The Natick High boys volleyball team didn’t win a state title but they defied the odds and the skeptics by capturing the Division 1 Central Tournament championship.
The Redhawks’ four triumphs in the Sectional playoffs enabled them to advance to the State tourney last month where they were eliminated by Westfield, 3-2, in the semifinals in Holyoke. Natick battled gallantly against the Bombers after trailing, 2-1. Matt Flaherty’s four kills and some key blocks gave the Redhawks a 25-23 win that forced a fifth game, which Westfield won, 15-7.
Coach Peter Suxho’s Redhawks, however, displayed lots of true grit. They were big underdogs, hardly getting a mention when the field was announced for the Sectional tourney. After all, defending state champ Framingham was in the draw along with a host of other powerhouse squads. And, the numbers didn’t project Natick as a serious threat. The Redhawks had a 9-7 record and were seeded 11th for the Sectional.
“We didn’t have a senior on our team,’’ said Suxho, who led Natick to a state title in 2007. “We had sophomores and juniors competing. We may have been inexperienced but hard work and dedication enabled us to win the Central title. Advancing as far as we did was a surprise. We had a great ride and a great season.’’
Natick opened with a 3-2 triumph over Xaverian, blanked Wachusett, 3-0, in the quarterfinals, then upset Framingham, 3-2, in the semifinals. A 3-2 victory over Leominster in the final earned the Redhawks the title trophy.
The key to Natick’s overall success was its starting six, led by Flaherty and Max Waltzman, the team’s captains. Flaherty, a middle hitter, and Waltzman, an outside hitter, were the team leaders in kills and blocks.
“Both boys are power hitters,’’ Suxho said. “Matt is 6-6 and Max is 6-3. Their size makes them excellent blockers. They’re athletic and their skills are very good because they play at the club level. Both were chosen as Bay State Conference all-stars.’’
Sophomore setter Brett Olen was on the junior varsity team last year but he improved immensely and earned the job as Natick’s quarterback. “Brett got better because he played club volleyball,’’ Suxho said. “He runs the show for our team. He’s athletic, smart, passes well and has excellent instincts.’’
A pair of junior hitters — Tyler Klein and Benjamin Everett-Wilson — played important roles. “Tyler is another club player who is a smart hitter and a very good receiver,’’ Suxho said. “Benjamin has played volleyball for only two months. He played basketball then decided to try out for volleyball. He’s a good athlete and one of our best blockers.’’
Junior libero, Hugh Campbell, a first-year player, provided a heads-up, intense style. “Hugh was very determined and focused,’’ Suxho said. “He reads the play well and reacts accordingly.’’
Suxho is no stranger to tournaments or big stages. He played volleyball in college in Albania and also coached the national team in his homeland. His son, Donald, who learned the game in Albania, was a scholarship player at the University of Southern California and he competed for the United States in the 2004, ’08, and 2012 Olympics.
Suxho previously coached at Millis where his boys team won the state title in 2004. At Natick for the last 13 years, his boys’ squads won the state title in 2007 and were state runners-up twice (2006, 2010). Natick has won four Sectional championships since he joined the coaching staff in 2005.
“We weren’t expected to go very far this year but our players fought so hard to become Sectional champs,’’ he said. “We made up for inexperience by overachieving. I’m very pleased with the season we had.’’
Suxho is also pleased that every player on his roster is returning next year. The 2018 campaign could be a season of dominance.
Issue Date:
July, 2017
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