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The spring sports season kicked off with both triumphs and disappointments as some teams reigned victorious while many other games were postponed due to unpredictably cold weather.
From April 1 to April 5, the season kicked off with wins for boys’ varsity volleyball, girls’ varsity tennis and both girls’ and boys’ varsity lacrosse. The volleyball team in particular made a massive comeback on April 1 after losing the first two sets to Ayer-Shirley Regional.
“The biggest takeaway for me and our team was that even though we lost the first two [sets] and it looked pretty bad, we didn’t give up; we kept fighting,” boys’ volleyball coach Andrew Kinney said. “That was good to see out of the first game of the season.”
The team made their massive comeback after a mindset change, and they came back to win the match 3-2.
“I felt like they weren’t really in it, their head wasn’t really in it and they weren’t competing that hard,” Kinney said. “Then in the third set, we had a couple of guys with fiery personalities take our team into a different attitude, and we were able to fight through three, four and five to win.”
For some outdoor sports, the week wasn’t as victorious; weather disruptions or massive losses held back multiple teams from kicking off their seasons with excitement.
“We had two days where we didn’t have practice,” girls’ track runner sophomore Izzie Gaskamp said. “It was either optional or run on your own because it was so cold and rainy and gross outside.”
Beyond canceling practices, the weather prevented teams like the varsity softball team from playing their opener.
“We’ve been working really hard and I know a lot of us were really excited and looking forward to playing,” varsity softball catcher junior Phoebe Lefebvre said. “Hopefully, we can channel that energy into today’s practice and also be ready to prepare for our home opener [against Gardner] on Monday.”
Due to Thursday’s snow, the softball team’s Friday home opener against Notre Dame was postponed to May 7. The biggest takeaway for me and our team was that even though we lost the first two [sets] and it looked pretty bad, we didn’t give up; we kept fighting. — boys’ volleyball coach Andrew Kinney
“It’s frustrating, but I understand because I wouldn’t want to play on snow,” softball player freshman Maeve Walker said. “I’m excited for when we can get the season going.”
Practice schedules were also disrupted by the rain and snow.
“I feel like it’s really affecting our team,” JV lacrosse player junior Meredith Wu said. “Because of the weather, we didn’t have a game or a practice.”
The varsity girls’ lacrosse team lost 17-14 to Wachusett while the boys’ lacrosse team won their game against Wachusett 10-6. Other victories this week include the varsity girls’ tennis team on April 1, winning 5-0 against AMSA. However, the team lost their Friday match against Nashoba in a close 3-2 loss. Sophomore Rebecca White and freshman Claire Wallace in the first doubles match and freshman Siyona Bhagwat as the second singles won their respective matches.
“Even though it was cold and rainy we still kept our heads up,” White said. “Even though we lost in the end, we were still happy that we pushed through and did our best.”
On April 1, the boys’ tennis team took a 5-0 loss to Hopkinton.
“For our first match being against Hopkinton, a really good team, I knew that the chances of winning were slim,” second doubles player freshman Ben Dane said. “I think it was still a good practice match for the freshmen and new people on the team.”
Even with so many losses this week such as varsity baseball’s crushing 14-0 loss to St. John’s, perseverance was a main theme of the season’s opening week. While losses and weather held back many Algonquin teams, the thrill of victory for others made for a successful opening week.
