Volleyball ends season winless
When the 2008 volleyball season ended, Dedham High coach Marge Bohan had just five players returning that had any sort of experience at the varsity level.
Starting setter, junior Tori Wood, never got a chance to run the offense as she tore an ACL during softball and Maggie Griesmer, one of two seniors on the team with significant experience, broke her thumb in the second match of the season and missed about half the year.
It left the Marauders in full-blown rebuilding mode as they suffered through an 0-18 season, after dropping three tight games to Milton in the season final on Tuesday, 25-20, 25-23, 25-19.
“It still hasn’t sunk in, the kids never quit all season,” said Bohan, who completed her 32nd year as head coach and has been on the sidelines for all 33 years of the program’s history. “We were a young team starting out and they worked hard every day. They worked hard on our weaknesses, passing and lack of communication. I never questioned the hustle. They made big improvements throughout the season, but going against teams that are improving as well. We were much more competitive the second time around against teams like Norwood and Milton.”
Julia Berkey led the squad on and off the court keeping spirits up and by doing every possible role on the floor.
“The record doesn’t indicate the type of season she had,” said Bohan of the senior co-captain.
Bohan was impressed with the debut of freshman Jodie Munchbach, who showed promise from the start and only improved as the season moved along.
Junior Samantha Parr filled the setting role vacated by Wood’s absence and became a solid contributor. Fellow junior Aleetha Bartolome showed an eye for the game and athleticism on the back row.
Sophomore Ally Hargis got better as the season moved along and held her own in the middle while libero Ali McLeod was a solid contributor in the back row defense.
Girls soccer closes in on crown
The Marauders moved within a point of clinching a share of the BSC Herget title with wins over Brookline (6-2) last Wednesday and Natick on Friday (3-2). At 13-2-1 overall and 11-2-1 in the league, a tie guarantees a piece of the title and a win an outright crown in either of Dedham’s final two games, scheduled for at Milton last night and home against Walpole tomorrow.
Jenna Savi and Patrice Vettori accounted for all the scoring in both games. Savi had a career-high four goals against the Warriors and Vettori added two goals and three assists. Against the Red and Blue, Vettori had two goals and an assist to become the Marauders’ all-time scoring leader and Savi added a goal.
Baron advances to state finals
Dedham’s 356 total was not enough to advance them at the Division 3 South Shore sectional qualifier Tuesday at Pocasset Golf Club, but there will be one Marauder playing on.
Junior Matt Baron shot a 7-over par 79 to earn a spot at next Monday’s Div. 3 state championship at Wyantenuck Country Club in Great Barrington as an individual.
“He’s been solid all year, I’m excited for him,” said Dedham coach Ed Hickey. “Hopefully he can put it together again on Monday.”
Dan Riley’s 86 was next best for the Marauders, while a 94 from Bobby Sennott and a 97 from John Kotkowski completed Dedham’s total, taking the top four scores for six golfers. Walker Macon (100) and Jason Riley (108) rounded out the Marauder contingent.
Dwan goal edges Brookline
Meaghan Dwan popped in the game-winner with about 12 minutes left last Wednesday to give the Marauders a 3-2 win over Brookline. Becky Cormack and Amanda Celata scored in the first half to give Dedham a 2-1 lead at the intermission. Kelly Celata, who assisted on Cormack’s tally, Tara Celata and Sara Mosca all played well in the win.
Natick rolled past the Marauders, 4-1, on Friday. Kaitlyn Abber scored the lone Dedham goal in the contest off a pass from Kelly Celata as the Marauders dropped to 5-10-1.
Injury riddled boys soccer drops pair
Senior Fadi Ghantous scored his first career goal on Friday in a 5-2 loss to Natick off a rebound of a shot from Jamir Benitez.
Benitez had pulled the Marauders (5-10-1, 4-10-0) to within 3-1 midway through the second half off a pass from Matt Casey.
Andrew Murphy had two goals and two assists for the Red and Blue. Jeff Farrell, who did not play because of a concussion, shut Murphy down in Dedham’s 3-1 win in the first meeting, The Marauders were also without Alvaro DeLaPuente and Chris Rush.
Defenders Mac Farrell and Kevin Rosa and goalkeeper Scott Murphy played well for Dedham in a 2-0 loss to Brookline last Wednesday.
