New Bedford nets top honor

By Liz Torres, Globe Correspondent | November 22, 2009

NORTHBORO - In a match between undefeated teams - with the MIAA Division 1 state title on the line - it could be expected that the defense would be the key and that the scores would be close.

New Bedford had just a little bit more last night at Algonquin Regional, beating Central Catholic, 3-1, with the three victories each coming by 2 points.

“It all starts on defense. You’ve heard the old saying, ‘Defense wins championships,’ ’’ said Whalers coach Neil Macedo after his team won its first title since 1994.

New Bedford (23-0) prevailed, 25-23, 17-25, 27-25, and 26-24.

The match featured a net duel between New Bedford’s Maura Manley (6 feet) and Central Catholic’s Katie Zenevitch (6-3).

In the fourth game, the Raiders stole the lead but the Whalers, paced by junior Cheyenne Howard (12 kills) and junior Kristina Thompson (17 digs), wouldn’t go away. Manley penetrated the Raiders’ double blockers for a 24-23 lead. After Central Catholic tied, Howard’s powerful spike provided a 25-24 lead. Moments later, the Whalers were champions.

After losing the first game, the Raiders (22-1) stole the spotlight in the second game, taking a 10-point lead before tying the match.

The Raiders had control of the third game until the Whalers came back to tie it at 17. A point-for-point battle followed until Howard wrapped up the game with a kill.

Division 2 - With the Division 2 state championship in sight, Medfield didn’t deviate from its staple all season long: perfection.

The Warriors won their second straight title, beating South representative Bourne, 3-0. The win wrapped up a stellar 25-0 season.

“I’m glad it’s over, because this has been a long, long way,’’ said 20-year coach Jack Hastings. “I turned 59 yesterday, and I feel about 80.’’

Medfield won, 25-23, 25-16, and 25-14, capturing its third title in four years.

“This one’s definitely the best,’’ said senior cocaptain Morganne Gagne, who has been on the team for all three title runs.

Gagne led her team with 14 kills, fellow cocaptain and three-time champion Jessica McLeod fed her teammates 39 assists, and Kathleen Krah chipped in 10 kills and three aces.

If it is possible for a 25-0 team to get hot at the right time, Medfield did. The champions never lost a game in the playoffs. However, the Warriors did have to sweat it out in yesterday’s first game. Fueled by Hannah Gasper and Taylor Slesinski, Bourne jumped to a 17-13 lead. Medfield scored the next 5 points, tying the game at 22 on an ace by Krah before sealing the win.

Medfield held a comfortable 9-point lead halfway through the second game, its eventual winning margin. Bourne (18-2) registered the first point of Game 3, but that was the last lead it would have in its own successful season.

Division 3 - Facing a 20-13 deficit in the second game, Case was in danger of allowing Notre Dame of Tyngsboro back into the match.

Instead, the Cardinals reeled off a 12-2 run, taking the game, 25-22, to secure a commanding 2-0 lead, before going on to win the state title with a 3-0 sweep of the Lancers.

“I was really pleased with what the girls did today,” said 10th-year Case coach Denise Levesque. “We had no expectations coming into the season and I was really pleased with how they jelled. We’re a comeback team, so coming back like that is nothing new for us.”

Case was led by sophomore middle hitter Shannon Orton (five blocks, seven kills). She said that the team’s preparation for Notre Dame’s height paid off.

“We tried to work on going around the big girls,” she said. “I’m tall, but not that tall, and I have to use my skills to get around them. My goal was to get the team back in, and we came back really well [in the second game].”

The Cardinals (22-2) cruised in the first game, using a 9-3 run to take a 14-6 lead and put Notre Dame on the defensive. Case scored 6 straight points to end the first match, 25-10.

Globe correspondents John Raymond and Mike Carraggi contributed to this report.