Anyone in attendance for the two boys volleyball state finals at Worcester State last year witnessed one of the most suspenseful days in the sport’s modern history.
Newton North, after a miraculous reverse sweep of Natick in the state semifinals, clawed back in five sets against three-time reigning champion Needham to win its first state title. Wayland was a set away from the same feat in Div. 2, but Westfield’s 15-13 finish in the fifth set completed an epic reverse sweep for its fifth state title in seven seasons.
It was a one-of-a-kind conclusion – at least until this June rolls around.
All early indications in both divisions point to another potentially chaotic finish between the same powers. For Div. 1, much of that stems from the early Final Four favorites all hailing from the Bay State Conference.
The conversation starts with reigning champion Newton North, looking to write its own dynastic chapter in the history books. Senior All-Scholastic outside hitter Simon Vardeh steps into the limelight as arguably the state’s top player. Brady Dwyer is one of the state’s top liberos, returning alongside middle Peter Reale and hitter-turned-setter Paul Nelson. Freshman Aaron Stein (outside hitter) draws hype as a standout transfer from Oregon, and Bryson Mercedes steps up to solidify the middle.
Needham fell a set short of its fourth straight state title last year, but doesn’t have revenge on the mind. Instead, it just aims to be in the mix deep in the tournament once again. Andrew Kurdziel and Jeremy Bullard-Smith are a dangerous tandem in the middle, while returner Ben Vu has impressed at libero. We’ve seen plenty over the last decade what this Needham program can do.
Natick, however, does long for revenge after reaching match point (24-21) in the third set of its state semifinal loss to Newton North. Star senior Branch Barnes can take over matches, and the RedHawks are excited about returning middles John Carroll and Simon Pedrelli. Codi Gibendi and sophomore Evan Katz provide depth for new starting setter Luke Dratch.
Brookline is the only of the Bay State Conference’s power four to fall short of the state semis last year, but looks fit to go the distance as arguably the state’s top team early on. Star setter Alec Smagula has elite outside hitters Kris Vaivars and Amir Tomer to work with. Liam Raybould and Luka Gallucci are strong middles as well for new head coach Lexi De La Cruz.
Heartbreak from reverse sweeps in the Final Four last year fuel much of the fire in Div. 2.
Finalist Wayland returns what head coach Phil George calls, “the strongest team I’ve ever coached,” in hopes of a better ending. Star junior Finn Bell is one of the state’s most dominant outside hitters. Outside hitter Cooper Szeremeta complements him with junior middle Dylan Engelhart, while libero Mason Lee, hybrid player Liam Frenzel, and setter Zach O’Donnell stand out.
Wayland only reached last year’s Div. 2 final after pulling off a stunner in the state semifinals against Agawam, which features a deep returning lineup. Setter David Dzhenzherukha and hitter Joe Culhane are two of the state’s best to lead the Brownies’ hunt for a second title in three years.
They’re both chasing Westfield, which has plenty of talent and drive to reach the state final for a seventh time over the last eight years. Outside hitter Zach Kukharchuk, libero Nolan Rodgers and junior middle Bogdan Kuzin anchor a focused group ready for a repeat.
As for the rest of Div. 1, opposing coaches are excited about the field’s depth.
New Bedford’s unbeaten season ended in the second round last year, but a senior-laden group looks primed for a longer campaign. Abner Cun is the new starting setter, while middles Amir Salih Tavares and Michael O’Leary, outside hitter Nick Rosa, and standout libero Davon Centeio return to form a legitimate threat.
Milford’s rich pipeline replenishes a strong graduating class. Standout outside hitter Gus Da Silva returns, while sophomore Sam Abreu, senior Jason Comisky (setter) and sophomore Mayck Moreira (libero) step up.
Former Lexington assistant Marc Turiano takes over for the Minutemen, who figure to make plenty of noise behind outside hitter Alessandro Luciani, middle Nadav Vachtel and outside hitter Nic Sanchez de Rojas. Young Winchester expects to be in good shape with more reps, anchored by returning outside Tutu Sampaio, senior middle Brian Jiang, and senior outside Julian He.
St. John’s of Shrewsbury has the early edge in a tough Catholic Conference, led by star outside hitter Francis McGonagle, middle Phil Vignaly, libero Aarav Patel and opposite/setter Ani Vasudevan. St. John’s Prep is young but looks strong through outside hitters Michael Wagner and Jayden Pelletier. New-look BC High will be a tough out with Liam Poole, Ben Cleary, setters Nevin Kamalath and Martin Alvarez, and Gavin Magnus ready to make the leap in bigger roles.
Chelmsford ranks atop the ever-dangerous Merrimack Valley Conference, featuring talented hitters in Liam Quinn and Ridty Tauch. Young Lowell rebuilds through junior setter Vitou Seng and sophomore Aundre Rivera, while seniors Gianni Rodriguez and Ian Mao bolster it. Reigning conference champion Methuen graduated premier talent, but still has setter Shawn LaDuke to anchor it, and Andover is off to a hot start to threaten.
Acton-Boxboro will be a tough out, led by returning star setter Parth Pawar. Cambridge returns standout setter Eric Su, outside hitter Brennan Loud and opposite Maximilian Klumb. Lincoln-Sudbury looks to round into competitive form led by fourth-year varsity player Aubi Wells (outside hitter), junior setter James Guan, and 6-foot-5 outside hitter Avery Remley.
Expect Greater New Bedford, now with an independent schedule, to be tough, too.
Western Mass. ranks well in Div. 2 beyond the top-three forces, led by a Chicopee Comprehensive group that returns talent from last year’s Cinderella run as the No. 22 seed. West Springfield took Westfield to five sets already this year as another major threat.
Medfield is always competitive in Div. 2 out of the Tri-Valley League. Westwood hopes to make some noise in its first year, led by senior Gabe Caxoeiro (setter), Wesley Li (middle) and Jacobs Liu (outside). Nipmuc will turn heads.
O’Bryant and Latin Academy should be tough out of the Boston City League, too.