Francesa Reardon is a versatile threat for Shawsheen girls volleyball’s undefeated team

Shawsheen Tech’s junior usually plays on the opposite end, but started on the outside against Arlington Catholic on Sept. 20. However, that day he asked the coach. Katie McGinness will move to the middle.

“He hadn’t really practiced,” McGinness said. “He got a huge block in the second set and you could see the momentum shift in the team. ‘Wait a second, we can compete.’ We lost the second set, but only by a few points.

“It was like there was a fire inside them and they won the next three.”

Making the opposite move, Reardon claimed it would be a game changer for the Rams.

After keeping Shawsheen out of the losing bracket and defeating Minuteman 3-0 on Thursday, 25-5, 25-17, 25-12, Billerica’s professional program went 20-0 for its first undefeated season in program history. He finished with a score of . .

The Rams have repeated as Commonwealth Conference champions, doubling their titles in the last two seasons after claiming the others in 1996 and 2007.

“I’m very, very proud of us this season,” Reardon said. “I know there’s a lot of doubt about us (with the star-setter graduating) Cade Barron), lit a fire under us that we had to prove something. A team is not just about one player; “We’re all working together in the field.”

Reardon’s versatility gives the team rotation flexibility. The versatile 6-foot-10-inch Reardon, who is also a setter, leads the team with three kills per set, has the most aces and is second in the rankings. blocks And he makes assists.”

It started when she started playing softball in fifth grade; practiced everywhere. “That put me in the mindset in volleyball,” she said, “I would be open and willing to play any position they needed me in.”

He played everywhere for the Rams on the diamond last spring, hitting .600 with three homers and 24 RBIs.

“He is one of the best athletes I have ever coached,” McGinness said. “You can put him in any position and he will be perfect. He will push himself, he will work on it no matter what. “He won’t let stepping outside his comfort zone hold him back.”

His versatility fits well with teammates like seniors on the outfield Fiona RexfordWHO can play anywhere on the internetand young setter Maura KruegerHe also added right wing shots to his repertoire this season.

Each of the right-handed hitters, Rexford and Reardon, tried to find angles while at the opposing pin.

Rexford, also 6-foot-4, finds synergy with Reardon when they are both in the back row.

“Even if one of us is having a bad day, we can still turn to each other, even if it’s just to make the other person laugh,” Rexford said. “Even if one of us is killed, this will bring friendship back to the agenda. “It’s great that we’re on the field at the same time because both options are open.”

McGinness led the team practicing with two setters and that opened up the possibilities. Krueger helped Reardon set up, and Reardon returned the favor as Krueger batted down the right.

The ability of both to swing on the second touch from the passer position adds a dynamic element to the offense.

“He brings a lot to the team,” Krueger said of Reardon. “He’s a leader off the field and a captain on the field most of the time. “He’s really good at communicating with me while I’m getting ready, and that helps other people communicate.”

In back row rotations, Reardon gives the team an attacking player from distance. Their rotation allows the young libero to rotate through the middle Izzy DiSalvo to remain in the left back position.

“We talk about who owns what, we talk about the stitches,” DiSalvo said. “We communicate really well. When one of us misses a pass, we talk about who gets what for the next pass.”

Reardon works in architectural drafting, so he draws floor plans both in and out of volleyball.

“I go to training before the games and he analyzes all the strikers,” McGinness said. “He realizes what he needs to do to help the team win. “That shows in his athletic ability, but his IQ in the game is also very important.”

Set points

Just because one of its best hitters ruptured his ACL at the end of the season doesn’t mean Brookline’s championship hopes are in vain.

The Warriors won their 11th straight game on Tuesday. Four-set victory over two-time defending champion Newton NorthIt was their first win over the North in a decade and resulted in the Tigers’ only defeat of the season. That streak includes a five-yarder against Weston.

In the absence of the second grade Noga Naveh (ACL), young Bella Bacon another hitter fills the spot and classmate Maya Nock He fills Bacon’s libero position. Youth Emilie Ferdinand and second grader Molly Tipton leading a still-loaded group of hitters.

“What we always talk about as a team is facing challenges,” the coach said. Caitlin Sobolewski in question. “We went out that night (when Naveh was injured) and beat Newton South. (Tuesday-North) every set was within three points. “They are really good in terms of their mental toughness.”

Two factors have remained constant since East Bridgewater went from being a club team to becoming a regular in the Division 4 tournament and becoming the first-ever South Shore Sullivan Division champions six years ago: coach Andrew MacDonald and actor Maddie Blette.

Blette, now a senior captain, joined the team in seventh grade and the team was formed. This year he switched from libero to setter.

Sophie Caultonsenior and last year’s senior captains when the team first started Amya Oliveira And Paige Pavidis He also played a key role in helping his teammates play for the club and help the program grow.

“When I first started, I never thought I would be in this situation or that our program would get to this point this quickly,” MacDonald said. “It’s great to sit back and watch how quickly our girls are progressing. They love being in the gym and competing; “He’s a lot of fun to be around as a coach.”

Old Rochester’s Aubrie Letourneau While he finished his regular senior season with 2,276 assists, he needs to make 13 assists in the postseason. Reach #2 all-time in the state.

The deadline for MIAA regular season games is Friday. Tournament pairings will be announced on Tuesday.

Friday’s must-watch matches

Chelmsford at Boston Latin, 4:30 p.m. — For the visiting Lions (No. 17 in the League 1 power rankings) and the Wolfpack (No. 13), this game could be crucial for any team looking to host a first-round tournament match.

No. 13 Newton South, No. 16 Acton-Boxborough, 17:30 — Every team has had an up-and-down season, but the Revolution have had a more consistent record since being swept in the South earlier in the season.

Medfield No. 5 at Weston, 5:30 p.m. — The last three regular season matches between the two 2023 Division 3 finalists have ended in five sets.

Westborough, No. 2 Attleboro, 5:30 p.m. — The Bombardiers are looking to have a perfect regular season, but they finish with the defending Division 2 champions, whose only loss was to Newton North.

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AJ Traub can be reached at [email protected].