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Season Review: Girls’ volleyball soars under first-year head coach

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Photo by: Sue Moss

The Panthers made the tournament for the first time since 2016.

First-year head coach Samantha Richner and her Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ volleyball squad came into the fall on a mission. 

“The team and I set a goal at the beginning of the season, which was to make tournament,” Richner said. 

It was certainly an aggressive goal, considering the program hadn’t experienced a postseason berth since 2016 and graduated most of its starting unit from an eight-win 2018 campaign, to boot. But the Panthers knew what they were capable of, and they were right, punching their postseason ticket with five games to spare in the regular season with a 3-2 win over Plymouth North. 

W-H entered the Div. 1 South tournament seeded 11th, which meant a trip to Durfee to take on the seventh-seeded Hilltoppers in the first round. 

The Panthers rallied from one-set deficits twice, but were ultimately unable to put Durfee away in the fifth set, falling, 15-13. Richner’s had a simple message to her team, which finished the season 12-9, after the loss. 

“I basically said that no one’s head should be hung, and that they have so much to be proud of,” she recalled. “They truly played their hearts out, and it was an accomplishment just making it to tournament.”

Sophomore hitter Lily Welch (89 kills, 57 solo blocks, 13 block assists and five aces this season) nearly willed the Panthers to victory, posting a team-high five solo blocks and 19 kills, including a dominating stretch in the fourth set to rally the Panthers out of a hole.

“Lily is a phenomenal athlete, and she stepped up for us big that night,” Richner said. “I am so excited to be able to work with Lily these next two seasons, and to be able to watch her grow and develop as an athlete.”

In the back, senior captain and libero Maya Faich (244 digs and 19 aces this season) also put forth a valiant effort in the loss, notching 15 digs and three aces. Faich was named a league all-star and the team’s MVP.

“Maya is leaving huge shoes to fill,” said Richner, whose team began the season 9-4. “She is an amazing girl both on and off the court. I am not sure if we will be able to replace her anytime soon.”

Senior two-year captain and hitter Lexi Connolly (165 digs, 49 kills and 39 aces this season) is also leaving some pretty big shoes to fill. 

“Lexi was a great player to have on the court,” Richner said. “She played both front and back row, which was unique to our team.”

Senior setter Liv Martin (34 digs and 29 kills this season) is another two-year captain, who shouldered a big load this season. 

“Liv was an amazing player to have on the team,” Richner said. “Her dedication, motivation and attitude was something special.”

Sophomore hitter Abby Martin (94 kills and 40 solo blocks this season) and junior setter Sophia Berardinelli (248 assists, 22 aces and 14 kills this season) were also crucial to the Panthers’ success. 

“Abby was one of our strongest hitters; we are so fortunate to have her for another two years,” Richner said. “Sophia is an unbelievable setter, who can also play back row and hit; she is an unbelievable all-around player.”

And with those two, along with Welch, headlining the players set to return, Richner can’t help but be optimistic about the direction of the club. 

“The future of the program is looking bright,” said the coach. “We have a lot of strong players coming back, as well as potential talent from the JV and freshman teams.”

Season Review: W-H field hockey shows vast improvement

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The defense. / Photo by: Sue Moss

The Panthers rose their win and goal totals this season.

When sixth-year Whitman-Hanson Regional High field hockey head coach Todd Humphrey looks back on the past season, he breaks it into parts.

Part one: the Panthers’ first six games, in which they went 0-5-1. Part two: their last 13 games, in which they went 4-5-4. So what changed?

“The process truly began after the fourth game of the season against Hingham, where we lost 5-0,” said Humphrey, whose team finished the season with a 4-10-5 record. “We all agreed that we should not be losing 5-0 to any team. We looked at our practices, our pregame warm-ups, penalty corners, our positioning in the offensive zone and our game plans. The process lasted throughout the season, and we got better.”

So, when the Panthers played Hingham again, 10 games later, they lost 3-0. The game was a lot closer than the score indicated Down 1-0 at halftime, W-H surrounded two second-half goals to Keenan Division MVP Catherine McNally.

“After the game, there were a number of Hingham parents that reached down to shake my hand from the stands to commend me on the improvements of my team,” Humphrey recalled. “It was quite a moment for me as a field hockey coach, to say the least.”

Also during that 13-game stretch, the Panthers bested Pembroke (2-1), posted a pair of ties against Norwell (1-1 and 0-0), tied Hanover (0-0) and beat Duxbury (3-2).

“I felt that when the season progressed, we were finding better ways to get the ball from our defenders to our front seven,” said Humphrey. “Transitioning the ball will always be a work in progress. I don’t think you can spend enough time evaluating how your team moves the ball up the field.”

An improved transition game was just a part of the Panthers’ newfound success on offense.

“Brooke Nisby (junior forward) was relentless whenever she was on the field,” said Humphrey, whose team raised its goal total from 14 last autumn to 21 this season. “We did a better job distributing the ball off of free hits, especially in our own zone. We came up with a penalty corner strategy that helped us score three goals in [the] last three games. Olivia Phelps (sophomore forward) and Lauren Dunn (sophomore forward) started doing better at controlling the ball and becoming threats to score.”

Sophomore midfielder Mary Kate Ryan was selected as the Panthers’ league all-star.

“Mary Kate hustles to get in position to make plays both offensively and defensively,” Humphrey said. “She controls the ball extremely well, especially when carrying the ball through traffic. She is a great passer and a great play maker.”

Junior captain and forward Lauren Clark (goal, nine assists), senior captain and forward Maddy Tassey (four goal, three assists) and senior forward Robin Goyette (two goals, three assists) also contributed heavily on offense.

Down the other end, senior captain Victoria Ryan and junior defenders Noelle Cornetta and Skylar Leonard were rocks in front of junior goalie Madi Savicke, who posted a 2.06 goals against average.

“Her best performance may have been the tie against Hanover,” Humphrey said of Savicke. “She made some impressive saves in that game. The Pembroke and Duxbury wins really showed how strong she is under pressure. She is an essential component of Whitman-Hanson field hockey.”

Humphrey said he expects the program to make another leap forward next fall.

“With the amount of returning players in key positions, I would say that we would have a very good opportunity to make the tournament,” said the coach. “I can see Ashley Sawtelle (sophomore defender), who will be replacing Victoria Ryan at the left defensive position, working well with veteran defensive players Noelle Cornetta and Skylar Leonard.”

Season Review: Boys’ golf found its stroke

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The Panthers. / Photo by: Sue Moss

Sitting with a 3-11 record heading into the final match of the season — against perennial powerhouse Duxbury — head coach Brian Dempsey had a clear message for his Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ golf team.

“I simply told them to go out and have fun,” said the eighth-year head coach.

The match was senior night, to boot.

“Outside of them just trying to play smart and play for their pride, I asked each player to recognize the five seniors in the lineup and play for them,” Dempsey said.

And they did. Buoyed by a 3-over par 39 from junior Aidan Miller, the Panthers beat the Dragons for the third straight year, 268-270.

“I couldn’t have been more proud of the team for not only pulling off another upset win over Duxbury, but to do it after a really mentally draining season,” Dempsey said.

And a mentally draining season it was. W-H fell to Keenan Division champion Hingham by one stroke and narrowly fell to both Fisher Division co-champions, Hanover and Scituate, by three strokes and five strokes, respectively.

“I can’t really pinpoint exactly what kept us out of the win column more, but I think overall it was as simple as inconsistency,” Dempsey said. “Although we had a handful of golfers step up for us to lead the field in scoring throughout the season, it was rare that everyone had a performance like that on the same day.  The few times that we did, we came within one stroke of taking down Hingham, we beat Duxbury, and earned our other three victories.”

Senior captain Matt Korzec and Miller led the way this season. Korzec was the Panthers’ top golfer and Miller was close behind. Korzec was the team’s lone league all-star, and Miller’s season didn’t end until the Division 2 state golf finals.

“They were less than half a of a stroke within each other in average over par,” Dempsey said. “Needless to say, they were a special duo.”

Both heavily embodied the team strength: character.

“From the important leadership of the captains, to the snacks provided by the generous parents after each match, to the goofy team text messages, this team was filled with a lot of character,” said Dempsey, whose team also received contributions from senior captains Ian Brown and Brian Fox as well as sophomores Chris Ross and Pat McBroom. “This year’s team was definitely that: a team. We’ve had a few really good teams in the past, but this year, I feel like everyone really meshed well and complemented each other’s play and personality.”

Dempsey said he firmly believes the team is in a good place heading into the offseason, but does have a lot of areas to grow.

“We have a lot of talented golfers who, should they decided to commit themselves to the game and put the time in, could really turn some heads moving forward,” said the coach. “I’m looking forward to working with a lot of these guys again next and seeing where they are at, but I’m also excited to see what kind of new talent comes out for the team.”

“Either way, I feel as though we’re in good hands moving forward because of the culture that our leaders on the team this year, and years prior, have helped to establish.”

… And then there was one: Panther girls’ soccer team last remaining in tourney play

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Whitman-Hanson Regional High was well represented in postseason play, but the results have not been kind.

Football (2-6) was blown out by No. 3 Stoughton, 41-12, in the first round of the Div. 3 South tournament on Friday, Nov. 1. Senior captain C.J. Giuliani shoulder the load on offense for sixth-seeded W-H, carrying the ball 20 times for 133 yards and a score.

Boys’ soccer (10-8-1) entered the Div. 2 South tournament as the No. 11 seed, and bowed out to sixth-seeded Bishop Feehan, 2-1, Monday, Nov. 4. Feehan scored on a corner kick in the final minute to sink the Panthers. W-H battled back from a 1-0 deficit when junior Brendan Nehiley slipped one home off a feed from senior captain Jason Brodeur.

Girls’ soccer (16-1-2) blanked No. 14 Braintree, 4-0, in the first round of the Div. 1 South tournament. The third-seeded Panthers received goals from sophomores Olivia Borgen, Nora Manning, junior Alexis Billings and senior Riley Bina.

Girls’ volleyball (12-9) — seeded 10th —  traveled to seventh-seeded Durfee on Thursday, Oct. 31, and dropped a heart breaker, 3-2, in the first round of the Div. 1 South tournament. W-H took a three-point lead in the final set, but the Hilltoppers rallied for the 15-13 win. After dropping the first set, 25-10, W-H — buoyed by sophomore sensation Lily Welch — rallied to tie it at 1-1, before falling behind 2-1 and rallying again to tie it at 2-2.

Miller represents W-H boys’ golf in state finals

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Aidan Miller. / Courtesy photo

Whitman-Hanson Regional High junior Aidan Miller made it to the state golf finals.

For six of the past eight seasons, the Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ golf team has been represented in the Div. 2 state finals.

This year, it was Aidan Miller sporting the Panther red and black against some of the states best on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at Taconic Golf Club in Williamstown, Massachusetts.

The junior carded a 13-over par 81, which was tied for 51st in a field of 102 golfers.

Miller headlines the Panthers’ returnees next fall.

“Aidan had a great season,” said W-H head coach Brian Dempsey. “It was fun to interact with him and watch him consistently elevate his play throughout the year. Needless to say, we are thrilled to have him back next year.

“We are looking forward to seeing him lead the squad next season and hopefully have another impressive postseason run.”

Cheerleading wins 26th straight league title

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The cheer team. / Courtesy photo

On Saturday, Oct. 26, the Whitman-Hanson Regional High cheerleaders won their 26th straight Patriot League title, edging out Duxbury.

They did it again.

On Saturday, Oct. 26, the Whitman-Hanson Regional High cheerleaders won their 26th straight Patriot League title, edging out Duxbury.

“It feels great,” said W-H head coach Alyssa Hayes.

“Having a high standing within the league and the teams we see over and over all year is a very accomplishing feeling; everyone works so hard.”

However, Hayes said she doesn’t want the program’s reputation to overshadow what goes on behind the scenes.

“One of our mantras this season has been the idea that the legacy was built from the ground up and takes hard work, grit, determination, long hours, whatever is needed to uphold,” Hayes said. “It isn’t something that is deserved because you’re a Whitman-Hanson cheerleader; it is something that is earned through many hours of heart.”

The win came after placing second at the Braintree Invitational the week before.

“We had a long and hard week for sure,” Hayes said. “We changed our routine due to a couple of injuries, reworked stunts and sections of the routine based on scores from the first competition, and really just put our heads down and did the work that was needed to come out on top at the league championship.”

Hayes said the goal between now and regionals (Nov. 17) is to become secure in the skills that are in the routine and start perfecting them as best possible.

“Ideally, it is not a time for changes but instead a time to become as close to consistency and perfection as we can be,” she said.

The Panthers — who are captained by seniors Kaylee Diehl, Ryley Hurley and junior Savannah Poirier — are back on the mat this Sunday, Nov. 3 at home at 2 p.m., as they host the Panther Invitational.

“In cheerleading, and most sports, there’s that idea of “peaking” too early,” Hayes said. “Right now, the goal is to continue to improve all the way into [states] and never hit that moment of stagnancy.”

Billings boots girls’ soccer past Norwell, 2-1

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Junior Alexis Billings (No. 13) defends Kristi Vierra (No. 5). / Photo by: Sue Moss

Alexis Billings scored the winner to send the Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ soccer team past Norwell, 2-1.

Often what Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ soccer junior Alexis Billings does on the soccer field doesn’t show up on the stat sheet.

Well, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, it did.

With roughly 14 minutes remaining, she gathered the ball at the top of the penalty box and fired a shot into the left corner of the net, to send the Panthers past Norwell, 2-1.

“It felt so good,” Billings said. “I was so happy. I hugged all of my teammates as hard as I could.”

Billings was also tasked with marking Norwell’s top player, Wake Forest-bound senior Kristi Vierra, and Billings held her off the scoreboard.

“She’s not tallest player on the field,” W-H head coach David Floeck said of Billings. “But she plays a lot taller than she is. She does a lot of dirty work as well. It was nice to see her rewarded.”

“[Vierra] is amazing,” Billings said. “I play club soccer with her so I know how she is. She’s definitely a threat on the field.”

The Clippers struck first, getting on the board about 15 minutes in.

The Panthers responded before the half, when sophomore Nora Manning took a cross from classmate Olivia Borgen and sent it in the back of the net, tying it at 1-1.

“We’re resilient,” Floeck said. “We don’t like to fall behind but the team has shown a propensity to come back.”

The Panthers now await their opponent in the playoffs.

“Norwell’s a good team,” Floeck said. “They’re getting ready for the tournament and so are we. We’re both getting ready before the tournament starts.”

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.”