September marks the beginning of hurricane season, and girls volleyball teams throughout western Mass. would be wise to take all necessary precautions preparing for this year’s crew from Amherst Regional.
Led by first-year head coach Kody Crawford, the ‘Canes bring back a quartet of difference-makers in Ava Carey, Rowan Albertson, Kiko Bhowmik (all seniors) and sophomore Rosalie Davis to the court this season. Crawford feels his team’s camaraderie and familiarity with each other will be a strength all year long.
“A lot of them have been playing together for quite a long time,” Crawford said. “When you have that strong group of seniors that can lead the team, it’s awesome.”
Amherst’s Class of 2026 is composed of five athletes in Alyciana Hackett and Aliyah Kenney, to go along with Carey, Albertson and Bhowmik.
These Hurricanes are battled-tested as well as they’ve appeared in the Western Mass. Class A final in two out of the past three seasons, winning in 2022. Last year, Agawam upset Amherst during the quarterfinal round, 3-1.
In their first match against Frontier Regional last week, the ‘Canes looked to be in mid-season form, downing the Redhawks in straight sets, 3-0. During the 2024 season, Amherst lost both matches to Frontier.
Crawford provided some insight into the Hurricanes’ simplistic, yet effective mindset during the heat of a match.
“I really stress with the girls, it doesn’t matter how far up you are or how far down you are, every single point, you’re pushing and giving that opponent all the respect they deserve for every point, regardless of the score on the board,” Crawford said.
As part of this summer’s realignment within the Pioneer Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference, Amherst finds itself in the Northern Division where several of the other best teams in western Mass. reside. Longmeadow, Baystate Academy and Minnechaug will surely challenge for first place, but you can’t forget about Agawam, Westfield and Frontier, either.
While the Hurricanes passed with flying colors in their first test of the regular season, the path to glory is as difficult as it’s ever been. Amherst went 12-8 last year and earned a spot in the MIAA Division 3 state tournament, so, if it proves to get stronger as the season progresses, don’t be surprised to see opposing teams taking cover this fall when the ‘Canes roll through town.
“Amherst did a great job [last week],” Frontier head coach Courtney Parent said. “They’re definitely going to be a team that’s top in our league.”
Around Hampshire County
South Hadley will have no seniors on its varsity squad this season, therefore its seven juniors will be counted on heavily by new head coach Brooke Conner.
Aimee George is one of the Tigers’ 11th-graders and will likely be their go-to outside hitter this season.
A 15-5 record and a berth into the MIAA Div. 4 state tournament in 2024 will be difficult to replicate this season after South Hadley lost Ella Schaeffer and Raquel Losty to graduation this past spring.
The Tigers will compete in the Southern Division this year alongside Commerce, Holyoke, Chicopee, Chicopee Comp, Springfield International Charter and Pioneer Valley Christian Academy.
Possibly no team in the area was impacted by graduation more than Frontier. The Redhawks lost 10 seniors from last year’s group that finished 16-7 and advanced all the way to the Elite Eight of the MIAA Div. 4 state tournament.
Five seniors return, including Greta Hale, Caitlin Maio and Cadence Martin, but head coach Courtney Parent is essentially starting from scratch in terms of Redhawks with experience starting matches.
“It’s tough to graduate 10 [seniors] and come back, with almost a whole new starting lineup,” Parent said following Frontier’s shutout loss to Amherst last week. “We’ve got a lot to work on.”
Look for freshmen Aimee Talbott and Raine Wonsey to get consistent minutes on the court for the Redhawks too.
Smith Vocational returns quite a bit of talent from its 2024 team that concluded with a 13-6 record and a spot in the MIAA Div. 5 state tournament.
Leah Franklin, Heidymar Diaz Lopez and Roma Bentrewicz, among others, all came back and will look to lead the Vikings into unchartered territory within the Eastern Division. Smith Voc will square off with Renaissance, Sci-Tech, Southwick, Ware and Pope Francis twice each in league play. The Vikings only played two of those opponents (Renaissance, Southwick) in 2024.
Ashley Clark is back at the helm for Smith Voc and will have her starting outside hitter in Irelyn Marcoux and starting defensive specialist/libero back in Hecmarie Diaz Lopez to go along with the trio if returns already listed.
“We are looking forward to a new league and the challenge that comes with playing bigger schools,” Clark said.
Belchertown was a state tournament team last year after winning 11 matches during the regular season. While the Orioles graduated important players such as Vivian Ross and Gianna Picardi, Layla Liminski is easily their most important returner.
Liminski, a senior, bashed 168 kills a season ago and will be Belchertown’s No. 1 outside hitter in 2025.
Junior Kaiya Cavanaugh moved to the outside hitter spot as well and sophomore Cassidy MacLean will man the middle blocker position for second-year head coach Chris Shea’s Orioles group.
Belchertown got placed into the Central Division with West Springfield, Ludlow, East Longmeadow, Putnam, Central and Easthampton.
Easthampton went through a rebuilding year last fall as it compiled a 5-15 record, following the departure of seven seniors from the season prior. Although, multiple athletes gained valuable experience, including junior returners Camilla Corsello (middle hitter) and Summer Routhier (libero).
The Eagles are once again led by head coach Molly Jacobson (19th season), who is optimistic about her team this fall.
“A new league may give the Eagles a fresh start after a challenging 2024 season,” Jacobson said.
Granby have combined for two wins in the last two years and head coach Emil Herrera will look to break that streak this season.
The Rams’ top talent features all 11th-graders or younger in Sophia Rodrigues, Audrey Pleisch, Gina Auselle Casadevall and Cailin Kibbie.
Granby will compete against Monument Mountain, Hampden Charter, Duggan, Libertas Academy, Veritas Prep and Mt. Everett in the Metro Division.
Holyoke lost seven of its final nine matches last year to finish 8-10 and outside of the playoff picture.
Head coach Paula Conway is in charge of the Purple Knights, whose entire 12-athlete roster is made up of upperclassmen.