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Week 8 is in the books …

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The fall sports season is winding down at Whitman-Hanson Regional High.

Here is a look back at Week 8:

Cheerleading won the Patriot League title on Saturday, Oct. 26.

Boys’ cross country (6-3) routed Quincy/North Quincy, 15-50, Wednesday, Oct. 23. Leading the way for the Panthers was Theo Kamperides, who placed first overall. … On Saturday, the W-H boys, buoyed by a personal best time of 15:50.7 by Kamperides, took first place at the Patriot League meet.

Girls’ cross country (4-5) also dominated Quincy/North Quincy, 19-44, Wednesday, October. 23. Sophomore Myah Kamperides led the Panthers with a first-place finish. … On Saturday, Kamperides (19:32) set a new personal best, as the W-H girls placed third at the Patriot League meet.

Field hockey (4-10-5) fell to Silver Lake, 3-2, Monday, Oct. 21. After sophomore Mary Kate Ryan and senior captain Maddy Tassey put W-H up 2-0 in the first half, the Lakers scored three in the second, including the winner with eight ticks to go. … On Tuesday, Todd Humphrey’s club upset Duxbury, 3-2. Senior Robin Goyette and sophomore Rosie MacKinnon scored to put W-H up, 2-1 at the half, but the Dragons tied it at 2. Then, with 10 minutes to go, junior Brooke Nisby scored the winner. … On Wednesday, W-H was shut out by Scituate, 2-0. … The Panthers capped their season Friday with a 1-1 tie against West Bridgewater. Nisby had the lone Panthers goal.

Football (2-6) fell to Hingham, 21-14, Friday, Oct. 25. Senior Devin Coulstring led the Panthers with 86 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Boys’ soccer (9-7-1) upset Duxbury, 2-0, Tuesday, Oct. 22. Senior captain Jason Brodeur and junior Brendan Nehiley struck for goals, while senior captain Andrew Sullivan posted the shutout in net.

Girls’ soccer (14-1-1) got a goal from sophomore Olivia Borgen with two minutes remaining to top Duxbury, 1-0, Tuesday, Oct. 21. … On Wednesday, junior Alexis Billings scored with 14 minutes left, as the Panthers edged Norwell, 2-1. Sophomore Nora Manning had W-H’s first tally.

Girls’ volleyball (12-8) rolled past Abington by a score of 3-1 (25-15, 24-26, 25-14, 25-24) on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Sophomore Lily Welch starred for W-H, racking up nine kills, eight solo blocks and five block assists. … On Thursday, the Panthers capped their regular season with a 3-1 (9-25, 25-23, 16-25, 14-25) loss to Rockland. Sophomore Abby Martin and senior captain Lexi Connolly dominated in the front row, each notching six kills in the loss.

*Express weekly roundups include scores from Sunday to Sunday. 

Boys’ cross country and girls’ soccer shine in Week 7

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A look back on all the Week 7 action at Whitman-Hanson Regional High:

Boys’ cross country (5-3) topped Silver Lake (18-45) and Scituate (22-39) in a tri-meet on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Junior Theo Kamperides finished the 2.81-mile course in the top spot with a time of 16:14.

Girls’ cross country (3-5) fell to Silver Lake (18-41) but beat Scituate (19-44) in a Tuesday, Oct. 15 tri-meet. Sophomore Myah Kamperides finished third overall to pace the Panthers with a time of 20:09.

Field hockey (3-8-4) began the week on Tuesday, Oct. 15 with a 1-0 loss to West Bridgewater. … On Thursday, the Panthers struggled the find the back of the net again — getting shut out by Hingham, 3-0. … They turned it around Sunday for a 2-1 win over Norwell. Sophomores Joli Flamos and Olivia Phelps provided the offense, while the defense held of its end of the bargain.

Football (2-5) was routed by Duxbury, 41-8, Friday, Oct. 18. Senior captain Tommy George scored the lone Panther TD, and junior Declan Hanaphy recorded a safety.

Boys’ golf (4-11) wrapped up its season with a 268-270 victory over Duxbury. Junior Aidan Miller stole the show on senior night, shooting a 3-over par 39.

Boys’ soccer (8-7-1) got a goal from sophomore Jayden Stafford to top Martha’s Vineyard, 1-0, Tuesday, Oct. 14. … On Wednesday, senior captain Jason Brodeur scored to send the Panthers past Plymouth North, 1-0. Senior Andrew Sullivan had the shutout in both wins. … On Thursday, Broduer scored again, but the Panthers fell to Silver Lake, 3-1.

Girls’ soccer (12-1-1) kicked off the week with a 2-1 victory over Plymouth North on Tuesday, Oct. 15 to secure the Patriot League Keenan Division title. Seniors Riley Bina and Anika Floeck scored for W-H. … On Thursday, sophomore Olivia Borgen netted a hat trick to send W-H over Silver Lake, 3-0. The victory was the 350th of head coach David Floeck’s career. … On Saturday, sophomore Kelsee Wozniak went off for a hat trick and Borgen added another goal as W-H avenged its only loss of the season, topping Weymouth, 4-0.

Girls’ volleyball (11-7) swept Silver Lake, 3-0, Tuesday, Oct. 15 to capture its 11th win of the season. The set scores were: 25-16, 25-10 and 25-12. Junior Delaney Rowell had nine kills and sophomore Lily Welch tallied five kills and two solo blocks. … On Thursday, W-H fell to Duxbury, 3-0 (9-15, 24-26, 12-24). Welch had five kills and, four block assists and three solo blocks. On Saturday, Samantha Richer’s club fell to Rockland, 3-0 (9-25, 24-26, 12-25). Welch had four kills, three solo blocks and four block assists in the loss.

*Express weekly roundups include scores from Sunday to Sunday. 

Borgen nets hat trick, Floeck notches 350th career win

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Consistency.

It’s been the hallmark of David Floeck’s tenure at the helm of the Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ soccer team.

He hasn’t had a losing since 1999 and his staff has remained in place — for the most part over his 24 years.

Today — powered by a hat trick from sophomore Olivia Borgen — Floeck notched his 350th career win with a 3-0 victory over Silver Lake.

“We’ve has a consistent staff and a lot of good players come through here,” said Floeck, who’s churned our three D1 players over the past two years. “We say we want to get better every day and keep it going so we do enjoy that success.”

Borgen struck for two of her three goals in a 10-minute span in the first half and capped it in the 60th minute.

“She’s been a spark plug in finding the back of the net,” Floeck said. “We have some others who have been struggling finding the back of the net but we hope that’s going to round itself out as we head into the tournament.”

Sophomore Ava Melia and seniors Samantha Perkins, Erin Wood and Courtney Woodward anchored the defense in front of junior goalkeepers Reese Codero and Kylie Colclough.

“We’re coming together back there,” Floeck said. “We gave up some goals earlier on the season that we don’t usually, but we’re coming together.”

The Panthers (11-1-1) secured their first Patriot League Keenan Division title since 2015 on Tuesday with a 2-1 victory over Plymouth North.

“We want to get better every day and we felt if we did that, certain things would come our way along the way,” Floeck said. “We want to get better every day and get into the tournament and hopefully have some success.”

Leaders of the pack: Running runs in the Kamperides family

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From left to right: Cousin Myah, brother Theo and sister Niki. / Photo by: Sue Moss

Myah and Theo Kamperides have combined to win nine races this season.

Theo Kamperides rounded the baseball field and set his sights on the finish line, where there were two people who could be heard cheering him on louder than everyone else — his sister Niki and cousin Myah.

Myah had just taken first in the girls’ race, while Niki took fifth overall to power Whitman-Hanson Regional High past Plymouth South.

Theo edged his Plymouth South opponent by one second to win his race to lift the boys’ team to victory. The trio — brimming with excitement— celebrated with a group hug at the finish line.

“I knew Myah won when we were warming up at the starting line,” Theo said. “It was awesome.”

While it’s a moment they said they won’t forget, it’s been a sequence they’ve replicated often this year. The sophomore, Myah, has won five of her six races, while Theo, a junior, has finished in the top spot four times, and Niki, a senior, remains the Panthers’ No. 3 runner.

“It’s always fun when you get kids who are almost a lock to come in first place,” said W-H cross country head coach Steve George. “But it’s far more enjoyable because they’re here every day practicing hard with smiles on their faces.”

The Kamperides began preparations for the season this summer, and they did it as a group.

“We would do workouts together on the track twice a week,” Niki said. “We’d also all go to the weight room twice a week.”

But even with a familiarity of Myah’s blazing speed, Niki said she’s taken aback by her cousin’s success. That’s because Myah didn’t even run cross country as a freshman last year.

“I’ve been really impressed, as a sophomore coming in with this as her first year at cross country, Niki said. “I think it’s amazing.”

Myah played soccer instead, until she changed her mind during the winter. She does attribute some of her success to her time on the pitch, though.

“I have a strong finish, so I felt like soccer gave me the ability to give me the strong finish that I have,” Myah said. “During winter track, I just fell in love with cross-country and the whole team convinced me to do cross-country instead of soccer.”

Myah’s first-place finishes against Marshfield (covered 2.85-mile course in 19:38), Hingham (covered 2.98-mile course in 19:47) and Duxbury (covered 5K course in 20:14) were the lone bright spots in a few tough meets for W-H.

Myah Kamperies was unbeaten in her first five races. / Photo by: Sue Moss

“Without her, we would have been shut out at Hingham, we would have been shut out at Marshfield and at Duxbury as well,” George said. “Those are some good teams and Myah’s beaten them all.”

Myah’s times have been so above the norm that George has her practice with the boys’ team a couple of days a week.

“Her training paces fall within the parameters of our lead boys’ group,” George explained. “On some easy days, because she is also capable of higher mileage, it makes sense for her to run with the boys. Other days, and almost always on workout days, she works with coach (Kim) Coletti and our top girls’ group.”

For Theo, he picked up cross country in the sixth grade, but he didn’t start running full-time until last year when he decided to do indoor track instead of wrestling.

Theo Kamperides has won four races this season. / Photo by: Sue Moss

“During wrestling season we would joke around that the only thing he likes were the stair workouts because they were running up and down the stairs,” said his sister Niki.

Said Theo: “Yeah, my favorite thing in wrestling was the running on the track.”

And when Theo honed in on just running, he rounded into form as the Panthers’ top boys’ finisher in every race last autumn, and then set personal bests in the 1-mile and 2-mile races during the spring.

“He was prepared during all three seasons from Day One and had a better base to work from,” George said. “Nobody works harder than Theo. He is the poster boy for success in distance running at W-H.”

Myah said she’s been feeding off her cousin Theo’s success for a while now.

“I remember the year before when I was going into my freshman year, we went on a run together because I always knew I was going to do track and he ran eight miles and I could only do four,” Myah said. “I was really impressed and that pushed me.

“Even last year when I played soccer, all my friends said, ‘He’s so fast.’ That pushed me too.”

While Niki’s times don’t quite rival her brother and cousin’s, she shares a part of the success.

“She has a lot of (influence on me),” Myah said. “She is one of the most positive people on the team. She just tells me and everybody to keep going during workouts.”

George echoed Myah’s sentiments.

Niki Kamperides is the Panthers’ No. 3 runner. / Photo by: Sue Moss

“Niki is a highly regarded team member,” he explained. “I find her to be incredibly funny and a teammate who is quite vocal in support of all her teammates. I’d love to have a dozen more just like her.”

And the Kamperides would love to have a dozen more seasons just like this.

“It’s great, it’s really fun,” Theo said. “I would want to not do it without them. When Niki graduates, it’s going to be really sad when she’s not here.”

Added Myah: “It’s fun because we’re all similar people and we always get along and enjoy each other’s company.”

Said Niki: “It makes me glad at the end of the school day to be able to have this with them because we’re not in classes together. To be able to do this together is really fun.”

Girls’ soccer, volleyball qualify for tournament in Week 6

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The rain put a halt to much of the action for Week 6, but a pair of the games that were played resulted in a trip to the postseason.

Boys’ cross country (3-3) just barely dropped its meet to Duxbury on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 26-29. Junior Theo Kamperides took first overall with a time of 16:24.

Girls’ cross country (2-4) got a first-place finish for Myah Kamperides (20:14) but was let down by the rest of its pack, as it fell to Duxbury, 20-35, Tuesday, Oct. 8.

Field hockey (2-6-4) dropped its game against Plymouth North, 5-2, Tuesday, Oct. 8. Sophomores Lauren Dunn and Olivia Phelps provided the Panthers’ offense.

Football (2-4) couldn’t hold on to its 6-0 lead and fell to Marshfield, 20-6, Saturday, Oct. 12. Junior Cam Cummings scored the lone Panthers touchdown.

Boys’ golf (3-11) kicked off the week dropping a 224-228 decision to Plymouth North on Monday, Oct. 7. Sophomore Chris Ross shot a 5-over par 36 for W-H. … On Tuesday, Brian Dempsey’s club fell to Silver Lake, 265-274. Senior captain Ian Brown was the low man for W-H, carding a 7-over par.

Boys’ soccer (6-6-1) was edged by Marshfield, 1-0, Monday, Oct. 7.

Girls’ soccer (9-1-1) received a goal and an assist each from junior Alexis Billings and sophomore Olivia Borgen to get by Marshfield, 2-0, Tuesday, Oct. 7. The Panthers qualified for the tournament for the 19th straight year with the win.

Girls’ volleyball (10-5) had a busy week. On Monday, Oct. 7, Samantha Richner’s club swept Marshfield, 3-0 (25-16, 25-14, 25-19). Junior Sophia Berardinelli led W-H with six aces, while senior Brooke Beauregard chipped in 22 digs. … On Thursday, W-H drooped a nail bitter to Hingham, 3-2. The set scores were: 24-26, 15-25, 25-21, 30-28, 10-15. Junior Kayla Faghan and senior captain Olivia Martin tallied six kills apiece. … On Friday, W-H powered by Plymouth North, 3-2 (25-23, 20-25, 24-26, 25-23, 15-11), and qualified for the tournament for the first time since 2016. Junior Delaney Rowell had seven kills, while sophomore Megan Stone pitched in five.

*Express weekly roundups include scores from Sunday to Sunday. 

Curry’s Villanueva develops new appreciation for football: ‘I missed it more than anything.’

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Nick Villanueva. / Courtesy photo: SportsPix

Nick Villanueva is an “all-around” leader for the Colonels.

As he sat in his dorm room at the University of Rhode Island in the fall of 2015, Nick Villanueva couldn’t help but think about one thing — football.

For the first time since third grade, there were no shoulder pads to put on, cleats to tie or playbook to study. He was out of the game. 

“I missed it more than anything,” Villanueva, a Hanson resident said. “At that time, all I could really do was follow the Patriots. I was watching football every day.”

Villanueva opted to attend URI in order to pursue a degree in engineering despite being recruited by colleges to play football, after hauling in 31 passes for 538 yards and two touchdowns in his senior season at Whitman-Hanson Regional High in 2014. He quickly realized URI wasn’t the place for him.

“I started missing the game and everybody because I saw the football team there playing and everyone preparing for the season,” Villanueva said. “It was the first time I hadn’t had to go through camp and everything.”

It wasn’t completely lost time for Villanueva, though. He pushed himself to the limit in the weight room, with a mission of getting back into the game the following year. After transferring to Curry College, he was one step closer.

“I had a coach who coached at W-H and coached at Curry, coach [Steve] Scott, and he told me a lot about Curry and the program and I should give it a shot,” Villanueva said. “I was like, ‘Yeah, I’ve been waiting,’ and I kind of made my decision really quick.”

His next step was to pick up the phone and call Curry head coach Skip Bandini.

“I told him who I was and that I was interested in playing football,” Villanueva said. “I had to almost ask to play.”

Bandini let Villanueva come to camp. He caught the coach’s attention right away.

“I saw a kid that was very well mannered,” Bandini said. “He’s very articulate. Coach Scott said that this is a kid that we want on our team and coach Scott was right.”

Since making the team, Villanueva has blossomed into Curry’s go-to offensive weapon at wide receiver, earning Second-Team All-Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Football Offensive selection in 2017 and Second-Team All-CCC honors last season. But his biggest achievement came heading into this season: being voted as team captain.

“It’s a great honor,” Villanueva said. “To have my teammates think of me as a leader for them makes me feel incredible. I just want to be a member of the team and not only lead by example but make sure everyone’s on the same page.”

Bandini called Villanueva an “all-around leader.”

“Any company would love to hire this kid,” he said. “We have players speak in front of recruits all the time and their parents. He gets up there and is very articulate, passionate about what he talks about, clear and concise and he certainly delivers a great message, so I think that makes him stand out above the other people.”

Last season, Villanueva ranked in the top five in the conference in receptions (50, third), receptions per game (5.0, second), receiving yards (655, fourth), receiving yards per game (6.5, third) and yards per reception (13.1, third).

“The system is great and practicing every day and just being part of the system kind of made it happen,” Villanueva said. “My teammates make me that much better, I just happened to be the one in the right place at the right time.”

Villanueva said he has a new appreciation for the game of football now, after going a year without it.

“Coming to Curry changed my whole life,” Villanueva said. “It was probably the greatest decision I’ve ever made. Whether I have anything going on in my personal life or school, once I step foot between those sidelines and get on the field, all that goes out the window and it’s a whole new life. I loved the game my whole life but having that time off made me realize it’s not always going to be there for me so I have to take advantage of it while I have it.”

‘Thank God I didn’t quit’: Adversity drives Newman’s cross country career to Bentley

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Abbie Newman. / Courtesy photo from SportsPix

Hanson resident Abbie Newman is a junior co-captain on Bentley University’s cross country team.

Abbie Newman remembers her freshman year at Whitman-Hanson Regional High well. But the first few weeks, predominantly, come to mind.

“I got into cross country because my mom ran,” said Newman, who hails from Hanson. “I was just like, ‘Whatever, I’ll try it.’ But I got through the first couple of weeks of practices and was like, ‘This is horrible.’”

After that, she was ready to quit.

“It was so much work and I didn’t think I could do it,” Newman said. “It was a lot.”

But those feelings were altered over time because of her supporting cast.

“Coach Keith Erwin (former Whitman-Hanson cross country coach) and my teammates kept me going,” Newman said. “They just kept pushing me.”

And Newman said she’s thankful they did keep her running. If they didn’t, she wouldn’t have been elected as a junior captain this fall for Bentley University women’s cross country team.

“Being voted as a captain is probably my greatest accomplishment,” Newman said. “It gives me a lot of confidence.”

Newman admits her results weren’t what she wanted them to be last season, as she battled through some dietary issues, but her work ethic and upbeat attitude at practice never wavered, according to her coach.

“She leads by example,” said Bentley women’s cross country head coach Kevin Curtin. “Just week in and week out she does the work, and takes care of things academically. She shows up to practice and does what she’s supposed to do and she just consistently goes out and does it.”

Being a captain has many different responsibilities.

“We lead the practices, all the stretches and running with them and making them feel comfortable with our training,” Newman said. “They also come to us with a lot of questions based on academics.”

Curtin said Newman raises the bar for the newcomers.

“The freshmen look to her and see her and know what they should be striving for,” said the coach.

Newman is still a key contributor on the course. In the Bentley’s latest race, the Capital Cross Challenge out in Sacramento, California, held on Sept. 28, Newman was the third Falcon to cross the finish line with a time of 24:28.3.

“I’m really looking to stay healthy and be a contributing member of the team and be at least top four or top five,” she said.

Now, six years later, when Newman reflects on those first few weeks of her freshman year of high school, she does it with a chuckle.

“I just think it’s funny now and looking back realizing that thank God I didn’t quit,” Newman said.

Dissecting Week 5

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A look back on the fifth week of fall sports action at Whitman-Hanson Regional High.

Boys’ cross country (3-2) split a tri-meet on Tuesday, Oct. 1, falling to Hingham, 25-30, while topping Pembroke, 15-50. Junior Theo Kamperides finished first overall for W-H with a time of 16:09.

Girls’ cross country (2-3) also split its tri-meet on Tuesday, Oct. 1, falling to Hingham, 20-43, and cruising past Pembroke, 15-50. Sophomore Myah Kamperides took first overall at 19:47, but Hingham placed the next nine runners.

Field hockey (2-5-4) played to three ties. On Monday, Sept. 30, junior Brooke Nisby scored as the Panthers tied Norwell, 1-1. … On Thursday, junior Madi Savicke notched a shutout in net, as W-H tied Hanover, 0-0. Senior captain Victoria Ryan and juniors Noel Cornetta and Skylar Leonard clamped down on defense. … Then on Friday, Savicke recorded another shutout, as Todd Humphrey’s squad played to a 0-0 draw against Marshfield.

Football (2-3) routed Plymouth North, 35-14, Saturday, Oct. 5. Junior quarterback Jason Murphy hooked up with senior wide out Colby Garden for a pair of TD passes in the win.

Boys’ golf (3-9) opened the week Wednesday, Oct. 2 with a lopsided loss to Marshfield, 239-258, despite senior captain Ian Brown earning match medalist by shooting 4-over par 38. … On Thursday, W-H dropped a close one to Hingham by the final score of 224-225. Senior captain Brian Fox paced the Panthers, shooting 1-over par 35.

Boys’ soccer (6-5-1) tallied 7-0 shutout over East Bridgewater on Monday, Sept. 30 to begin the week. Senior captain Jason Broduer (two goals and two assists), junior Peyton Collins (goal and an assist) and classmate Brendan Nehiley (two goals) led the scoring barrage. … On Wednesday, Dave Leahy’s team fell to Pembroke, 1-0. … The Panthers rebounded on Friday for a 4-1 win over Hanover behind a pair of goals from junior Joel Arsenualt.

Girls’ soccer (8-1-1) received a goal from sophomore Olivia Borgen with 17 minutes to go to top Pembroke, 1-0, Wednesday, Oct. 2. … On Friday, both sophomore Kelsee Wozniak and senior Erin Wood scored in a nine-minute span as W-H rallied to tie Hanover, 2-2. Junior Alexis Billings had the assist on both goals. Senior captain Samantha Perkins and sophomore Ava Melia anchored the defense.

Girls’ volleyball (8-4) swept Pembroke, 3-0, Wednesday, Oct. 2. The set scores were: 25-20, 25-17 and 25-18. Sophomore Abby Martin led the Panthers with nine kills and five solo blocks. … Then, on Friday, Samantha Richner’s team swept Hanover, 3-0. Junior Delaney Rowell had seven kills, while Abby Martin chipped in with four.

*Express weekly roundups include scores from Sunday to Sunday. 

Girls’ soccer unbeaten through three weeks

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Another week of fall sports is in the book at Whitman-Hanson Regional High.

Here is a look back on all the action:

Boys’ cross country (2-0) edged Plymouth North, 26-30, Wednesday, Sept. 18. Junior Theo Kamperides finished second over all with a time of 14:07 for the Panthers, who took three of the next four spots thanks to senior captain Brandon Hager (fourth, 15:02), sophomore Nathan Tassey (fifth, 15:07) and senior captain Adam Solari (sixth, 15:18).

Girls’ cross country (1-1) dropped a nail bitter to Plymouth North on Wednesday, Sept. 18 by the final score of 27-29. Sophomore Myah Kamperides led the way for W-H, placing first overall at 17:16, but the Blue Eagles took four of the next five spots.

Field hockey (0-5-1) continued to struggle, falling to Marshfield, 3-0, Tuesday, Sept. 17. … On Thursday, the Panthers then fell to Silver Lake, 3-1. Junior Christina Short got the Panthers on the board first, but it was all Lakers from there.

Football (0-3) fell to New Bedford, 27-7, on Saturday, Sept. 21. Senior Jon Zeiden had seven catches for 50 yards in the loss.

Boys’ golf (3-4) went two for three in Week 3. Brian Dempsey’s club just nipped Plymouth South, 275-277, Tuesday, Sept. 17, on the back of a 2-over par 38 from junior Aidan Miller. … The following day, Miller continued to stay hot, carding a 4-over par 40 but the Panthers fell to Silver Lake, 280-289. … On Thursday, the seniors found their strokes, and W-H walloped Quincy, 259-318. Senior captain Matt Korzec shot an even par 36, and fellow senior captains Ian Brown and Brian Fox both registered 6-over pars.

Boys’ soccer (3-3-1) beat Plymouth North, 3-1, Monday, Sept. 16. Junior Peyton Collins tallied a goal and an assist, while both senior captains Jason Brodeur and Stevie Kelly had goals. … On Wednesday, Broduer scored twice, as the Panthers shut out Martha’s Vineyard, 3-0. Junior Joel Arsenault had two assists, and Collins added a goal and an assist. … On Friday, the boys fell to Silver Lake, 3-1. Broduer had W-H’s goal.

Girls’ soccer (5-0) tallied three goals in an eight-minute span to rally past Plymouth North, 3-1, Monday, Sept. 16. Senior Erin Wood notched the score with 20 minutes remaining and senior captain Samantha Perkins gave the Panthers the lead when she headed home a corner kick from classmate Anika Floeck. Sophomore Kelsee Wozniak tacked on some insurance with 10 minutes to go. On Friday, David Floeck’s team routed Silver Lake, 5-1. Wozniak, junior Ana Sullivan, sophomore Nora Manning, senior captain Zoe Cox and sophomore Olivia Borgen (also three assists) all scored for W-H.

Girls’ volleyball (5-2) topped then-undefeated North Quincy, 3-1, Monday, Sept.16. Senior Marissa Connell shinned for the Panthers with four kills and six solo blocks, while sophomore Lily Welch pitched in three kills and three solo blocks. … On Wednesday, the girls dropped a tough one to Plymouth North, 3-0. Each set was dropped by two points. Sophomore Abby Martin paced the losing Panthers with four blocks and four kills. … On Friday, Samantha Richner’s team topped Plymouth South, 3-1, behind 12 kills and 12 blocks from Welch.

*Express weekly roundups include scores from Sunday to Sunday.

Season Preview: New coach, new expectations for girls’ volleyball team

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Photo by: Sue Moss

The girls’ volleyball team is looking to return to the tournament.

It’s been three years since the girls’ volleyball team at Whitman-Hanson Regional High has made it to the tournament.

This season’s group wants to change that, and first-year head coach Samantha Richner is up for the challenge. A 2013 W-H alum, Richner played four years for the Panthers.

“[Coaching] is something I have always wanted to do, and to do it in the program I was once a part makes it even more special,” Richner said. “I think I bring a different energy to the team than there was in past years.”

Richner inherited a program on the up, doubling its win total from four to eight last fall under then-head coach Ashley Balbian.

“My main message to the girls is that it is up to them what they get out of this season,” Richner said. “I believe this team has the talent and the potential to go far. I try and help them realize that, and to also realize that they need to put in the appropriate and required time and effort to get the results they want.”

Seniors Lexi Connolly and Olivia Martin return as captains to anchor the club, while classmate Maya Faich also serves as captain. Richner said they’ve made her transition seamless.

“To prepare myself for the season, I frequently reached out to the captains, who have been amazing, to see where the program was at, what they wanted to change, what they thought should stay the same,” Richner said. “I realize how important this sport is to these girls.”

Connolly, a four-year varsity player, who posted 103 digs and played in all 52 sets last season, starts at outside hitter and can also play the back row.

“Lexi is a crucial part of our team; she is such a well-rounded player,” Richner said. “Lexi is someone I know I can count on the get the job done, and I am sure the team feels the same way.”

A three-year varsity player, Olivia Martin (41 sets played last season) starts at right side hitter.

“Liv is a great player to have on the team and because of her we are able to have three strong front row hitters on the court at the same time; which is a huge advantage,” Richner said.

Faich, who racked up 81 digs last autumn, takes over at libero following the graduation of Nicole Scott.

“Maya is willing to do about anything to get a ball; she is such a selfless player,” Richner said. “Maya is an athlete who puts in the work year round, and she is one of our strongest players because of it.”

Sophomore hitters Abby Martin and Lily Welch, junior setters Caileen Hurley (119 assists last season) and Sophia Berardinelli and senior hitter Marissa Connell will also be pivotal the team’s success this season.

And Richner said in order to obtain success, it starts with having the right attitude.

“You have to have a competitive mentality,” said the coach. “You also have to have a learning mentality; we have to be able to learn and grow from or mistakes to make ourselves better.”

The Panthers return to the court Friday, Sept. 20 at 5 p.m. at Plymouth South.

“Our goal this season it to make it tournament,” Richner said. “I met with the captains last spring and they expressed to me that this was their goal for this season. I believe, without a doubt, that we have the talent to do that. For right now, our focus is to fine-tune our skills, and then we will take it from there.”

 

*This story will run in the Express’ print edition on Thursday, Sept. 26.