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After convincing shutout wins over North Andover (10-11, 26th seed) and Needham (16-3, 10th seed) to begin the Division 1 state tournament this past week, the Winchester High girls volleyball team (21-1, seventh seed) is now preparing for an Elite 8 showdown against host Newton North (20-2, second seed) on Friday night, Nov. 7, at 5 p.m.
Needless to say, Coach John Fleming likes what he sees so far, especially considering the wins were at the new WHS gym.
“What a great way to open the newly renovated gym,” Fleming said after the Oct. 30 matchup against North Andover. “Our players, particularly the seniors, were thrilled to finally get a chance to play in the high school gym. We were hopeful to get that opportunity earlier, but there was a slight delay. But, as it turned out, it was well worth the wait, and I’m glad the four seniors – Johanna Melhorn, Julia Campo, Nora Harstad and Gwen Gaiko – played in the match, because they had been such great leaders all year long.
“The new gym is amazing, and is a great venue for a playoff game,” the coach added. “I think after some initial playoff and first home match jitters, the girls settled in and played better, as the match wore on.”
The coach went on to say that junior Defne Mergen (5 aces, 26 assists) did an “awesome job” in distributing the ball against the Scarlet Knights, while Hazel Lovins (10 kills, 4 aces), Maddie Crooks (9 kills) and Melhorn (8 kills) also kept them on their toes. Izzy Bormann (2 kills) played a significant factor in the win, as well.
“North Andover could never get into (its) defensive sets,” said the veteran coach.
It was more of the same against Needham on Nov. 3, also at the new gym.
“This was a matchup that probably should have been an Elite 8 or better (encounter),” said Fleming. “There is no way that Needham was the 10th best team in the state. They are likely one of the Top 4 or 5 teams in the state. It was a tough draw to get them in the second round, but we were happy that it was at home this year.”
Last year, Winchester lost in five sets to the Rockets at their place in the Elite 8.
“I think last year's loss might have added a little fuel to our fire,” said Fleming. “(Needham) played inspired volleyball, but this was perhaps one of our best matches of the season. The first and third sets were pretty dominant, and we were also able to serve really well to disrupt their offense.”
Coming into the match, Needham’s serves on both sides of the court were its strong suits, but the Red & Black forced some errors on them, while also passing very well, according to Fleming.
Karen Huai led the way for the home team with five aces.
“Karen gave us some great momentum with her serving,” said Fleming. “Maddy (Crooks) and Johanna (Melhorn) also gave them a tough time.”
Crooks was credited with four aces in this electrifying win. Melhorn also factored significantly into this win with three aces, eight kills and four blocks.
“Johanna was a beast in the middle, and (Needham) didn't really have an answer for her,” said Fleming.
Lovins (14 kills) had some “big-time swings,” when her teammates needed them the most, the coach said. Mergen (4 kills, 26 assists) came up with some strategic kills that also played a role in the win. Viviana Cella had a few blocks to also help out the cause as the team’s second middle.
These two wins have set up the aforementioned battle with the Tigers in the Elite 8 Friday night. Newton North has already defeated the Winchester girls back on Oct. 17, 3-1. That loss also spoiled their quest for a perfect regular season.
“We hope to get a big crowd to Newton North (on Friday night),” said Fleming. “We played them earlier this year to prep for a potential rematch in the tournament, and now, we have it.”
Fleming knows that Newton North is “a great team.” They are led by the state’s reigning Player of the Year. They have also won three straight state titles.
“We know we have our hands full, but we also know we have a tremendously talented group, and if we play like we did on Monday (against Needham), we feel like we can beat any team in the state,” said Fleming. “It should be an outstanding high school sports environment, and this is exactly what our kids have worked for this year – to get that opportunity to beat the top-ranked team in the state.”
Joe McConnell is a longtime, award-winning sports editor for numerous North Shore publications. He began covering Winchester sports for the News last November.
