4 unbeaten groups occupy the upper seeds within the MIAA fall volleyball state match brackets, with Chelmsford on the prime in Div. 1.
The Lions (20-0) have clinched the Merrimack Valley Convention Giant title. Led by Kyra Ward, Bonnie Politzer and Ellen Griswold, they defeated numerous contenders in Andover (twice), Billerica (twice), Central Catholic (twice), Wellesley (twice) and Westford Academy (twice).
No. 2 seed Newton North (18-2), searching for a fourth consecutive title, is fueled offensively by All-Scholastic setter Sasha Selivan. The Tigers took down Bishop Feehan, Brookline, Natick, Needham (twice), Wellesley (twice) and Winchester, falling solely in away matches in opposition to Brookline and Natick. Shrewsbury, Brookline, Franklin, Winchester, Attleboro and Needham shouldn’t be missed both.
Thrilling early matches to be careful for are No. 8 Brookline vs. No. 25 Brockton, No. 13 Bishop Feehan vs. No. 20 Hopkinton, a No. 12 Lincoln-Sudbury vs. No. 21 Acton-Boxboro in a Twin County League conflict, No. 14 Wellesley vs. No. 19 Wachusett and No. 11 Westborough vs. No. 22 Lowell.
Div. 2 showcases undefeated Oliver Ames and Duxbury. Setter Lyla McDonough, exterior hitter Chelsea Wagner, reverse hitter Taylor Donohoe and libero Molly Milliken are standouts for Oliver Ames. Longmeadow, Minnechaug, King Philip, Marblehead, Wayland, Wakefield, Canton, Billerica and Burlington are able to making noise as effectively.
Fascinating preliminary spherical and first-round matchups embody No. 16 Hingham vs. No. 17 Melrose, the Higher Boston League’s No. 29 Somerville vs. No. 36 Revere, the Tri-Valley League’s No. 15 Ashland vs. No. 18 Holliston and No. 10 Billerica vs. No. 23 Dartmouth.
Tri-Valley League foes Bellingham (17-2) and defending champion Medfield (16-4) are set to battle for the Div. 3 crown, however don’t rely out Case, Lynnfield, Previous Rochester and Hanover. No. 15 Arlington Catholic vs. No. 18 Fairhaven could be a detailed first-round contest.
Bourne (16-3) is poised to make a deep run in Div. 4, and outdoors/center hitter Nola Timo, setter/reverse hitter Sofia Halunen and Lily Russell will lead the cost. Nonetheless, the street to glory gained’t be simple, with East Bridgewater, Carver and Rockland posing threats from the South Shore League. Nipmuc and Higher Lawrence may also be robust outs.
No. 12 Mt. Greylock vs. No. 21 Wareham, No. 13 Lynn Tech vs. No. 20 Mystic Valley and No. 16 South Shore Voke vs. No. 17 Hamilton-Wenham may current appetizing preliminary contests.
The higher seeds in Div. 5 are crammed largely by groups from Central and Western Mass. Hopedale (14-6) is the No. 1 seed, having knocked off Whitinsville Christian and Nipmuc throughout its marketing campaign. Madison Park (17-0), Pioneer Valley Christian, Lenox and Whitinsville Christian spherical out the remainder of the highest 5.
No. 11 Lee vs. No. 22 Greenfield, No. 13 Franklin County Tech vs. No. 20 Holbrook and No. 14 Turners Falls vs. No. 19 Avon could also be fascinating early matchups.
