Last Thursday, the Milford Scarlet-Hawks picked up an inspiring opening‐round playoff win over Chelmsford, despite entering as the No. 22 seed against the No. 11 team. From the first volley, Milford’s serving put Chelmsford on its heels, and their blocking and defensive coverage consistently turned swings into scoring opportunities. The Scarlet-Hawks combined timely digs and precise attacks to pull away midway through the match, never allowing Chelmsford to gain sustained momentum. Milford’s balanced lineup, featuring contributions from both hitters and back-row defenders, played perhaps the team’s best match of the season, controlling rallies and minimizing unforced errors against a tough opponent. Meanwhile, Taunton earned its own upset in the round of 16 by knocking off a No. 6-seeded Nipmuc squad, riding strong serving and a cohesive defensive effort. That victory illustrates how unpredictable single‐elimination volleyball can be; now Taunton arrives at Milford with confidence and momentum. Thanks to the two upsets, Milford (13–10) earned a home date with Taunton today at 6 PM. Playing in front of a supportive hometown crowd could be a huge factor for the Scarlet-Hawks, who will need to maintain their serving pressure, crisp rotations, and defensive intensity to contain a Taunton Tigers team that has been rolling. High‐energy play and smart ball control will be critical if Milford hopes to extend its unlikely postseason run.
