2025 Boys Volleyball Showcase Recap

August 14, 2025

The 2025 Boys Volleyball Showcase took place between July 12th and July 13th

at Game On in Fitchburg

Central: Gold

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Game 1: Northeast v. Central Boys

In the opening match of the Bay State Games Boys Volleyball Showcase, Northeast delivered a commanding performance, sweeping Central in straight sets. The final scores were 25-13 and 25-11 in favor of Northeast.

From the first whistle, Northeast controlled the tempo with strong serves, aggressive net play, and solid defensive coverage. Their cohesive team play and communication kept Central off-balance throughout both sets. Central showed flashes of promise but struggled to find rhythm against Northeast’s consistent pressure.

The Southeast team served as the work crew for this match.

With this dominant victory, Northeast sets a strong tone for the rest of the tournament.

Game 2: Southeast v. West Boys

In the second volleyball match of the day, West edged out Southeast in two straight sets, winning 25-22 and 25-17.

The opening set was tightly contested, with both teams trading points in a back-and-forth battle. West pulled ahead late with a key run, capitalizing on Southeast errors and strong serving to take the set 25-22.

In the second set, West built on their momentum, tightening up their defense and finding success at the net. Southeast fought hard but couldn’t keep pace, as West closed out the match with a 25-17 victory.

Northeast served as the work team for this match.

With this win, West starts the tournament strong, showing early promise in this year’s showcase.

Game 3: Coastal v. Northeast Boys

In a thrilling opening match of the boys volleyball Round Robin tournament, Northeast edged out Coastal in a hard-fought three-set battle. After dropping the first set, Northeast stormed back to take the next two, winning the match with set scores of 25-20 and 17-15.

Coastal came out strong in the opening set, using sharp serving and aggressive net play to keep Northeast on their heels. They maintained a steady lead to take the first set 25-21.

Refusing to back down, Northeast regrouped in the second set. With improved communication and a more consistent attack, they pulled ahead midway through and held on to win 25-20, forcing a decisive third set.

The final set was a nail-biter, with both teams trading points and momentum. In the end, Northeast showed grit under pressure, narrowly clinching the set 17-15 to complete the comeback victory.

West served as the work team for this match.

Northeast earns a hard-earned win, while Coastal proves they’re a tough competitor in this closely contested matchup.

Game 4: Central v. Southeast Boys

In the fourth match, Southeast secured a straight-set victory over Central, winning 25-15 and 25-21.

Southeast came out strong in the first set, establishing an early lead with consistent serving and aggressive play at the net. Central struggled to find rhythm, and Southeast capitalized on errors to take the set comfortably, 25-15.

The second set was more competitive, with Central tightening up their defense and keeping pace early on. However, Southeast maintained their composure and pulled away late, closing out the match with a 25-21 win.

West served as the work team for this match.

With this win, Southeast picks up a solid victory, showing poise and energy as the tournament continues.

Game 5: Northeast v. West Boys

In one of the most competitive matches of the boys’ volleyball showcase so far, Northeast edged out West in a thrilling three-set showdown. Set scores were 25-17 and 16-14 in favor of Northeast and 25-20 in favor of West.

Northeast started strong, dominating the first set with sharp execution and aggressive play. Their serve-receive and net presence kept West off-balance, leading to a convincing 25-17 win.

West bounced back in the second set, adjusting their strategy and cutting down on errors. With improved communication and timely kills, they took control late in the set and evened the match with a 25-20 victory.

The third and deciding set was a nail-biter. Both teams battled point for point, trading momentum and showing great resilience. In the end, Northeast held their nerve, clinching the set 16-14 and the match in dramatic fashion.

Southeast served as the work team for this match.

Northeast’s victory adds another strong result to their Round Robin campaign, while West showed toughness in a closely contested loss.

Game 6: Coastal v. Central Boys

In Game 6 of the Boys’ Volleyball Showcase, Coastal held off a determined Central squad to win in straight sets, 27-25 and 25-22.

The opening set was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading leads and pushing each other past the 25-point mark. Coastal managed to stay composed under pressure, edging out Central 27-25 in a thrilling finish.

The second set followed a similar pattern, with Central fighting hard to stay in the match. Coastal, however, maintained a slight edge with steady serving and solid defense, eventually sealing the set 25-22 to complete the sweep.

Southeast served as the work team for this match..

With this win, Coastal picks up a key victory and continues to build momentum in the tournament, while Central showed grit in a tightly contested matchup.

Game 7: Southeast v. Coastal Boys

In Game 7 of the volleyball showcase, Southeast delivered a strong performance to defeat Coastal in straight sets, 25-22 and 25-19.

The first set was closely contested, with both teams exchanging runs and keeping the score tight throughout. Southeast pulled ahead late with key defensive plays and clutch serving, holding on to win the set 25-22.

In the second set, Southeast built on their momentum, establishing an early lead and maintaining control with smart hitting and solid court coverage. Coastal battled to stay close, but Southeast’s consistency proved too much as they closed out the match 25-19.

Central served as the work team for this match.

With this win, Southeast continues to show strong form in the tournament, while Coastal looks to regroup heading into their next matchup.

Game 8: West v. Central Boys

In the eighth game of the volleyball showcase, West cruised to a straight-set victory over Central with scores of 25-12 and 25-17.

West came out firing in the first set, dominating from the service line and applying consistent pressure at the net. Central struggled to find their rhythm as West jumped to an early lead and never looked back, taking the set decisively, 25-12.

The second set saw a more competitive effort from Central, but West maintained control with disciplined defense and efficient offensive execution. A late run sealed the deal as West closed out the match with a 25-17 win.

Coastal served as the work team for this match.

With this convincing win, West continues to assert itself as one of the strong contenders in the tournament, while Central looks to bounce back in knock-out play.

Game 9: Northeast v. Southeast Boys

To start off Sunday, in a high-energy matchup during Game 9 of the boys’ volleyball showcase , Southeast outlasted Northeast in three sets, claiming the victory with scores of 25-14 and 15-9.

Southeast came out dominant in the first set, jumping to an early lead with powerful serving and a fast-paced attack. Northeast had difficulty keeping up with Southeast’s rhythm, and the set ended decisively at 25-14.

Northeast responded in the second set with better communication and stronger defense. They found success with consistent hitting and forced several Southeast errors, pulling away to win 25-19 and tie the match at one set apiece.

In the deciding set, Southeast regained their focus and intensity. They controlled the tempo early and kept Northeast at arm’s length, ultimately finishing the set 15-9 to secure the win.

Coastal served as the work team for this match.

The win boosts Southeast’s morale as they head into knock-out play, while Northeast put up a strong fight in one of the most competitive matches to start the day.

Game 10: West v. Coastal Boys

In the final match of Round Robin play, West closed it out with a strong straight-set win over Coastal, taking the match 25-18 and 25-21.

West set the tone early in the first set with consistent serving and aggressive net play, building a steady lead that Coastal couldn’t overcome. Their balanced attack and defensive hustle led to a 25-18 victory.

The second set was more tightly contested, with Coastal pushing back and keeping the score close. However, West maintained their composure and executed key plays down the stretch to pull away and finish the match 25-21.

Central served as the work team for this final match.

With this win, West wraps up the Round Robin with the 1 seed in knock-out play, while Coastal showed resilience but couldn’t break through against a well-organized West squad.

Game 11: (4) Coastal v. (5) Central Boys

In a tightly contested matchup, Coastal (4) edged out Central (5) in straight sets, winning 25-23 and 25-21.

The first set was a nail-biter, with both teams exchanging leads and battling point for point. Coastal managed to pull ahead in the closing moments, securing the set 25-23 with clutch serving and solid defense.

The second set remained competitive, but Coastal maintained control through consistent attacking and strong teamwork. They closed out the set 25-21 to clinch the match.

The first-seeded West served as the work team.

Coastal’s win strengthened their position as the 4th seed, as they will take on 1-seeded West in the semifinals, while Central fought hard as the 5th seed in a well-matched battle, ending their run in the 2025 Bay State Games Boys’ Volleyball Showcase.

Game 12: (1) West vs (4) Coastal Boys

In the first semi-final game, top-seeded West asserted their dominance with a straight-set victory over 4-seeded Coastal, winning 25-20 and 25-12.

The opening set was competitive, with Coastal putting up a strong fight and trading points early. However, West pulled away in the final stretch behind powerful serving and precise attacking to take the set 25-20.

In the second set, West ramped up the pressure, overwhelming Coastal with aggressive net play and tight defense. Coastal struggled to keep pace as West closed out the match decisively with a 25-12 set.

Central served as the work team for this match.

With this win, West moves on confidently to the finals, while Coastal will look to regroup heading into the bronze match.

Game 13: (2) Southeast vs (3) Northeast

In a thrilling semi-final showdown, second-seeded Southeast edged out third-seeded Northeast in a tight three-set battle, winning 25-23, 19-25, and 15-9.

The first set was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading leads and battling fiercely. Southeast managed to pull ahead late, capitalizing on strong serves and timely kills to take the set 25-23.

Northeast came back strong in the second set, tightening their defense and increasing their offensive consistency. They controlled the pace and secured the set 25-19 to force a decisive third set.

In the final set, Southeast regained momentum and maintained control from the start. With aggressive serving and solid teamwork, they pulled away to close out the set 15-9, clinching the match.

Top-seeded West served as the work team.

Southeast’s victory earns them a spot in the finals against top-seeded West, while Northeast fought hard but fell just short in this hard-fought contest, earning a spot against Coastal in the bronze matchup.

Bronze: (3) Northeast vs (4) Coastal Boys:

In the bronze medal matchup, third-seeded Northeast came out on top in a closely contested two-set battle against fourth-seeded Coastal, winning 25-22 and 28-26.

The first set featured intense rallies and solid defense from both teams, but Northeast managed to pull ahead in the final points, securing the set 25-22.

The second set was even more dramatic, with neither team willing to give an inch. The set extended beyond the standard 25 points, with Northeast ultimately prevailing 28-26 after a thrilling back-and-forth finish.

Southeast (2) served as the work team for the bronze match.

Northeast’s victory earned them the bronze medal, capping off a hard-fought tournament, while Coastal gave a strong effort but fell just short in this intense contest.

Championship: (1) West vs (2) Southeast Boys:

In a thrilling gold matchup, second-seeded Southeast upset top-seeded West in straight sets, winning 25-22 and 25-17 to claim the tournament title.

The first set was tightly contested, with both teams exchanging leads and battling hard. Southeast pulled ahead late behind powerful serves and timely kills, edging out West 25-22 in a nail-biter.

Building on their momentum, Southeast took control of the second set early, showcasing strong defense and aggressive attacking at the net. West struggled to keep pace as Southeast closed out the set 25-17 to secure the championship victory.

Fourth-seeded Coastal served as the work team for the gold match.

Southeast’s impressive win caps off a dominant tournament run and earns them gold, while West fought valiantly but fell just short in the championship match.

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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 .