Barnstable High girls volleyball chasing first state title since 2016

There are not many high school athletic programs in the state like the Barnstable High girls volleyball team.

For most programs, winning a state title is a pipe dream or a stretch goal. But for Barnstable, winning state titles is within reach every fall.

And it’s been awhile since the Red Hawks were atop the Division 1 mountain.

“It’s motivating for the players because there’s no player in the program that has been a member of a state-championship team,” said Barnstable coach Tom Turco, who enters his 35th year at the helm with an unbelievable record of 723-74.

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Barnstable, which has 18 state titles and 13 this century, has not won Div. 1 since 2016. Since that last title, there’s been plenty of close calls. In 2017, Barnstable’s first and only loss came in the state semifinals. In 2018, that lone loss was in the state finals. The 2019 season ended with another state semifinal appearance.

There was no state tournament during the 2020-21 school year (Barnstable won the Cape & Islands tournament). Last year, the Red Hawks lost in the Elite Eight.

“We can’t rely on past glories,” said Turco. “We have to take every year as it comes. We know that to win a state championship it’s hard. People think we roll it out in the past and right now there’s so much parity and there’s so many good teams. We try to create a schedule that’s going to be preparing ourselves for the tournament.”

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In 2021, Barnstable battled some mid-season struggles. A three-game losing streak had the Red Hawks standing at 5-5 in early October but Barnstable rattled off 10 consecutive wins, including two in the tournament, before falling to top-seeded Franklin in the Elite Eight.

“I thought getting as far as we did was certainly not as far as the players wanted to go to, but I thought all things considered they achieved a lot,” said Turco of last season. “It was a tough way to end up in Franklin but that has certainly been a motivating factor for the returning players.”

The Red Hawks expect to be right back in the state-title mix once again, but Turco concedes it’s a deep field of contenders.

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“The difference in the state in the last three or four years is that there are no dominant teams where you have one or two really, really dominant teams and then it falls off a little bit,” said Turco. "Now, especially in Division 1, right now I could say there are eight teams that could win this and there’s no one team that is heavily favored."

“We’re absolutely in the mix. When the strength of schedule comes out, I’d be shocked if we’re not in the top five teams of strength of schedule.”

This year’s versions of the Red Hawks will be led by their three senior captains — Lindsay Jones, Lillie Ells and Mackenzie Vetorino.

"Their leadership is important because there are 11 players who are underclassmen under them,” said Turco.

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Jones, a 6-0 middle hitter, was named to the Division 1 All-State Team last fall. She led the team with 205 kills and 36 blocks last season.

Ells is an outside hitter while Vetorino is currently a defensive specialist.

“Lillie Ells brings a phenomenal work ethic to the team,” said Turco. "She’s just a quiet leader, leads by example and she worked out all summer long. She’s in great physical condition and she’s definitely stronger than she was last year. That type of quiet leadership is welcomed and motivating for her teammates.”

Vetorino has also had a strong showing in the offseason and preseason.

Joining Jones as a middle hitter is junior Charlotte Sullivan. Sullivan started every game last season. Junior Logan Hurwitz is back in the libero slot after leading the team with 206 digs last season.

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Junior Molly Fredo and sophomore Molly Gleason are promising outside hitters who haven’t received much playing time in the past.

“The thing about this year’s team is there’s no one dominant hitter,” said Turco. “I’ve got five hitters that can produce on the court so that makes for a tougher team to defend.”

Hurwitz and Gleason will be responsible for setting Barnstable’s defense and getting the hitters going.

“It all comes down to those unsung players who actually start everything,” said Turco. “Passing the volleyball determines your level. So you can have the best hitters in the state but if you don’t have people who are controlling the ball and passing the ball in system, it’s for naught. We’ve got a good core of defensive players.”

Laura Cogswell will be a tough player for the Red Hawks to replace. Cogswell, who is now at the University of Miami (Ohio), was an All-State player with Jones and had over 1,000 career assists. Sadie Wellbeloved, a junior, will step into those shoes.

“She’s worked hard all season, all offseason,” said Turco of Wellbeloved. “She came into tryouts very highly motivated and is getting better everyday.”

Barnstable girls volleyball fall 2022 schedule

Sept. 7 vs. Danvers, 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 9 vs. Hingham, 5:15 p.m.

Sept. 12 at Hopkinton, 6 p.m.

Sept. 19 at Falmouth, 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 21 vs. Dennis-Yarmouth, 5 p.m.

Sept. 27 at Winchester, 5 p.m.

Sept. 29 at Sandwich, 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 30 vs. Notre Dame Academy (Hingham), 6 p.m.

Oct. 3 vs. Nauset, 5 p.m.

Oct. 5 vs. Falmouth, 4 p.m.

Oct. 7 vs. Westborough, 6 p.m.

Oct. 9 at Volleyball Classic at American International College

Oct. 13 at Bishop Feehan, 4 p.m.

Oct. 17 vs. Sandwich, 5 p.m.

Oct. 19 at Nauset, 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 21 at Dennis-Yarmouth, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 vs. Needham, 7  p.m.

Oct. 26 at Dartmouth, 7 p.m.

Oct. 28 vs. Quincy, 6 p.m.

Key matchups

There’s no breaks in Barnstable’s schedule and it starts with a bang.

The Red Hawks open the season on Sept. 7 at home against Danvers (5:30 p.m.). What follows is some tough early-season games against Hingham, Hopkinton, Dennis-Yarmouth, Falmouth and Winchester. Hingham and Winchester were in the Div. 1 tournament last season. Hopkinton is the defending Div. 2 state champion and D-Y was a Div. 3 state finalist. Falmouth was another tournament qualifier.

“Their goals are pretty high so you’ve got to face the best,” said Turco. "We’ve always done that.”

On Oct. 7, Barnstable hosts Westborough, which was a Div. 2 finalist last season.

The Red Hawks end the season with games against Dartmouth, Needham and Quincy. Needham reached the Div. 1 Final Four last season and Quincy defeated Barnstable in the 2021 season opener.

“There’s no let-up in the schedule so I think they’re mentally and physically prepared for it,” said Turco.

Top players

Lindsay Jones, Sr. middle hitter

Lillie Ells, Sr. outside hitter

Mackenzie Vetorini, Sr. defensive specialist

Logan Hurwitz, Jr. libero

Charlotte Sullivan, Jr. middle hitter

Molly Fredo, Jr.  outside hitter

Sadie Wellbeloved, Jr. setter

Molly Gleason, Soph., outside hitter

Contact Chris McDaniel at cmcdaniel@capecodonline.com. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisMcDaniel88.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Key matchups, top players and more for Barnstable girls volleyball