By Jack Hooker
Junior captain Jonathan Lee and junior Joe Esbenshade combined for 24 kills in the “best comeback in Lions’ volleyball history,” as head coach Todd Elwell described the 3-2 win over Needham Wednesday night.
“We played well as a team and improved as the game went on,” junior Zach Kaufman said, who recorded 22 digs.
Needham took an early 2-0 lead, winning the first set 25-22 and the second set 25-23. The Lions made nine errors in the first two sets, in addition to hitting below .100.
“Everyone was thinking that we just need to take it one set at a time,” Kaufman said. “We had just picked up momentum at the end of the second, so we knew that the game was still within reach.”
The Lions came back to win the third set 25-20, with 15 kills, and the fourth set 25-21. Lee recorded the final kill as the Lions
finished Needham off with a 15-12 victory in the fifth set.
“It felt great, especially since Needham is a great team,” Kaufman said. “It gave the team more confidence than we’ve had all year.”
Senior Phil Levine-Caleb had 11 kills on the night and junior captain Jared Chin had 39 assists.
The Lions will face north divisional champion Acton-Boxborough in the state semifinals next Tuesday in Hudson at 7 p.m.
“We are feeling pretty good going into the game, but AB is a very good team,” Kaufman said.
Central champ Xaverian will face west winner Agawam in the other semifinal. The championship game is scheduled for Friday, June 13, in Hudson.
