By Jeremy Caspe
Wednesday, April 14th, the Lady Whalers volleyball team had a fabulous win over Sturgis East in their first game in the Cape & Islands Lighthouse League, their end of season tournament. For winning their eighth out of ten games, the Lady Whalers were given the number two seed in the playoffs and played the number one seed Sturgis West on Saturday, the 17th of April at the Hyannis Youth & Community center. On their match on the 14th, the Lady Whalers finished with a score of 3-2 after five very close sets. Sophomore Kacey Riseborough had a team-high nine kills and freshman Chloe Marrero was right behind Riseborough with seven kills.
Senior Captain Sarah Anderen was also named the best volleyball player in the entire cape and island’s league, a huge accomplishment for the talented player, and one she doubtless deserves. She has led the team well this year, and continues to provide quality play and leadership.
In the league game against Sturgis West on the 17th, Nantucket came out on top with a score of 3-1, and was awarded the Cape & Island League Lighthouse Division Champions title. The Whalers sought revenge after their previous 3-1 loss to Sturgis West, and after hanging on during the championships, they were able to pull out a win.
Head Coach Andrew Viselli expressed that “the team’s game is exactly where it should be at this point in the season, and the development of their volleyball IQ has been the biggest development. They have played so much in the last few days and with having seen so much ball, they now have an understanding of what each of the rules in the relationship in the team on the court is.”
Leading up to the match the Whalers had to put in their share of work. Nantucket finished their season with a record of 10-12. The Sturgis West Navigators are proficient in kills, total blocks, serving aces, digs, and assists, and they were seeded #1 in the division for it. Although Sturgis West has enhanced skills, especially in their receptions, Nantucket’s disadvantage of playing less games and against lower seeded teams did not stop them at all. The match remained a difficult battle, but with the work the girls have put in, they were unstoppable.
From going off an undefeated season last year, the Lady Whalers definitely have had to step up and fill very large shoes, and they have done a very good job fulfilling these goals after losing key players last year. With receiving fourth rank in the Cape & Island league in total (different from the Lighthouse division), and now playing the number one seed in the league this year and going on to win the division title, they definitely have improved to get that number one spot back. Head Coach Andrew Visell mentioned that the girls are very determined, committed and have an unmatched work ethic that will last a very long time in Whaler Volleyball.
Veritas 
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