Volleyball Qualifies for State Tourney with Holliston Victory

The following updates span the team's battles from Sept. 30 through Oct. 14 and were provided by head coach Kevin Whitaker. 

The Westwood Wolverines girls varsity volleyball team qualified for the state tournament with a 3-2 win over Holliston on Friday.  

The win puts the team at 10-4 for the season with six games remaining. It marks the first time in at least 15 years since the team has made the tournament, according to head coach Kevin Whitaker. 

"We're playing well as a team and our defensive coverages are beginnning to come together nicely," Whitaker told Westwood Patch. "Our play callers, Salemis and Monica Norris are spreading the offense well and we are seeing good point production from our three front-row attackers."

Season leaders as of Saturday, Oct. 15 include senior captain Carol Han (serving), senior Jing Li (aces), senior captain Bele Wariboko (team leader in kills and blocks) and senior Chrissa Salemis (assists). 

Below is a roundup of how the team has fared during the last five games:

Oct. 14 vs. Hollistonl; win, 3-2: Senior co-captain Emileigh Rau led the team on offense with 12 kills, while Wariboko delivered nine kills and Katie Blue recorded eight kills. 

Oct. 12 vs. Bellingham; win, 3-2: Li served six aces and added five kills. Han contributed a match-high of nine kills. 

Oct. 11 vs. Dedham; win, 3-2: Li delivered five aces while serving at 93 percent; Wariboko led the offensive with 12 kills and Han adding seven kills. 

Oct. 3 vs. Needham; win, 3-1: Han pulled in eight kills while Salemis served three aces and led the team with assists. 

Sept. 30 vs. Dedham; win, 3-1: Bele Wariboko served at 94 percent and adde five aces and eight kills, according to Whitaker. The team served though with Chrissa Salemis delivering six aces, while Jing Li registered four aces. Carol Han had seven kills and sophomore Katie Bell provided a strong block and pulled in six kills. 

Whitaker went on to compliment the team for their efforts this season so far, and noted the players' decision to set clear team goals from the outset of the season. 

"I'm proud of our student athletes who have been leaders both on and off the court," Whitaker said. "They are a smart, focused group, committed to learning th game while executing as a team. Since day one, they have worked diligently at improving their individual skills and applying a team-focused game strategy."

He added, "With 30 percent of our regular season still remaining, having secured a state tournament spot is a significant achievement, and one that affords us some breathing room while we continue to focus on raising our level of play. More than anything, however, our team is working hard, having fun and enjoying playing some exciting volleyball."

The team hits the road for a battle against Millis Monday at 6:30 p.m.