2023 Girls Volleyball Showcase Recap

July 28, 2023

Girls Volleyball Showcase took place Saturday, July 8 - Sunday, July 9 at Game On in Fitchburg

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Saturday, July 8

Game #1 - Central (25:13, 25:12) vs West

The Central girls team opened up the Girls side of the showcase with strong play from Katy O’Connell (Northborough, Algonquin Reg. HS) and Lily Davidson (Rutland, Wachusett Reg. HS), leading them to a 25-13 first game win. The second game saw more of the same, as the Nault twins Victoria, and Sabrina (Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury HS) also helped power Central to a dominant game one performance, winning the second set 25-12.

Game #2 - Southeast (25:23) VS Coastal (25:15)

Southeast and Coastal started off strong, with good, competitive play throughout the entire first match, as Southeast used a good effort from Grace MacGilvray (Weymouth) to build a 5-point lead late in the set. Coastal challenged them however, using great plays from Addison Shelton (Attleboro, Attleboro HS) and Molly Simpkins (Plymouth, Plymouth South HS) to get southeast within one point, but fell short 25-23. In the second game, they redeemed themselves with standout performances from Haley Jenkins (Dartmouth, Dartmouth HS) and Addyson Smock (North Easton, Oliver Ames HS), forging runs of 4, and 8 points, coasting their way to a 25-15 win.

Game #3 - Northeast (25:13, 25:11) VS Metro

Despite Metro making strong plays early on in the first set, especially from Tatiana Sanabria (Chelsea, Chelsea HS) and Erin Higdon (Lynnfield, Lynnfield HS) helping them jump out to an early lead, Northeast found their game not long into this match, and was able to storm their way to a 25-11 win. The second set saw more of the same, with Akira Sopheap (Dracut, Bishop Guertin HS) and Meghan Downs (North Billerica, Billerica Memorial HS) getting involved. The team played fantastically together and went on to win the second set 25-11.

Game #4 - Central (25:16, 25:15) VS Metro

Central came out firing on all cylinders in this game with a lot of strong hitting and great team play from Teeghan Patch (South Grafton, Westborough HS), Katy O’Connell (Northborough, Algonquin Reg HS.) and Katelyn Julian (Mendon, Nipmunc Reg. HS). The second game was closer contested towards the beginning, with Erin Higdon (Lynnfield, Lynnfield HS) putting in a good fight, however the continued Central attack with Alexyss Chartier (Blackstone, Blackstone-Millville Reg. HS) and Ava Lemire (Webster, Bartlett HS) was too much, as Central marched their way to a 25-15 second game win.

Game #5 - Northeast (25:10) VS Southeast (26:24)

In the first set, Northeast was able to use a dazzling 12-point run to be on their way to a dominant first game, with the efforts of Gabriella Burdier (Bradford, Haverhill HS), Kathryn Driend (Sandown, Methuen HS), and Emmerson Cerasuolo (Bradford, Haverhill HS), taking the first set 25-10. In the second match, Southeast completely flipped the script on Northeast, forcing a locked, competitive game throughout. Despite Southeast’s steady lead, Northeast threatened with multiple runs. Caroline Gray (Whitman, Whitman-Hanson Reg. HS), and Keora Deeney (Norwell, Norwell HS) helped Southeast stand their ground, and take the second set, 26-24, forcing a split in the match.

Game #6 - Coastal (25:16, 25:21) VS West

This match featured an impressive start for the West squad, as they held the lead numerous times thanks to Sasha Fyfe (Dalton, Waconah Reg. HS) and Gabrielle Adams (Greenfield, Frontier Reg. HS). Unfortunately, they were unable to hold the lead, as Coastal stormed back to grab a 25:16 win in the first set, and rolled through the second game as well. Although closer in the end, the Coastal team found success thanks to consistent play from Haley Jenkins (Dartmouth, Dartmouth HS) and Hannah Storm (Swansea, Joseph Case HS).

Game #7 - Southeast VS Central (25:22, 25:14)

Game #7 started off with competitive play, and neither team being able to grab a big lead. This is when Central used quick substitutions, a deep lineup, and a 5-point run to end the game and win 25-22. In the second game, Central used an 8-point run and very little substitutions to win 25-19 behind balanced attacks from Isabel Heithoff-Veldpape (Bolton, Nashoba Valley Technical HS), Alexyss Chartier (Blackstone, Blackstone-Millville Reg. HS) and Ava Lemire (Webster, Bartlett HS).

Game #8 - Northeast (25:19, 25:16) VS Coastal

Northeast picked up two huge wins over coastal in a match that saw great performances, and a well-balanced attack between Julie Hall (Lowell, Central Catholic HS), Sydney Chalupa (Methuen, Methuen HS), and Adrie Waldinger (Andover, Andover HS), which helped them on multiple runs of 5 points in their first game, and 7 and 4 points in the second set, winning 25-19, and 25-16.

Game #9 - Coastal (25:10, 25:15) VS Metro

This match saw Coastal jump out to a hot start, with runs of 5, 4, and 5 again. They never gave Metro the chance to gain their footing, and used Molly Fredo (Centerville, Barnstable HS), Jaden Sabina (Taunton, Taunton HS), and Logan Hurwitz (Barnstable, Barnstable HS) to power their way to a 25-10 first set win. In the second set, Chloe McKinnon (Dartmouth, Dartmouth HS), and Sadie Wellbeloved (Cotuit, Barnstable HS) also got in the mix playing great team volleyball to secure the sweep, and a 25-15 second set win.

Game #10 - West VS Southeast (25:15, 25:21)

During this match, Southeast used a 6-point run, along with multiple diving plays to help propel them to a quick 25-15 first-game win. In the second game, West used great efforts from Chloe Schott (Longmeadow, Longmeadow HS) and Gabriella Manes (Feeding Hills, Agawam HS), however it wasn’t enough as Zoe Smallman (Weston, Weston HS) and Caroline Gray (Whitman, Whitman-Hanson Reg. HS) continued their good performances on the day, winning the second game 25-21.

Game #11 - Metro VS West (25:15, 26:24)

In this match, the West squad was able to use efforts from Allie Pierce (West Whately, Frontier Reg. HS), Ariana Miller (Greenfield, Frontier Reg. HS), and Angela Humble (Longmeadow, Longmeadow HS) to topple Metro 25-15. Metro came back into the second set with a little more flare however, as they used steady, consistent scoring from Bianca Greenan (Groton, Groton-Dunstable Reg. HS), and Valerie Ramirez (Chelsea, Chelsea HS) to get within one, however it wasn’t enough, as West took the second set as well, 26-24.

Game #12 - Central (25:22) VS Northeast (25:19)

Game #12 saw a Central team fight for, and establish an early lead versus northeast, chipping away point after point. Solid effort was put in from Isabel Heithoff-Veldpape (Bolton, Nashoba Valley Technical HS) and Jordan Child (Clinton, Assabet Valley Reg. Tech. HS) to take the first game 25-22, however Northeast played with passion in the second set, flipping the script and establishing a lead in the beginning, and never letting go. Emma Quin (Billerica, Billerica HS), and Emmerson Cerasuolo (Bradford, Haverhill HS) did their fair share in the second game, and Northeast never lost the lead on their way to a 25-19, second set win.

Game #13 - Southeast (25:16, 25:10) VS Metro

Southeast opened up this one strong with runs of 6, and 5 points powered by Soley Rodriguez-Martinez (Canton, Canton HS), and Kiara Shields (Brockton, Brockton HS), and took the first match 25-16. Despite great efforts from Metro libero Eleonore Alley (Dedham, Needham HS), the Southeast offensive attack was too much, and Southeast ran all the way to a 25-10 second game win.

Sunday, July 9
Game #14 - Northeast (25:13, 26:24) VS West

In the beginning of this match, the Northeast team had good input from Julie Hall (Lowell, Central Catholic HS), and Gabriella Burdier (Bradford, Haverhill HS), leading them to an impressive 25-13 win. West fired back with a competitive second match with great efforts from Meghan O’Bryan (Dalton, Wahconah Reg. HS) and Ariana Miller (Greenfield, Frontier Reg. HS). With rapid fire substitutions and multiple four-point runs, the West squad had it at a one-point deficit, 22-23, but Northeast prevailed 26-24.

Game #15 - Central (25:23, 25:19) VS Coastal

Central opened up this game at a deficit, calling their first time-out down 12-19. However, using multiple aces, and intense rallies, they fought their way back to take a two-point win in the first match. In the second game, the confidence carried over, as Central used a hot start and great performances from Alexyss Chartier (Blackstone, Blackstone-Millville Reg. HS) and Ava Lemire (Webster, Bartlett HS) to secure the sweep over coastal, and take the second set, 25-19.

Challenge Game #1 - Southeast (25:10, 25:17) VS Metro

Southeast continued right where they left off versus Metro, with an identical 25-10 win. During the second match, Metro posed a challenge, even holding the lead towards the beginning thanks to strong play by Erin Higdon (Lynnfield, Lynnfield HS), however southeast was ready for the semifinals, ultimately winning the second set 25-17 using multiple 5-point runs.

Challenge Game #2 - Coastal (25:21, 25:23) VS West

A rematch of game #6 from earlier, West was able to find themselves in a closer contest. Consistent, steady production from hitters led the West squad to be within reach of taking the first set, however a strong 8-point run for Coastal sealed it. The second game saw another close match, as the Middle Blockers on West, specifically Brianna Manes (Feeding Hills, Agawam HS), and Quinn Rowe (Westfield, Westfield HS) were able to help neutralize the Coastal attack, however Molly Fredo (Centerville, Barnstable HS), and Jaden Sabina (Taunton, Taunton HS) powered Coastal through to the semifinals with a 25-23 win.

SEMI #1 - Northeast (25:16, 25:22) vs Southeast

In this semi-final match, the Northeast team was able to use runs of 5, and 7 to help put them over the edge in a solid 25-16 win in set one. In a closer contested second set, Southeast used great effort from Zoe Smallman (Weston, Weston HS) however great defense and solid performances from Kathryn Driend (Sandown, Methuen HS) helped push Northeast into the Semi-Finals.

SEMI #2 - Central VS Coastal (25:10, 25:15)

In this semi-finals match-up, a rematch from Game #15, Central could not keep up with the powerful offense, ignited by wonderful passing that included Sadie Wellbeloved (Cotuit, Barnstable HS), and Molly Simpkins (Plymouth, Plymouth South HS). This well-balanced Coastal team found their way all weekend long, especially in closer fought battles, and in this one, they showed they were ready to compete for gold against the Northeast team.

BRONZE Medal Game - Southeast VS Central (25:13, 25:23)

The Central girls squad came out strong in their bronze medal match versus Southeast, with runs of 4 straight, and five straight points in the first set. Great defense by middle blocker Katy O’Connell (Northborough, Algonquin Reg. HS), and libero Laura Piekarski (Upton, Nipmunc Reg. HS) helped propel Central to a dominant first set. The second game saw more of the same early on, however Southeast challenged Central, tallying 10 more points than they had in the first set. Continued strong play from Zoe Smallman (Weston, Weston HS) and Caroline Gray (Whitman, Whitman-Hanson Reg. HS) helped contest Central in the second game, however it wasn’t enough, as Central grabbed the 25-23 win, and the bronze medal.

GOLD Medal Game - Northeast (27:25, 25:15) vs Coastal

In the first match of the gold medal game, both teams jostled for position attempting to build a lead, however it was Coastal who jumped out to the early advantage featuring great offense from Molly Fredo (Centerville, Barnstable HS). It was Northeast however, who never fell behind more than 4 points, and swooped in to snag the 27-25 win, with solid, consistent play from libero Erin Workman (Andover, Andover HS), and strong swinging from Gabby Burdier (Bradford, Haverhill HS). The second game saw more of this, as Northeast dominated on their way to a gold medal. Strong play also from Adrie Waldinger (Andover, Andover HS) and Kathryn Driend (Sandown, Methuen HS) all weekend helped Northeast take home the gold.

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Bay State Games Inducts Three Into the 2026 Hall of Fame

August 26, 2026

Representative Patricia Haddad (legislative leadership), Representative John Barrett (legislative leadership), and Ryan McCarthy (baseball coach) have been selected for induction into the 2026 Bay State Games’ Hall of Fame. The inductees will receive their award at a pre-game ceremony at Fenway Park on Sunday, June 14 prior to the Red Sox game against Texas. The Bay State Games Hall of Fame was created to recognize past participants who have gone on to prestigious and successful athletic careers, as well as former and current coaches, officials, sports organizers, and volunteers who have made significant contributions to the organization throughout its 38-year history. Past inductees among the over 60 previous honorees include the NBA’s Dana Barros (‘06), Pat Connaughton (‘25) and the late Reggie Lewis (‘02); WNBA’s Rebecca Lobo (‘03); Major League Baseball’s Rich Hill (‘13); Olympians Nancy Kerrigan (‘07), Ada Korkhin (‘25) and Samantha Livingstone (‘18) and US Paralympic Gold Medalist Joe Lemar (‘15). “The Bay State Games is proud of the many athletes who have participated in the program and gone on to achieve success at the collegiate, professional, and Olympic levels. We are equally proud of the coaches, sport organizers, community leaders, and supporters whose dedication, expertise, and generosity have helped make the Bay State Games possible.” Said Kevin Cummings, the Bay State Games Executive Director. “We are honored to recognize this year's Hall of Fame class and celebrate the significant contributions each inductee has made to the Bay State Games. Their commitment, leadership, and lasting impact have strengthened the organization and enriched the experience of countless athletes throughout the Commonwealth.” REP. PATRICIA HADDAD - LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP Massachusetts State Representative Patricia Haddad championed state support for the Bay State Games for over two decades. She has supported the recreation, health, and education-based programs of the organization that benefit thousands of Massachusetts participants each year. A former teacher for 14 years, Rep. Haddad represented the 5th Bristol District for 25 years and served as Speaker Pro Tempore of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for ten years. REP. JOHN BARRETT - LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP Massachusetts State Representative John Barrett from Berkshire County has been a strong supporter of the Bay State Games since the mid-1980s. Rep. Barrett was instrumental in bringing the Winter Games to Berkshire County, where they have been held for over 35 years. He has served as State Representative for Berkshire County since 2017 and was formerly Mayor of North Adams for 26 years. Rep. Barrett is also a leading advocate of the statewide Summer Games. RYAN MCCARTHY - BASEBALL COACH Ryan McCarthy from Portsmouth has served as volunteer baseball coach at the Bay State Games for over two decades. He has led the Northeast team to numerous championship medals. Ryan has devoted more than 25 years to coaching high school student-athletes in both baseball and football at Triton Regional High School, Newburyport High School, and Dighton-Rehoboth High School. He has had a positive impact on countless Massachusetts high school student-athletes. For more on the Bay State Games Hall of Fame and past inductees, click here. https://www.baystategames.org/hall-of-fame

Bay State Games Announces 2026 Athletes of the Year

August 25, 2026

Bay State Games is excited to announce its selections for the 2026 Athlete of the Year Awards. Any athlete who participated in the 2026 Bay State Summer or Winter Games was eligible to be nominated for these awards. Selection is based on participation in the Games and other athletic achievements. The 2026 selections are: Female Youth Athlete – Dana Howling Wolf Keller Male Youth Athlete – Holden Choma Female Adult Athlete – Kiara Cabral Male Adult Athlete - Jacob DeAndrade Dana Howling Wolf Keller , 17, of Shrewsbury, is a senior at Notre Dame Academy in Worcester and an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Native American Tribe. Volleyball has been a major part of her life. She started unable to serve over the net but, after countless hours of dedication, has turned serving into one of her strengths and learned that confidence is built through persistence. Dana plays setter and right side for her high school team and SLAM national club team, and captains both teams. She was named to the 2025 Central MA Athletic Conference All-Star Team and represented her school as a MIAA sportsmanship delegate. Dana represented the Central region for Girls Volleyball in the Bay State Games in 2024 & 2026. This year, she was also named the sportsmanship recipient for the Central Girls Volleyball team. Dana has also been a Bay State Games High School Ambassador. She has committed to continue playing volleyball in college at the University of St. Joseph (CT). Off the court, Dana extensively volunteers at the Shrewsbury Public Library and Shrewsbury Special Olympics. Notre Dame Academy honored her with the Katherine Forbes Eskrine Award for her community service. Dana is also active in her parish's youth group and has participated in several Catholic leadership programs. She aspires to become a forensic pathologist, and last summer served as a lab assistant to Dr. Ann Burgess in Boston College's Forensic Science Summer Program. Holden Choma, 17, of West Newbury, is a senior at Pentucket Regional High School. Holden has competed in Track and Field since his freshman year and specializes in the high jump. He dedicated himself to jumping higher, and in his first year, he improved from 5'2 to 6'6.75, and was at the top of the MIAA. He is also a 2x USATF Region 1 champion in the high jump. He also competed at the 2025 USATF Junior Olympics and was the 15-16 National Runner-Up. This year he faced a setback after suffering a patellar tendon tear on his jumping leg. After nearly a year to fully heal, he was the MIAA Division 5 champion in the spring, and this summer he competed in his second Bay State Games after winning silver in the 2025 high jump. Holden broke his slump by shattering a 30-year-old Bay State Games record in the high jump at 2.05m (6'8.75) and took home the gold medal. Outside of jumping, Holden enjoys volunteering at Ipswich Junior Sailing, teaching children how to sail safely, and now works as an instructor. As a member of his school's band, he marched in West Newbury's Veterans Day Parade and held a private performance for local veterans. Kiara Cabral, 23, of Somerset, is a recent graduate of Bridgewater State University. She also competed as a student-athlete on the track and field team in sprinting events. She had a storied career as a Bridgewater State Bear achieving accolades from the school to the national level. Kiara was named 2026 Woman’s Athlete of the Year by Bridgewater State and holds five school records in 60m Indoor, 200m Indoor, 400m Indoor + Outdoor, 500m Indoor, and 4x100 Outdoor. In the MASCAC conference she holds six championship titles which she earned from 2022 to 2026. The conference named Kiara Athlete of the Week on 21 occasions and she holds two conference records in the 4x100 and the 400m. Kiara was placed on the All-Academic team for three seasons and the Sportsmanship team once. She has been nationally recognized as an NCAA All-American and qualified for both the indoor and outdoor nationals in 2025 and the indoor nationals again in 2026. Kiara was first team All-American in the outdoor 4x100 relay in 2025 and the indoor 400m in 2026, and was named second team All-American for outdoor 400m in 2025. This summer, Kiara competed in the Bay State Games in the 100m and 200m events. She was the gold medalist in both events running a time of 12.51 in the 100m and 25.35 in the 200m. Kiara graduated last spring with a degree in Mathematics and Secondary Education. She has always had a passion for helping children understand and enjoy math, and will enter her first year teaching middle school math this fall. Jacob DeAndrade, 26 , of Foxboro, graduated from Bridgewater State University in 2024 with a Master of Business Administration and currently works in finance. Jacob was an accomplished student-athlete at Bridgewater State. In his rookie season at Bridgewater State, the school named him Rookie of the Year. He was a 10x Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference champion and a 3x member of the DIII All-Academic team. He is a 2x competitor in the Bay State Games Track and Field event. This year, Jacob had an especially impressive showing, earning gold in the 100m Open and 200m Open events with times of 10.83 and 22.04. In his free time, Jacob enjoys running, lifting, and playing soccer. Bay State Games Athlete of the Year recipients will receive a plaque commemorating their accomplishment. For more information on the Bay State Games Athlete of the Year program and past winners, go to www.baystategames.org/AOY .