The girls volleyball team advanced and lost in the state tournament. By placing 3rd overall in their division the team made the cut to move forward. They were not able, however, to continue beyond the first round of states. 

SHA’s and Commerce’s joint girls volleyball team advanced after placing 3rd place in the “Metro” Western Mass Conference in Division III. Their first match-up for states was against Diman Tech on the 2nd.

 The girls team finished with a 13-5 record, according to Mr. Wilkins, the athletic director. They had a 12-4 conference record with a win-loss record of 7-2 at home and a 6-3 record away. They won a total of 42 sets and while only losing 21.

“I had mixed feelings about going to states,” stated senior Christina Lopez, “On one hand I was excited since we’ve been working all season to participate in the state tournament and on the other hand I was nervous because I knew that our opponents would be strong.” 

The team was much more confident in themselves this year. They were in a much better position coming into the state tournament than the previous times they have made it. 

The Commerce girls volleyball team has qualified for states previously, however in last year’s season they lost more sets than they won at 33-34, a stark comparison to this year’s 42-21.  This was still a winning record, as they still advanced. 

“The girls team did go to states last year but we lost the first game. I was a little more confident in our team this year and I thought we could at least make it to the second round of states. We weren’t going to win a state title, but it was such an amazing experience playing some of the best teams in Massachusetts” said Ariel Cummings, a junior on the team.