NORTHAMPTON – Senior night couldn’t have gone more smoothly for the Smith Vocational girls volleyball team.
The Vikings started in a tricky spot – only three of their six starters were on the court due to injuries or illness. But as they have all season, the team’s bench stepped up in a major way against Renaissance, earning a three-set victory (25-10, 25-13, 25-16) over the Phoenix on Wednesday.
It was a perfect gift for the team’s three seniors playing in one of the final home matches of their careers.
“It’s the best thing you could possibly ask for,” Smith Voc team captain Kora Kelly. “Your family’s all there, your friends are all there, your team’s there and then you get the win and it’s just like a cherry on top.”
Kelly and fellow senior Jaycee Beaulieu had a night to remember for the Vikings, leading the team in most statistical categories. Kelly hit double-digits in kills with 10, and Beaulieu had a team-high four aces, many of those during a six-point run in the second set where she dominated at the service line. Beaulieu also picked up 18 assists and three blocks in the win.
Heidymar Diaz-Lopez also stepped up for the Vikings, throwing up 14 assists, two aces and four kills, while Annalise Kaczenski and Josie Dubay co-led the team with three digs each.
Though Kelly and Beaulieu shined on the court, the team made sure to honor them for all their responsibilities off of it, too. Kelly, Beaulieu and fellow senior Jacora Camp (who was out with an injury) were given bouquets and speeches from their teammates and coach postgame, thanking them for the time they’ve given to the program.
“Whenever it comes to senior nights, they’re the biggest night for me, too,” Smith Voc head coach Nelson Lacey said. “I really want to make sure that these kids know how much they mean to us and our program. I know how important it is to them… it’s never easy saying goodbye.”
Coming into this season, Lacey said he wasn’t sure what the team would look like. The Vikings graduated eight of their 11 starters last year, and had just one varsity starter – Beaulieu – return this season. He knew the team had potential, but with all the young and inexperienced players, he wasn’t sure where his team stood.
“Overall, we’re a really young team. When you’re trying to set goals and build the program, that’s something you need to look at. Last year was the first year we had ever qualified for Western Mass. and the first year we’ve ever qualified for states. Obviously it’s always a goal, but at the start of the year I was worried, I didn’t know if that was really something I was going to push hard with the team,” Lacey said. “We came out day one and these seniors stepped up immensely. They really grew, we had a little bit of young talent… After graduating our captains and so many leaders last year, it was like we didn’t skip a beat.”
The Vikings won four of their opening five matches, and currently have a 7-5 record. In the most recent MIAA Division 5 power rankings, they were ranked No. 50, but will earn a playoff spot if they finish the season with a better than .500 record.
Though they’re continuing to battle injuries and illness at the halfway point of the season, it’s a very achievable goal for the Vikings. The 2022 volleyball season may end up being more of a momentum builder than a rebuilding year for Smith Voc.
“I’m really proud of where the team is. They’re in a position to potentially qualify,” Lacey said. “Being as young as they are, I think that’s no small accomplishment, especially for a young program and a young team.”