The Bellingham Blackhawks began their postseason with a solid opening‐round victory over Doherty Memorial, improving to 16-5 on the season. Bellingham leaned on depth and cohesive teamwork to win crucial exchanges throughout the match. Their serving disrupted Doherty’s offense early, while disciplined blocking and floor defense allowed Bellingham to convert off free balls and maintain a lead. Consistent communication in transition and reliable passing helped the Blackhawks handle Doherty’s attack and close out the contest without letting the opponent regain momentum. Now, Bellingham faces its toughest challenge of the year: a road trip to take on top‐seeded Agawam (19–1) today at 4:30 PM. Agawam enters the quarterfinals after handling Springfield Int’l Charter School decisively in their opener and finished the regular season with one of the program’s best records ever. A powerful frontline, quick defensive rotations, and experience in high‐pressure matches make Agawam a formidable opponent. Bellingham must bring aggressive serving and clean serve‐receive to disrupt Agawam’s rhythm. Their back‐row defenders will need to dig consistently, and hitters must capitalize on every opportunity to score. If the Blackhawks can maintain composure under the Friday‐afternoon gym lights and force extended rallies, they have a chance to keep the match close and challenge the Brownies’ depth.
