Sports
Wayland boys volleyball seniors built community and a powerhouse
Agawam boys volleyball celebrates winning D2 state title over Wayland Agawam exacted its revenge for a loss last season, defeating Wayland in four sets to claim their 2nd D2 state championship in the last three years. Wayland High School boys volleyball lost in the Division 2 state championship for the second year in a row. […]
Agawam boys volleyball celebrates winning D2 state title over Wayland
Agawam exacted its revenge for a loss last season, defeating Wayland in four sets to claim their 2nd D2 state championship in the last three years.
- Wayland High School boys volleyball lost in the Division 2 state championship for the second year in a row.
- The team’s three graduating seniors helped build the program into a consistent contender.
- Despite the loss, the team is optimistic about the future with many returning players.
SHREWSBURY – Wayland’s group of three seniors joined the boys volleyball program with a freshman class of six players. Half left.
The ones that stayed – Liam Frenzel, Cooper Szeremeta and Zachary Thoen – finished their careers with two appearances in the Division 2 state championship game. They won the Dual County League title outright for the first time this spring.
“They’ve ushered in the most successful era we’ve had in our program’s history,” Wayland coach Phil George said.
The Warriors fell 3-1 against top-seeded Agawam on Thursday after losing in five sets a year ago against Westfield. Wayland led early in the first set before Agawam closed stronger and never gave up a lead in Set 2. The Warriors just couldn’t recover from a 7-1 hole early in a pivotal third set.
After receiving their runners up medals, the Warriors embraced each other and George, cherishing their final moments as a team.
“It’s beyond our playing, it’s the community we’ve made with all of these guys,” Szeremeta said. “I love this team, and that’s why we pays hard. Even more than our skill, it helps us so much more to love everybody else on the floor and grind every single day.”
They drive to get Pokemon cards together. Nearly every member of the team sported a new haircut or dye job for the playoff run, highlighted by star junior Finn Bell’s neon pink buzz cut.
That camaraderie developed slowly over early exits their first few postseason trips. Then the light bulb went off. More players became involved in club volleyball. The Warriors added larger and larger freshman classes that allowed for depth and flexibility.
“So many of them have committed to grow their game during the offseason, and that’s helped us develop,” George said.
Szeremeta has been a stalwart front row player for the Warriors for four years. Though he only stands 5-foot-9, the opposite hitter generates height and power that takes opponents by surprise.
“He can absolutely crush a ball,” George said.
Frenzel put on the white libero jersey as a back row exclusive defensive player for the past two years. He can also play in the front row and set earlier in the set.
“Just a diverse, talented player,” George said.
Thoen hasn’t started but brings positivity and energy off the bench.
“They’ve been fantastic players on the court and leaders off of it,” George said.
While the senior class has helped usher in this new era of Wayland volleyball, they are leaving plenty in the tank to continue it. The Warriors will bring back 14 players from the state final roster. They started freshman Alex Pearlman.
“I am, you know, really disciplined about that conclusion of this season, but I’m very excited for the program’s future,” George said.
Contact Kyle Grabowski at kgrabowski@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @kylegrbwsk.