By Andrew Gundal
Sports Reporter
On Wednesday night, the Newton South boys’ volleyball team played their last home game of the season as they dismantled DCL foe, Boston Latin, winning three sets to zero, earning coach Todd Elwell his 300th win in his career.
The game started off back and forth; the Wolfpack was showing great resilience to the Lions’ strong attack. Junior Evan Zeng was solid defensively by falling to the floor with an outstretched arm to save a point for the Lions.
Towards the end of the set, the Lions started to pull away as they finished off the set with a score of 25 to 17.
During the second set, it was all Newton South. They had doubled Boston Latin’s lead halfway through the set. Senior Eli Braginsky had multiple emphatic kills in the set, and junior Timmy Hwang added multiple aces. The set ended with a resounding Newton South win, 25 to 10.
The Lions took their foot off the gas in the third set, but were still able to finish the game, winning by four points. The Lions and the Wolfpack stayed close throughout the set, until South started to pull away at the end, winning 25 to 21.
After being out with an ankle sprain most of the season, senior Harry Xu found his groove and led the team with 15 kills. Junior captain Noah Kopf added another four. Timmy Hwang led the team with three aces as the Lions were in complete control throughout the game.
The boys had a lot to play for as Elwell was on the verge of his 300th career win and it was seniors’, Harry Xu, and Eli Braginsky’s last home game. The boys needed to get one more win for their coach, and they did just that.
“It’s tough, in regards to looking at yourself as a coach and looking at the whole timespan that you’re coaching. You’re really in it from season to season, year to year; for the kids and for the love of the sport,” Elwell said.
Elwell was feeling nostalgic after the win, yet remained humble as he prepares for the playoffs.
“We have been fortunate here at [Newton] South to just attract some amazing kids and some amazing coaches. And everything kind of comes together in this perfect storm,” Elwell said.
Elwell was not the only one appreciative of this win. On senior night, Eli Braginsky was forced to look back upon his volleyball career.
“It means a lot, just because I’ve been playing volleyball for four years and three club seasons, so it’s just been a long journey. It’s incredible to see how far I’ve come, how far the team has come, how far Harry, the other senior has come, and coach even,” Braginsky said.
The Lions are in good position for the rest of the regular season and going into the playoffs. Even after losing ten strong seniors from last year, the Lions still have their eyes on the big prize of the state championship. There is lots of talent on this young team, and a lot of optimism going into the playoffs.
