The Everett High volleyball team turned in a come from behind effort to defeat GBL rival Malden last week, 3-1. After dropping the first set 25-21, the Lady Crimson Tide roared back to claim the next three sets to chalk up the victory.
“It was a very exciting match,” said EHS head coach Mike Fineran. “After we had lost the first set (by a 25-21 margin), we started to play much better together as a team.
“We also really picked up our level of intensity and as the match wore on, we played as if we would accept nothing less than victory,” added the coach.
Five missed serves, giving Medford five free points, proved the downfall for the Lady Crimson Tide in the first set, though Bersa Shkreta delivered three aces and capt. Taciane Santos served two aces. Both Wellen Maforte and sister Sue Ellen also struck for some kills.
However, the second set saw the Lady Crimson Tide resolve their service issues and swing the momentum their way. Everett was trailing 19-16 when senior captain Jutta Bolivar took over at serve and junior captain Amanda DeSouza stepped up to deliver three kills, allowing the Crimson Tide to rally to take the set, 25-21. Kristi Keats also shone in the set with two key kills.
The teams continued their nip and tuck battle in the third set, but in the end, Everett proved displayed superior mental toughness and prevailed by a slim 25-23 score. Wellen Maforte keyed a crucial stretch when, with her team ahead 18-15, she served for four points to give the Lady Crimson Tide a comfortable 22-15 advantage that proved too much for Malden to overcome. DeSouza was a force in that set, accounting for five kills and two service aces.
The fourth set saw Everett take full control as Malden finally raised the white flag. DeSouza once again was a powerhouse with three kills, a block, and four aces, while Santos delivered three kills.
“It was a nice win for us,” noted Fineran.
The Lady Crimson Tide took on perennial GBL power Cambridge Monday and came out on the short end of a 3-0 decision. Everett was shorthanded for the match with four girls out because of illness. However, two seniors, Raquel DeSouza and Elena Divic, both stepped up to deliver some quality minutes for the Lady Crimson Tide.
“Elena played a really strong overall game for us with her passing and hitting,” noted Fineran, “while Raquel earned five service points of which two were aces. I was very impressed with how both of them played.”
Shkreta also turned in a strong effort in the service department, at one point starting off the second set with five points and three aces that gave Everett a short lived 5-0 lead in a set in which Cambridge eked ut a 25-22 win.
Fineran and his crew have a big match on tap at Somerville today (Wednesday). A victory will give Everett undisputed possession of second place in the GBL. The girls then travel to Bishop Fenwick tomorrow.