Another year, another new opponent for the Frontier Regional girls volleyball team in the state Division 3 tournament.
The Red Hawks (13-8) will take on Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School (AMSA) in the state semifinals at 4 p.m., Wednesday at Tantasqua Regional in Fiskdale.
“I feel we’re about as good as we can be right now,” Frontier coach Sean MacDonald said. “We’re healthy. There’s nothing holding us back. We don’t know a lot about them. You can have all the information you want but you have to play. It’s not the best team that wins, it’s the team that plays best who wins.”
The Red Hawks are playing in their 15th straight state tournament.
Last season, the Red Hawks fell to Bourne in the semifinals. In 2017, Frontier raised its ninth state banner following a 3-1 win over Bourne.
The Eagles (22-1), on the other hand, have never been to the state tournament. The school opened in 2005.
MacDonald feels experience will play a role, but also understands his team is young and doesn’t have many players who have match experience at the state level.
“That was us in 2005, not having been there in a long, long time,” MacDonald said. “If you have the team to do it, you can do it. It’s nice we have some experience but we have a lot of kids playing in their first big games. There’s a big difference between being on the bench for these games and being in those games. It’s different. If it’s game point and they’re serving at you, you can’t simulate that pressure.”
AMSA has been a tough out in the Colonial League the last few years. The program hasn’t lost a league match since the start of the 2017 season.
The Eagles went 19-1 during the regular season this year, surrendering just seven sets along the way.
The Red Hawks watched film to try to get an understanding of their opponent.
“They have a pretty good team,” senior outside hitter Jalen Sullivan said. “I like not knowing. It’s a surprise and you can just adjust. It’s less pressure. We haven’t seen them but they haven’t seen us. I don’t think it’s going to be 3-0. They’re going to put up a really good fight. We’re really going to have to work hard.”
Frontier will need to find a way to slow down outside hitter Olivia Deckers.
Deckers, who posted a career-high 24 kills in the Eagles’ 3-1 win over Whitinsville Christian in the Central Mass. finals, has been a force all season.
Diana Bibinski and Melissa Bibinski are also weapons for AMSA, while setter Nina Gavin is a great chess piece to work with, as she transitions to a hitter in the front row.
“They’re having a good year,” MacDonald said. “We didn’t play them but we were in the same tournament as them (earlier this season). They have some really nice pieces and the coach seems to know what he’s doing. He’s putting them in a position to succeed.”
The Red Hawks are hitting their stride at the right time.
Olivia Deane has been a weapon on the outside along with Sullivan, and the two are leading the Hawks in kills and aces. Other young players have contributed during Frontier’s postseason run.
“We’re really close right now,” MacDonald said. “I’m proud of the way they’ve worked, I’m proud of what they’ve done. We lost a lot (from last year). We only have two seniors so we’re on the young side. We’re trying to set the foundation this year but we still want to win right now.”
Frontier is confident heading into the state tourney.
“It’s such a great feeling to make it there,” Sullivan said. “Once you’re there and on the court, it’s a lot easier and less stressful. We’re feeling awesome. Winning Western Mass. is the best feeling in the world. Not just knowing you’re the best in the west, but winning that game with everyone running out screaming … it’s the best feeling.”
The other state semifinal features Ipswich and Rockland. The state final is set for Saturday at a place and time still to be determined.