HS Roundup: Mohawk Trail volleyball overcomes 2-0 deficit to defeat Turners, 3-2 (PHOTOS)

Turners Falls' Madi Liimatainen serves against Mohawk Trail on Thursday in Turners.

Turners Falls' Madi Liimatainen serves against Mohawk Trail on Thursday in Turners. STAFF PHOTO/THOMAS JOHNSTON

Mohawk Trail's Jade Wheeler serves against Turners Falls in Turners Thursday.

Mohawk Trail's Jade Wheeler serves against Turners Falls in Turners Thursday. STAFF PHOTO/THOMAS JOHNSTON

The Mohawk Trail volleyball team huddles during a match against Turners Falls on Thursday in Turners.

The Mohawk Trail volleyball team huddles during a match against Turners Falls on Thursday in Turners. STAFF PHOTO/THOMAS JOHNSTON

Turners Falls' Maddie Dietz serves against Mohawk Trail on Thursday in Turners.

Turners Falls' Maddie Dietz serves against Mohawk Trail on Thursday in Turners. STAFF PHOTO/THOMAS JOHNSTON

Mohawk Trail's Palmer King serves against Turners Falls in Turners Thursday.

Mohawk Trail's Palmer King serves against Turners Falls in Turners Thursday. STAFF PHOTO/THOMAS JOHNSTON

Staff Reports

Published: 10-03-2024 9:08 PM

The Mohawk Trail volleyball team found itself in a familiar position on Thursday against Turners Falls. 

When the Warriors squared off with the Thunder in Buckland earlier in the season, they fell into a 2-0 hole but dug deep to win the final three sets to pull out a 3-2 victory. 

On Thursday, Mohawk Trail found itself in the same deficit. 

Turners stormed ahead late to earn a 25-23 win in the opening set and in the second set, the Thunder cruised to a 25-15 win to take a commanding 2-0 lead. Just as they did the first time around, the Warriors didn’t panic. 

Mohawk Trail dominated the third, 25-15, to stay alive and earned a 25-19 win in the fourth set to force a fifth and final set. There, the Warriors pulled away late to earn a 15-11 set win to once again walk away with a 3-2 victory. 

The win puts Mohawk Trail (9-1, 8-0) in the drivers seat for the Northern League championship. 

“I can’t be more proud of my team,” Mohawk Trail coach Sherri Lannon said. “I’m elated and at a loss for words. I have a really great squad this year. They’re selfless with the ball and they’ll do whatever it takes to get the job done. It’s an amazing feeling to have that support on the court.” 

Palmer King led the way with 17 aces, 14 digs, 19 kills and six assists for the Warriors. Jade Wheeler made 12 digs, Abby Moffatt dished an assist and made six digs and Maddie Finn put down two aces in the win. 

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“We have great leadership on the court,” Lannon said. “Palmer is an amazing leader and helps teach the younger kids on the team where to go and what to do. He picks everyone up when they’re hanging their heads. Adrian Grant does the same thing. They’re great leaders for us.” 

Madi Liimatainen finished with 11 kills, four aces and four digs, Janelle Massey put down four kills while Maddie Dietz dished 14 assists for Turners. 

Franklin Tech 3, Mahar 0 — Shelby O’Leary dished 16 assists and put down three digs while Jenna Petrowicz recorded three aces, three kills, six digs and one block in the Eagles’ 26-24, 25-18, 25-21 victory over the Senators in Turners Thursday. 

Emma Petersen (three aces, eight kills, eight digs), Sarah Beckwith (three aces, three kills, nine digs) and Madison Pettengill (five kills, five digs, three assists, two blocks) had strong games in the win for Franklin Tech. 

Madelynn Burgess finished with 10 aces, four assists and four digs while Mckenzie Scribner (seven digs, one ace) and Mia Santana (two aces, one kill) played well for Mahar. 

Girls soccer

Holyoke 6, Mahar 1 — Jenna Nolette scored on a penalty kick for the Senators in a loss to the Purple Knights in Holyoke Thursday. 

Golf

Pioneer 173, Athol 180 — Ethan Mauthe was the match medalist with a 38, propelling the Panthers to a win over the Bears at Ellinwood Country Club Thursday. 

Ben Werner (44), Brayden Thayer (45) and Chayton Massa (46) also scored for Pioneer while Ethan Heuer (39), Brandon Adams (39), Dom St. Andre (47) and Oliver Johnson (55) scored for Athol. 

Athol 180, Hopkins 187 — Behind Heuer’s 39, the Bears were able to come out with a win on Thursday, knocking off the Golden Hawks at Ellinwood. 

Mohawk Trail 174, Springfield Central 243 — Logan Moore carded a 38 to finish as the medalist while Douglas Wilcox and Deegan Kelleher each shot a 45 in the Warriors’ victory at Greenfield Country Club Thursday. 

Tyler Zdanowicz rounded out the scoring for Mohawk Trail with a 46. 

Frontier 173, Amherst 188 — Brady Wood shot a 41 in the Redhawks’ victory over the Hurricanes at Amherst Country Club Thursday. 

Cam Skiffington (42), Ryan Cetto (43) and Christian Powell (47) also scored for Frontier. 

Field hockey

Franklin Tech 3, Hampshire 0 — Hannah Gilbert scored a pair of goals and dished an assist in the Eagles’ victory over the Raiders on Thursday. 

Avery Heathwaite recorded a goal while Madison Markwell made three saves for Tech. 

East Longmeadow 6, Mahar 0 — Emma Gosselin scored a pair of goals for the Spartans in a win over the Senators Thursday. 

Bella Burnett made eight saves for Mahar. 

Northampton 0, Mohawk Trail 0 — Neither the Blue Devils or the Warriors were able to put one in the back of the cage Thursday, leading to a scoreless draw in Buckland. 

Redyn Gutierrez made five saves for Mohawk Trail. 

Wednesday results

Volleyball

Frontier 3, Amherst 2 — Trailing 2-1, the Redhawks found their composure and fought back to earn a 25-23, 15-25, 22-25, 27-25, 15-5 victory over the Hurricanes in Amherst Wednesday. 

Abigail Hernandez finished with 19 kills and 14 digs, Hannah Davis came up with 20 digs, Greta Hale put down eight kills and one ace, Olivia Machon recorded six kills and 11 digs while Parrish Stilla had two aces and 35 assists in the victory. 

Deerfield results

Here are the Deerfield Academy results from Wednesday: girls soccer beat Williston (5-1), boys soccer tied Berkshire (1-1), volleyball beat Williston (3-0) and field hockey knocked off NMH (5-0).