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The state Division 1 tournament is about to get underway for the Winchester High boys volleyball team (11-9), the 19th seed in the final power rankings. A total of 43 teams made the postseason in this division.
When it’s all said and done, the MIAA (Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association) has Coach John Fleming’s team going to Barnstable Friday night (May 29) to take on the Red Hawks (16-4), the 14th seed, in a Round of 32 matchup, starting at 5 p.m.
The Red & Black split their last two regular season games, beating Arlington, 3-0, before dropping a 3-2 close decision to non-league Cambridge. They were both played at home.
“I thought (this) was our best match of the year from start to finish,” said Fleming after the Arlington encounter. “The first time we played them at Arlington we won 3-2 in a really competitive matchup. In this one, our guys really stepped up and played great, and it’s even more meaningful, as it was also our annual Spike Out ALS match.”
Proceeds from it went directly to the Healey Center for ALS at MGH (Massachusetts General Hospital).
“We have had nine Spike Out ALS matches over the years, which began (in order) to show support for one of our senior players, Philip Marks, and his family. His dad, Rick, had been diagnosed with ALS,” said Fleming. “Just months later in October, my own father, Bill, was also diagnosed with the same disease. Both ended up passing the following year. Our hope is to continue the annual event to raise awareness of this disease, while also helping (collect) some funds to support the research and care for those living with ALS.”
Despite the loss to Cambridge (11-9, ninth seed), a Top 10 team in Division 1, Fleming thought his team stayed right them.
“It was a great (way) to finish the regular season, and it was a good tune-up for the state tournament, as well. This (match) should prove to our team that we can play with any team in the state,” said Fleming. “We had our opportunities, but just couldn't make enough plays in the fifth set to get the win.”
Winchester has some recent history with Barnstable, its first state tournament opponent, and that was a 3-0 home loss back on April 9.
“(That match) was much closer than the final score would indicate,” said Fleming. “We lost all three sets by a combined seven points – six is the fewest points you can lose by. Every set came down to the wire, and we had a few set points, as well. We have been in seven five-set matches this season, so we have been in high pressure moments, and hopefully that will pay off the second time around against Barnstable. Barnstable is a good team with some big-time hitters, but we match up pretty well with them. It should be one of the best first round matchups in the state (this weekend).”
Joe McConnell is a longtime, award-winning sports editor for numerous North Shore publications. He began covering Winchester sports for the News in November 2024 and is currently its Sports Editor. He can be reached at editor@winchesternews.org.
