The Hopedale Blue Raiders continued their strong volleyball campaign with an efficient 3-0 sweep of Milford last Friday, marking their third straight victory and improving their record to 11-4. Phoebe Carroll led the way with a game-high 17 kills while Hopedale closed out the sets 25-22, 25-14, and 25-23. Two of the sets were competitive, and Hopedale’s ability to make the critical plays late in each set demonstrated their closing composure and match management.
Hopedale’s offense has combined power and placement; their ability to mix quick attacks and middle slides has kept opposing defenses off balance. Meanwhile, the Blue Raiders’ service pressure and first-contact consistency have allowed the offense to run clean sets with fewer scrambles. This blend of technical skill and situational awareness explains their high ranking and why they entered the week listed No. 1 in D5 power rankings.
Looking forward, Hopedale will face Medway tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. Medway’s inconsistency gives Hopedale an opportunity to add to their streak, but the Blue Raiders won’t take that for granted. Coaches will likely sharpen blocking assignments and hitting angles to keep opponents from exploiting matchup advantages.
All told, Hopedale’s combination of offensive firepower, timely serving, and disciplined defense makes them a legitimate title contender this season. Their recent three-game streak is about more than results; it’s evidence of a team that knows how to close sets and sustain pressure across entire matches.
