With an overall record of 22-3, first place in the Dual County League, and a captivating road to the state finals, the L-S Girls Volleyball team had nothing short of a historic season.

After their final regular season win against Concord-Carlisle, the team headed into their first playoff match against Lexington. Before the game, senior setter Amaya Parnell shared her view on the team’s attitude going into their upcoming tournament: “Determined. We have a goal and a mission for this season. Our team is dynamic, and present together, and our determination builds off of each other.” The team’s grit was evident on the court, with L-S sweeping Lexington in three sets and securing their spot in the next round.

Next came Natick, an equally athletic team with an overall record of 8-5. Despite the pressure of possible elimination, L-S pulled out a victory in just three sets, with outstanding energy from its players and fans alike. JV and Freshman teammates showed their support in the stands, cultivating an electric crowd. Senior Nikki Gulko complimented the spirit of L-S Volleyball, “The program as a whole is super cohesive, and everyone from freshman, JV, and Varsity is cheering for each other on the sidelines and is supporting each other.” Senior Annie Adolfsson also testified to the cohesion of the LS Volleyball program. “The lifelong friends that you make on the team, that you know will support you and have your back, makes the L-S Volleyball program such a positive environment. Everyone thrives, and it is a real team effort.”

As the possibility of a state title loomed closer, the Warriors continued to fight. On November 10th, L-S faced Attleboro in the qualifier for the MIAA Final Four. Attleboro won the first set, but the game was far from over. With a fierce offense, relentless defensive efforts, and a “Next-Point” mentality, L-S claimed the following three sets and became one step closer to the championship game. This victory was especially impressive since a Girls Volleyball Final Four trophy hadn’t belonged to L-S for over a decade.

In the semi-finals, the team was up against Newton South. During the regular season, L-S won  15-13 against the Lions in five sets. Going into the match, the Warriors knew it wouldn’t be easy and were prepared to face adversity. After L-S took the first set, Newton South responded by taking the next two, winning 25-12 and 27-25. With the game on the line, the Warriors doubled down and won set four 25-21. By this point, the LS fan section had contagious energy, and the stands were fueled with the spirit of the match. Both teams were fiercely competitive entering their fifth set. Heading into their first timeout, LS was down 3-9. Fully prepared to do whatever it took, the Warriors worked their way back to a 12-12 tie before Newton South called a timeout. The gym was ecstatic as the two teams drove each other past fifteen points. At 16-16, sophomore Maddie Gulko served two back-to-back aces, finishing the emotional game with an LS victory of 18-16. The Warriors had successfully qualified for the state championship.

On November 19th, LS Girls Volleyball headed to Worcester State University to play against Newton North for the state title. With outstanding performances from both teams, Newton North ultimately won three sets to one. Although the Warriors lost this match, they made history by being the first-ever LS Girls Volleyball Team to win a set in an MIAA Girls Volleyball Championship.

Warriors Volleyball had a historic season because of their focused work ethic, team inclusivity, and ability to overcome adversity together. The culture of a team is always the driving force behind any success, and as Amaya Parnell shared, “The LS volleyball program is a special place. It’s somewhere where you get to be yourself, you can share new ideas, and get to know your team like family.” The Girl’s Volleyball team at LS is a gritty, talented, and cohesive group, and the 2022 season is just a taste of what the program is capable of.