Peabody 9-6

SEPTEMBER 6, 2018
WEEKLYNEWS.NET - 978-532-5880 11
Fenwick hoping for Bright future
By Anne Marie Tobin
PEABODY — The Bishop Fenwick football team
may have had a down season last year, but if history
has anything to do with it, look for the Crusaders to
make some serious noise in 2018.
Last year, Fenwick finished 4-7 and failed to make
the playoffs for the first time since 2012. In 2013, however,
the Crusaders went from rags to riches and polished
off a perfect 13-0 season with a Division 5 Super
Bowl championship.
With a brand new turf field and 10 starters returning
on offense and another six returners on defense, the
Crusaders look to be locked and loaded with all the
pieces in place for an exciting season, one in which
they hope to contend for a conference title and another
Super Bowl championship.
“We always have high expectations so we are hoping
to be in the mix for a league title come Thanksgiving
and as always our goal is to get back to Gillette,” said
coach and athletic director Dave Woods. “The team has
looked great in pre-season, they have come into camp
in excellent condition and have been working hard. We
saw some good things (a week ago against Peabody)
and some things we need to work on.”
Woods added that the team is also reaping the benefits
of its narrow loss to St. Mary’s last Thanksgiving.
“The St. Mary’s game is always a high point of our
season, so to have so many young kids play major roles
in that game last year is a real positive heading into this
year.”
The Crusaders will be led by captains Keegan
O’Connor, a receiver/defensive back, quarterback Cory
Bright, a 2-year captain, left tackle Tom MacDonald
and receiver/strong safety Derek DelVecchio.
Bright, who has been susceptible to injuries
throughout his Fenwick career, has seen limited action
(by design) in the preseason.
“Cory is the key to our offense, as most quarterbacks
are to each school. Cory being our starter since his
FILE PHOTO
Fenwick quarterback Cory Bright is hoping for an
injury-free season this fall.
freshman year, we do depend on him for a lot,” Woods
said. “He looks great and is healthy and is ready for an
exciting senior season.”
Bright has the luxury of an experienced offensive
line in sophomore center Matt Juneau, senior guard Ian
Connor and junior tackle TJ Hazard. Joining Bright in
the backfield is junior running back David Cifuentes.
Senior George Fiskatoris and sophomore Stefano
Fabiano return as slot receivers.
Defensively, while several positions are still up for
grabs, Fabiano and O’Connor return as cornerbacks
and DelVecchio returns as safety. Sophomores Chrys
Wilson and Andrew Wilson return at linebacker and
Connor will see action on the line.
“It’s hard to say who are key players because they are
all so valuable and talented,” Woods said.
“We also have a transfer, Joe Rivers, from MC, who
will contribute on both sides of the ball.
“We have had a few kids really step up so far, again
we have a lot of talented kids and we expect a lot from
them, and they haven’t disappointed us.,” Woods said.
“I think Joe has been a pleasant surprise and he will
be one of the better players in our league. Jake Miano
has really started to come into his own and is playing
great on both sides of the ball. Jake Connolly is another
kid who is just a football player and has been a blast to
coach and watch develop.”
As far as the conference goes, Woods said the title is
up for grabs.
“Austin Prep has dropped out of our league so it’s
Arlington Catholic, Archbishop Williams, Cardinal
Spellman & St. Mary’s,” said Woods. “I honestly believe
any one of these teams can win the league title.
St. Mary’s, Williams and AC all have new coaches, so
we’ll see as the season unfolds what changes we can
expect from each of these teams.”
Fenwick christens it new turf field tomorrow night
in its season opener against CAL opponent Hamilton-
Wenham. Kickoff at Donaldson Field is set for 7 p.m.
“The entire school community is excited about all of
the enhancements we have made on campus, including
the new turf field and the brand new tennis courts,” said
Woods.
“We are expecting a huge crowd to come out to see
the new field and the start of a new football season. I
think our football program is in good hands and should
be very strong for the next four years.”
Experience, chemistry key to volleyball
By Anne Marie Tobin
PEABODY — After graduating
nine seniors, one would think that the
Peabody volleyball team might be in a
rebuilding mode this year. But with five
returning players, three of whom are
now in their third year as varsity players,
and a roster that features eight seniors,
two juniors and one sophomore, the
Tanners have plenty of experience and
team chemistry to bank on in 2018.
“It’s still early, but already I can tell
you this is a fun team,” said Lisa Keene,
now in her 15th season as coach of the
Tanner,s who open the season tonight
against Danvers. “The girls really care
about each other both on and off the
court and I believe it will translate into
positives for us, so I am optimistic about
the season. We lost nine seniors, and
that’s the most I have ever lost, so we
are still working on figuring everything
out, but we have great leadership so I am
very confident.”
Leading the way for the 2018 Tanners
are their five senior captains - Alex
Houlden, Rachel Coleman, Tatiana
Correia, Martyna Kot and Alexa
Flewelling.
Coleman, a setter, returns for a third
season on varsity. She led the team in assists
last year and was second on the team
in service aces, earning Northeastern
Conference All-League All-Star honors
in her first year as a starter.
“She also is probably our most consistent
server,” said Keene.
Correia returns for a third season as
libero, while Kot, an outside hitter, is
FILE PHOTO
Peabody girls volleyball captains are, from left, Rachel Coleman, Martyna
Kot, Tatiana Correira, Alex Houlden and Alexa Flewelling.
also back for a third varsity year. Correia
and Kot were a dynamic defensive duo,
accounting for more than half of the
team’s digs last year, while Kot also
ranked third in kills and Correia ranked
fifth in aces.
Keene said her captains provide valuable
leadership roles both on and off the
court.
“Alex (Houlden) is an easy-going
person who has a knack for motivation
and bringing the girls together. She is
the one kid who when, anytime you need
anything to get done, will get it done
because she has great organizational
skills,” said Keene. Alexa (Flewelling)
is a cheerleader on and off the court. She
is very kind and caring and doesn’t let
kids get down on themselves.
“Martyna has serve power and
amazing court instincts and is a passer
and one of the best defenders on the
team. She also led the team in aces as
her serve is very tough to return,” said
Keene. “We’d like to get her more set
opportunities and also use her power
more.
“Tatiana just takes command of the
court and is the most vocal of the group.
She is absolutely the best passer on the
team.”
Middle hitter Jonalyn Carpenter, outside
hitter Danielle Diantigikas, and
middle hitters Sammy Wallace and Ava
LaValle round out the senior group,
while outside hitters Olivia Kiricoples
and Amanda Marmiani made the jump
up from the junior varsity and round out
the junior group. Lily Ryan, an outside
hitter, is the sole sophomore who made
the varsity cut.
“Ava was a starter last year and
Sammy is new to the program,” Keene
said. “She (Sammy) will help our program
with her height, athleticism and
aggressiveness. Lily is still learning the
system and it will take some time for her,
but I am confident that after scrimmages
and games, she will be a contributor.”
Keene said her eyes are set on winning
the conference, which the Tanners last
did in 2015.
“Obviously, that is always a goal as is
making the tournament, but the bigger
goal is to just get better every day, every
practice and every game,” said Keene.
“We also have our community goal. Every
year the girls pick one personal tragedy to
dedicate their season to, and this year the
girls chose to honor Ella O’Donnell, who
had brain cancer. Many players on the
team have younger sisters who went to
school with Ella, so this is very personal.”
Peabody has five non-conference
matches on the schedule, four of them
against the iron of the Cape Ann League.
The Tanners hope to avenge last year’s
North Division 1 tournament loss to
North Andover tomorrow night (Friday)
at home. Last year, the Tanners (15-5)
were the No. 7 seed in the tournament
but were upended by North Andover,
3-0, in the first round.
The Tanners also have non-conference
tilts scheduled against Lynnfield at home
on Sept. 24; CAL defending champion
Hamilton-Wenham on the road Oct. 8;
Masconomet on the road Oct. 19 and
North Reading on the road Oct. 24.
Peabody wraps up the regular season at
Danvers Oct. 29.
Keene expects that while Danvers is the
team to beat in the NEC, Marblehead and
Beverly will also be strong.
“Our first game against Danvers will
definitely be a big test,” Keene said.