Boys volleyball’s most dominant dynasty had to lose its reign at some point, and it seemed the stars needed to align for it to finally happen this year.
There’s a lot to admire about what Needham accomplished over the past four seasons; using a blend of strategic mastery and overwhelming star power to run the table for three straight Div. 1 state titles and a historic 77-game win streak. And even though that win streak ended in April, the Rockets still managed to only lose twice in the regular season, and were one set away from making history as the only program in the sport to ever 4-peat.
The fact that all three of their losses this season came to Newton North, though, is just one of many signifiers that the state title was the Tigers’ destiny to secure this year.
For starters, Newton North was a consensus pick as the state’s top dog in the preseason. Senior Adam Christianson was considered the state’s best player as a hitter and setter, while Sam Huang and Simon Vardeh were viewed as elite complementary pieces within a large mix of high-level players. Anyone could have guessed they’d be in the Div. 1 Final Four.
That’s when things got a bit dicey, but it’s also when the true champions were forged.
Natick had an incredible season, as stars Branch Barnes and setter Harrison Landry anchored a group worthy of the state title in their own right. The RedHawks were a point away from sweeping Newton North in the state semifinals, too, before the Tigers executed an all-time rally for a reverse sweep to advance.
Needham bested Newton North in last year’s state final, and senior stars Luke Lorence, Devin Dellamarggio and Owen Ching anchored a 2-1 lead at Worcester State to almost do it for a second straight year. But again, the kings of clutch rallied, delivering Newton North its first state title to conclude one of the most notable postseason runs in recent history.
Other teams weren’t able to reach quite the same heights, but there was a lot of that notable play all over the state in Div. 1.
Milford’s crew of elite seniors anchored the program’s third straight trip to the state semifinals despite moving up from Div. 2 to Div. 1 this year. It was one of the few that could take down Methuen, which fell to the Scarlet Hawks in the state quarterfinals after securing its first Merrimack Valley Conference title since 1998.
Perhaps only Adam Christianson was a better player than Jamie Watt this year, who led a strong Winchester season all the way to the state quarterfinals against Natick. The Red and Black first took down a dangerous Lexington team, which says goodbye to coaching legend Jane Bergin as the longtime coach retired from teaching and coaching at the end of the season.
Newton North, Needham and Natick’s strength seemingly overshadowed another loaded Bay State Conference power in Brookline, which showed every reason why teams should have the Warriors on their radar as a top contender next year.
BC High was another team to reach new heights this year, advancing to its first state quarterfinals after posting a 7-10 record just two years ago. New Bedford was undefeated all the way up until losing to the Eagles, returning a bit of the glory from its historic reign in the 1990s.
Lowell said goodbye to an impressive group of seniors itself, matching up in the second round with a likely under-seeded Brookline group. Acton-Boxboro won the Dual County League for a second straight year before exiting in the same round, while Chelmsford, Lincoln-Sudbury and Cambridge looked like real threats to play heartbreaker.
The Div. 2 field seemed like a three-team race for the state title just about all year, but that didn’t stop suspense and surprise from tugging at heart strings in the final stages.
Wayland sophomore phenom Finn Bell was instrumental alongside seniors Joey Burke and Joe Kelly in shocking defending champion Agawam in the state semifinals with a reverse sweep, advancing to its first state final since 2017. And in fitting fashion, Agawam’s West neighbor Westfield pulled off the exact same feat over Wayland for the Bombers’ fifth state title since 2015.
Prior to that, it became apparent in the regular season and state tournament that there needs to be a shakeup of teams of the division – whether that’s moving Westfield, Agawam and Wayland up to Div. 1, or creating a third division with now over 140 boys’ volleyball programs in the state. All three were able to otherwise roll.
But that isn’t to speak ill of the other teams in the division.
Longmeadow had a marvelous season, advancing to its first state semifinals after edging out North Middlesex in a five-set thriller. Chicopee Comprehensive was a great Cinderella story by advancing to the state quarterfinals as the No. 22 seed, while Medfield and West Springfield built on strong reputations to get back to the state quarterfinals.
The Greater Boston League made a significant jump, hosting newer Lynn Classical and Chelsea programs that each advanced to the second round. Latin Academy took a step forward with a 15-7 season as the No. 6 seed. O’Bryant didn’t make it out of the tournament’s first round, but won the Boston City League title for a third straight yea
