The Swampscott High School girls volleyball team took care of business at home on Monday, sweeping Winthrop High School in three sets to win its fourth consecutive game.
The Big Blue were led by Alexandra Reames with 14 kills, Analicia Costa Creveling with 12 service points and Mia Tringale with 25 digs. The win improves Swampscott’s record to 9-6.
“I think they did a good job,” said Head Coach Brandy Wilbur. “They had good communication. They played well together as a team and that’s what we’re looking for. We played some different lineups today, and everyone did their job.”
Each of three sets was tied or within one point by the halfway mark, but the Big Blue rallied to roll away with all three.
“I still haven’t figured that one out,” said Wilbur. “It’s like we always have a mid game slump, but we’ve been able to kick it back into gear, which has been awesome.”
The Big Blue have won four of their last six games. Wilbur credited the team’s the positive stretch of play to getting more comfortable as the season progresses.
“I think they are all settling into their roles,” said Wilbur. “We’ve finally figured out the right roles for the right players. That’s your hope. That as the season goes on everybody starts getting really comfortable and better at the skills you’re asking them to do, so they are definitely getting there.”
The Big Blue used momentum to their advantage in the win, with a long run of consecutive points in each set.
In the first set, the score was 12-11 in favor of Swampscott before the Big Blue quickly took over and built a 20-12 lead. After a 12-12 start to the second set, the Big Blue outscored Winthrop 13-5 the rest of the way to take a 2-0 lead.
Set three mirrored the second set, as Swampscott led 13-12 around the halfway mark then rallied to increase its lead to 23-16. Winthrop scored a string of points with its backs against the wall, but it was too late.
With nine wins under their belt, qualifying for the MIAA playoff bracket looks good for the Big Blue.
“I think we have the talent to go a few rounds for sure, so I’m hopeful that we can put it all together at the right time,” said Wilbur.
Wilbur believes one thing driving the team is how close the student athletes are to one another.
“They are all truly friends,” she said. “They are such a great group of girls, and they all have each other’s back. It’s friendship through and through and that means a lot for me to see, and I think that’s what pulls them through.”
