RallyNorth.net

Raiders roll into state final

Thursday, November, 13 By Alan Siegel
Staff writer

NORTHBOROUGH — Maggie Hillman waited until just the right moment.

She wouldn’t be caught glancing at the scoreboard, not this year. But the moment it was over, she gave in.

“That point at 25 is always nice to look at,” she said.

Central Catholic never let up last night, defeating Longmeadow 25-20, 25-20, 25-13 in the Division 2 state semifinals at Algonquin Regional High School. The Raiders, who improved to 22-0, fell to Bourne in the same round last season.

“I’m feeling every emotion,” said Hillman, who finished with four kills. “I’m excited. I’m nervous.”

Central will face Medfield in the state final Saturday (3 p.m.) at Hudson High. Coach Gannon Paris’ club has been on a mission, dropping only a single game in four tournament wins.

“We fight on every ball and try to be our best,” Paris said. “Whether (we’re leading) by two points or 10 points, we’re pushing. This is I think why we’re good. Because we have the ability to block the surroundings out.”

Junior Katie Zenevitch dominated, recording a team-high 11 kills.

“I just love watching her,” Hillman said. “Even when I’m the court.”

In addition to powerful spikes, the Boston College-bound basketball standout utilized soft drop shots on several occasions.

“We’re developing that, we’re practicing that,” Paris said. “Her point of contact is above everybody else, no matter how good a blocker you are, she’s above you. She needs to know three are finer points of the game, she’s very receptive to learning.”

The Lancers had no answers for the Raiders. Libero Carla Borelli (19 digs) and setter Carolyn Eddy (23 assists) were both outstanding.

“Our battle is to control the battle in the back row,” Paris said. “Because if we can get it up to the front, that’s where we want to have the advantage.”

The Raiders bounced back, Paris said, from a tough, 3-1 win over Melrose in the North final.

“We were on the ropes a little bit,” he said. “For the first time in a long time, maybe all year. It kind of shocked us a little bit.”

But in the end, it didn’t matter. The Raiders will play for a state championship Saturday.