Wahconah Front Line Dominant in Win Over Mohawk Trail
DALTON, Mass. – Sasha Fyfe dominated at the service line, and Wahconah’s front line controlled the net Tuesday as it took a three-set season-opener against Mohawk Trail.
Fyfe delivered 12 aces and delivered multiple-point runs on each of her serves as Wahconah notched a 25-13, 25-5, 26-24 victory.
After the hosts dominated the second set, Mohawk trail responded thanks largely to the play of Palmer King, who recorded a number of kills and service runs of four points and seven points in the third set.
Wahconah coach Dave Lussier was pleased to see his squad respond after King’s second turn at the service line brought his team from a 23-16 deficit to a 23-23 tie.
“I was very happy in the first two sets,” Lussier said. “And even in the third set, even though it got tight, I was really happy with how they were playing on the court, and they were hanging in there against a tough serve. He didn’t have it running in the first two sets, but we had to keep adjusting to it.
“It’s good to have those sets every once in a while to make sure we know how to grind and get it done.”
Wahconah set the tone early in the first set when Fyfe served her team to a 6-0 lead before giving up the ball. Hannah Friedman had a couple of kills during that run.
It was an eight-point margin when Fyfe’s turn to serve came around again at 16-8. She served five straight points to get Wahconah within striking distance of set point. That run included a pair of aces.
“Sasha had some long runs,” Lussier said. “She’s playing incredible defense. She’s probably one of the best liberos in Berkshire County.”
Mohawk Trail staved off a couple of set points at 24-11 before succumbing with a service error.
In the second set, Friedman gave Wahconah a big lift with a 10-point service run to get to 13-3 on a kill by McKenzie LaBier.
After Mohawk Trail earned a side out, a service error gave it right back to Wahconah and Fyfe, who served six straight points to make it 20-4.
Casey Wilson closed out the set with four straight points.
The third set was a back-and-forth affair right to the end.
Wahconah took a lead at 15-10, but the visitors bounced back with three straight points.
A couple of rotations later, Fyfe served six in a row to get Wahconah a 23-16 lead.
But King answered with seven straight points on serve, including a couple of aces, to tie the game.
LaBier recorded a block to end that run, and three serves later, Friedman’s ace ended the match.
Wahconah’s blockers were on all night, especially in the first couple of sets when they helped generate those early leads.
“I’m fortunate to have four middles this year who all have good height and all have good timing,” Lussier said. “It’s going to be a pleasure having that.”
Wahconah (1-0) goes to Pioneer Valley Regional on Thursday.
Video: Wahconah’s McKenzie LaBier uses the tip at the net to earn the point in Tuesday’s three-set win over Mohawk Trail.
Video: Breanna Robert puts away a point for Wahconah in Tuesday’s season-opening win over Mohawk Trail.
Video: Wahconah puts away match point in a three-set win over Mohawk Trail on opening day in Dalton on Tuesday.