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For most high school state tournament teams in any sport, the ending is always disappointing. But upon reflection, they inevitably realize by just getting there means they still enjoyed success.
The Winchester High boys volleyball team (11-10), the 19th seed in the Division 1 state tournament, falls into that category, but theirs was more agonizing, because they had to deal with the long bus ride to Barnstable and back, where the host Red Hawks (17-5), the 14th seed defeated them, 3-1 in the Round of 32 on May 29.
However, Barnstable’s joy was short-lived after Natick (17-4), the third seed, shut them out, 3-0 in the Sweet 16. Those Metrowest Redhawks went on to beat Agawam (17-6), the sixth seed, in the Elite 8, 3-0, only to lose to Brookline (18-2), the second seed, in the state semifinals, 3-2.
The Division 1 state title game is scheduled for Friday, June 12 (6 p.m.), at Newton South High School between Needham, the top seed, and those Warriors from Brookline.
Coach John Fleming has no complaints about his team’s effort in the tourney opener.
“We fought hard in the final match of the season,” Fleming said. “We had a slow start to the match, and it took us a little while to adjust. We missed a bunch of serves in the first set, and as a result never found our rhythm. We played a little bit better in the second set, and I think that was (positive) momentum heading into the third set, when we played great.”
The Red & Black had been in seven five-set matches this season, and they were looking forward to playing their eighth against Barnstable, according to Fleming.
“We battled back and forth (to make it a reality), and even had the lead late in the fourth set, before ultimately losing it, 25-23,” added the veteran coach.
Fleming also understands that it was “disappointing to finish the season earlier than we had hoped for,” while adding, “I was really proud of the way they fought back in the third and fourth sets to give themselves a chance to come from behind to get the upset win.”
That aforementioned bus ride took 2-hours and 15-minutes one way, and Fleming admits that “it was not the easiest thing to overcome, and perhaps played a part in the way we started the match.”
He then went on to say, “but we knew we'd have to create our own energy, because there were only a handful of Winchester supporters, who made that long trip, and to do so we had to make plays. But starting in the second set, you could feel that we were beginning to make some of those energy plays, which created momentum for us.”
Fleming said that if his team picked up one or two more wins in those five set regular season matches, they might have moved up in the power rankings.
“We played some really strong teams this year, especially in our non-league schedule, when we went up against Acton-Boxborough, North Andover, Cambridge and O'Bryant. We were also so close in other matches, so I’m not so sure that our final record is indicative of the season we had,” Fleming explained.
The Winchester coach wished for the sake of his seniors that they could have gotten into that fifth set against host Barnstable, where winner-take-all scenarios often lead to upsets.
But Fleming also knows that the younger players gained considerable varsity experience. “They now know what it takes to be a good team, and it’s my hope that they will also understand what it will take to (get) to the next level in 2027,” he said.
English, Lubomirski among Top 6 players in the Middlesex League
Fleming said of Dawson English: “It’s incredibly impressive to see Dawson named to the All-League team in volleyball after missing all of last season, but it was also remarkable to see him named All-League and MVP in basketball during the winter season, especially in today's world of specialization. He is a hard worker, and a student-athlete that the younger kids can and do look up to. I think he has shown that you can play multiple sports at a high level, and be quite successful in doing so.”
Fleming also offered his thoughts on Ethan Lubomirski: “Ethan was a four-year varsity player, and three-year starter for us. I believe he was the best libero in the Middlesex League this year, and it was great to see the other coaches also show that level of recognition to make him a Top 6 player in the league. His serving and serve-receives this year were exceptional. In addition to all of that, his in-game defense was tremendous against some big-time hitters.”
Reno takes that next step to all-star
Fleming finished up with these all-star thoughts on Justin Reno: “Justin is perhaps our most improved player this season. He played in limited (matches) last year, but showed some great versatility by playing at times as an outside, middle or right-side hitter. This year, he really wanted to work at being one of our two outside hitters, and he definitely earned that role. Not only did he become a starter, he also flourished in it to become one of the top outsides in the entire league. Justin's big-time hitting was a huge reason for the team’s overall success this season.”
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.
