Block a volleyball spike over the net in the stadium with your hand
LOWELL – Methuen boys volleyball senior James Levesque doesn't think there's been a day this year where the team's goal of winning the Merrimack Valley Conference title hasn't been realized, at least to some degree.
On Friday night, the Rangers finally took at least a share of it from the two-time defending champions for the first time since 1998.
In the battle to determine the leader of the MVC Large Race, No. 10 Methuen (15-2) showed high energy and dominant play at the net to secure a 3-0 (25-14) rematch with No. 9 Lowell. , 25) won. -21, 25-23).
Levesque led the offense with 17 kills, and Drew Eason had 13 kills, complementing a strong defensive performance from the entire team, avenging a five-set loss to the Red Raiders (15-3) earlier this year. I accomplished it.
The Rangers won last season for the first time since 2006. Monday's win over Lawrence clinched the highly touted conference title for good.
“Three years ago, I said this to (the seniors),” Methuen head coach Matt Toomey said. “'We're going to build this program around you. You're going to lick it as a sophomore, you might lick it as a junior, but we're going to come back and win everything your senior year.' 'And that's exactly what they did. … All of them came all the way off the bench today. It was amazing. “
Levesque said of winning the MVC title: It’s great to see that come to fruition.”
In the first set, Sean LaDuke (39 assists), Eason and Levesque each had five kills, and Methuen won 25-14 from the start. Lowell allowed just two consecutive points on target.
Eason, Lucas Geard (5 kills, 4 blocks), Andrew Cox (4 kills, 4 blocks) and Jack Flynn (2 kills, 4 blocks) led the defense at the net.
Cody Fitzpatrick (13 kills) and Cesar Joseph (11 kills, 3 blocks) started to heat up for Lowell in a much-improved second set, as did Walter Palacio (4 kills, 2 blocks). Ta. However, Levesque exploded with seven of her 10 kills in the frame for a 25-21 victory as the Red Raiders settled the Battle of the Rocks 16-16.
“Sometimes you get into a mode where you think you're unstoppable,” Levesque said. “Fortunately, (LaDuke) and (Toomey) were like, 'We're just going to feed you.' It worked out perfectly. They were reading blocks pretty well and making really good passes and We got a really good set.”
Lowell charged to start the third set. Tyrell Rout (28 assists) adjusted for a 7-5 lead, mostly finding Joseph. Methuen surged in response, but even at 10-10, Fitzpatrick had just three kills to secure the victory.
Both teams battled back and forth, with the Red Raiders building a 23-20 advantage and heading into the fourth set. However, a kill by Eason, two errors by Lowell, a block by Flynn, and a kill by Levesque won the match 25-23.
“Today we talked about trying not to let the ball fall on the floor without someone diving in,” Toomey said. “They played unbelievable. … I was very impressed with what our team put together today.”
“When we play with energy, we’re a better team overall,” Eason added. “I think we had a really great game plan defensively. Obviously, we were much better at blocking, passing today. … Everything just came out to play today.”
