of 2008."

Kendra Kennedy had 18 assists and six aces and Jess Lee had eight kills for Millis, which won, 25-12, 26-24, and 25-23.

Division 3 South - Ursuline Academy secured a place in the state semifinal for the fourth time in five seasons by sweeping Westport, 3-0, in Wareham.

The Bears (19-4) weren't challenged, winning the South final, 25-10, 25-17, and 25-11.

But Bears coach Eric Neely said the most important test for his team will come in Tuesday's Division 3 semifinal showdown against North Reading, which defeated Notre Dame (Tyngsboro), 3-0, in the North final. In his first two years on the job, Neely led Ursuline to South titles, but each time was ousted in the state semifinals.

Neely said this version of the Bears, seeded third in the sectional, is the most equipped team he has had to handle the big stage. He had little to complain about against top-seeded Westport (21-4). With his team looking loose and in control from the start, the Bears cut through Westport's withdrawn defense. The Wildcats conceded they couldn't compete with Ursuline's hitters, so they dropped off the net and tried to clean up balls headed for floor.

Neely said his team was prepared for the tactic. The Bears kept their cool and hit their spikes crisply.

Division 3 North: Notre Dame of Tyngsboro's Cinderella run was halted by fourth-seeded North Reading, 3-0, in Andover.

The 11th-seeded Lancers had upset the sixth, third, and second seeds before falling to the Hornets, 25-9, 25-17, and 25-21.

Globe correspondents Jack McCluskey, Ricky Popolizio, and Adam Hughes contributed to this report