The Hopedale Blue Raiders advanced in the volleyball playoffs after dispatching Springfield Renaissance in a four-set quarterfinal. Hopedale had earlier posted straight-set wins over Brighton and Saint John Paul II in rounds one and two, and the Blue Raiders showed their top-seed pedigree by taking the opener and second sets 25-16 apiece, dropping set three 18-25 and closing out the fourth 25-16.
Phoebe Carroll led the attack with a massive 21 kills, Mia Casey added 11 kills, and Olivia Barroso ran the offense with 39 assists on the night. The team’s 45 kills and contributions across the lineup highlighted a balanced, efficient attack that carried Hopedale into the semifinals.
Up next for the Blue Raiders is a matchup with No. 4 Lenox Memorial tomorrow night at 7:15 at West Springfield High. Lenox has been dominant in its own right, advancing 3-0 through the first three rounds, and should present one of Hopedale’s toughest tests of the postseason. The semifinal will be a measuring stick for Hopedale’s championship hopes as the squad seeks to translate top-seed status into a trip to the final.
