Old Rochester volleyball hopes to repeat last year’s playoff success
Oct 31, 2022
The Bulldogs celebrate after winning a set against Dartmouth. Photos by: Morgan Beard
Cami Van Ness dives for the ball.
Caroline Brogioli high-fives the bench as she subs out of the game.
Aubrie Letourneau sets the ball.
Ava Vander Pol delivers a powerful spike.
Team captain Ella Van Ness plays the ball.
The Old Rochester girls’ volleyball team finished off its regular season on Friday, Oct. 28 with a loss to Dartmouth, but Head Coach Jimmy Oliveira said the team still showed it has what it takes to stay competitive against top opponents as it heads into the playoffs.
“I’m satisfied with how we played today,” Oliveira said after the game, despite the 3-1 loss. “Overall, even though it was a loss, I think it was a good way to go into the playoffs.”
Oliveira added that Dartmouth — one of the top teams in Division II — was a tough matchup for the Division III Bulldogs.
“Dartmouth is a quality opponent… they have a lot of experienced players and a good coach, so I was happy with the energy and execution that we brought today,” he said. “I don’t really think the score showed the level of play by both teams.”
He said that moving into the tournament, he hopes his team will feel good about its ability to compete against the best teams.
“We have a pretty young team, so for them to be able to stick with a team like Dartmouth and make some good defensive plays, keep some long rallies going… I think that should give them some confidence moving forward that they can compete with quality opponents,” Oliveira said.
Oliveira said that although the team lost six seniors from last year’s state-championship-winning squad (including two all-state players), the team has still found inspiration in its past success.
“It’s just a reminder, we did it once,” he said. “It’s a different season. We have different kids. Other teams have different kids. But it's just the mindset that it is doable.”
Old Rochester is ranked as the fifth seed in the Division III tournament, just one position below where last year’s team ranked going into the playoffs.
“So hopefully that’s good luck,” said Oliveira.
The team will start the tournament with a first-round bye-week before taking on the winner of Apponequet (28) vs. East Boston (37) in the round of 32. The time and date of the match are yet to be determined but will come sometime between Nov. 3 and 5.
