The Athol High School boys’ volleyball team enters the 2016 season with lofty goals.
The Red Raiders – who opened their season Thursday at home with a three-set win against Leominster High School – went 15-3 last year, captured the PVIAC Eastern Division title and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Western Massachusetts Tournament.
In what will be her 20th and final season as head coach, Donna Lajoie will be leading a squad that is a mix between veterans and newcomers and plans to compete for another league title and deep tournament run.
“We’re coming off a good season last year, but we graduated some key players,” she said. “While some of players have been playing since middle school, this year’s team doesn’t go very deep.”
Lajoie points to a group of five players who she is looking to provide experience and leadership, those being seniors Tyler Lajoie, Carter Amadon, Lorenzo Carra and Nelson Leadbetter, along with sophomore Nick Casella.
“They were the only ones who saw a good amount of court time last year,” said Coach Lajoie.
Both Lajoie and Carra are entering their sixth season as setters, and Coach Lajoie feels that the two are more than ready to be prominent team leaders.
“They are both skilled and knowledgeable,” said Lajoie. “Lorenzo brings the strategic way of thinking. He always has a plan and sees the court well. Tyler wants to kill the ball and has been doing so quite nicely in practice. He is a fighter all the time and I need him to push his teammates to put a fire in their bellies sometimes.”
Amadon is also earning high praise from his coach.
“Carter has been hitting better than I’ve ever seen him. He is bringing the power and he seems more comfortable in the middle position. Last year he was reluctant to move there, but now he is seeing the benefit of the position and how it suits his abilities.”
Casella, Lajoie’s third setter, provides some stability for the Raiders.
“Nick is very steady out there when called upon. He doesn’t get riled up and he can adapt to play any position.”
Anchoring the back row at libero will be Leadbetter, who over the past few seasons has grown tremendously as a player, and earned a lot of respect throughout western Mass.
“Nelson is Mr. Libero. I believe he is the best in western Mass., and he attended a camp at Springfield College which has only helped him grow. His contribution in the back row will be essential to our success.”
Lajoie will also look for returning seniors Ryan Whelpley and Sergio Morales for contributions.
“Morales joined the team late in the season, so this is really his first season of volleyball as far as I’m concerned. Whelpley is very scrappy and I hope the four years under his belt will help him transition into a key position.”
Seven newcomers will round out the squad, and while it is always hard to evaluate players early in the process, Lajoie has seen reason for optimism. Two of the new faces are seniors Xavier Santana and Zach Roberts, who Lajoie is hopeful will both be contributors out of the gate.
“Xavier and Zach are first year seniors and new to the sport. They are learning the game and coming along nicely. I am hoping to use them in the front row.”
Juniors Avery Clyatt, Josh Herk, Dustin Aikey and Ryan Warner are the juniors new to the program.
“Avery is looking great,” Coach Lajoie said. “This is his first year but he is settling in nicely. He is very athletic and seems to be picking the game up quickly. I am hoping that if he continues to improve like I anticipate, he will be in the starting lineup soon as an outside hitter.
“Josh has some serious hitting power. If we can find a way to control it, he could end up being the wild card that we need to add some power to our net game.
“Aikey brings some good steady talent and he will be sharing a starting position. He is a bit too calm, though. I need to get him hungrier out there and more aggressive. He has a lot to offer. We just need to find a way to tap into it. Warner is finding his stride and will probably serve as a utility player. He will play where he is needed. I have him practice all positions.”
Rounding out the roster is new sophomore Hudson Carlson, who has caught his coach’s eye with the daily effort he brings to the court.
“I am very excited about Hudson,” said Lajoie. “He works harder than any kid on my team. He gives 100 percent every practice, every ball, every minute. His work ethic is like no other. Sometimes his technique is a little undeveloped, but what he lacks in skill right now, he makes up in determination. I’m hoping this will become contagious for my other players.”
It is clear that this season will be a special one for Lajoie, however it turns out.
“I think we should have a strong season, hopefully qualifying for tournament, and I would love to end my career with another League title,” reflected the coach. “I’m psyched to go out with my son and the rest of these seniors. I have been close to them for so many years, most of them spending quite a bit of time at my house. I’m looking forward to an exciting and memorable season.”
After which, she said, she looks forward to devoting her full attention during the spring months to watching daughter Hannah play Red Raiders softball.
After 20 years in the trenches, she has earned that front-row sideline seat.