By Chris Wilson, Contributing Writer
Region – Week three of the Fall II high school sports season brought difficult reminders of the still looming COVID-19 pandemic. As a handful of area schools had to cancel games due to virus protocols, though, there was still a busy slate of volleyball and football action.
The Algonquin High School volleyball squad extended its season record to 6-0 with two wins over Shrewsbury. A number of team members had their families in attendance for Senior Night at the second of those two games April 1.
“The seniors seemed very happy to celebrate their volleyball careers with the parents in attendance,” Algonquin Head Coach Janice Henningson told the Community Advocate. “Getting a win over one of our big rivals made it even more special.”
Marked by varying types of ceremonies, Senior Night games usually feature homemade decorations, signs and gifts from booster clubs and younger players. They often take place at a team’s last home game of its season. This year, though, many local schools and teams are breaking from scheduling tradition.
“We had senior night early at the suggestion of our athletic director just in case something happened and we aren’t able to finish the season,” Henningson said.
In Westborough, the Rangers volleyball team also extended its undefeated record to 6-0 with a pair of wins against Nashoba Regional High School.
Grafton volleyball continued the regional momentum with its own perfect week against Southbridge.
In football action, Hudson lost its game against Maynard by a 7-6 margin April 3 following a failed two-point conversion late in the game.
“Tough defensive effort all day long by the Hawks,” Hudson Athletic Director Jessica Winders tweeted. “…Great game.”
This was Hudson’s home opener in an atypical season played away from its historic Morgan Bowl stadium. The Hawks are actually playing on rival turf this year at Marlborough’s Whitcomb Middle School due to COVID-19.
In other football action, Shrewsbury held on against Leominster with a 14-12 victory on Friday night while Marlborough lost 29-21 in a double overtime thriller against Tantasqua.
Algonquin football continued a tough start to the year, sliding to 0-3 with a loss Shepherd Hill.
Grafton, meanwhile, dropped a 15-7 decision to Fitchburg a week after shutting out North Middlesex, 48-0.
See individual game by game scores from a week of action…
ALGONQUIN
VOLLEYBALL – MARCH 30
Algonquin – 3, Shrewsbury – 1
VOLLEYBALL – APRIL 1
Algonquin – 3, Shrewsbury – 0
FOOTBALL – APRIL 2
Algonquin – 14, Shepherd Hill – 41
GRAFTON
VOLLEYBALL – MARCH 30
Grafton – 3, Southbridge – 0
VOLLEYBALL – APRIL 1
Grafton – 3, Southbridge – 0
FOOTBALL – APRIL 2
Grafton – 7, Fitchburg – 15
HUDSON
VOLLEYBALL – MARCH 29
Hudson – 3, Fitchburg – 0
FOOTBALL – APRIL 3
Hudson – 6, Maynard – 7
MARLBOROUGH
VOLLEYBALL – MARCH 30
Marlborough – 0, Wachusett – 3
FOOTBALL – APRIL 2
Marlborough – 21, Tantasqua – 29
SHREWSBURY
VOLLEYBALL – MARCH 30
Shrewsbury – 1, Algonquin – 3
VOLLEYBALL – APRIL 1
Shrewsbury – 0, Algonquin – 3
FOOTBALL – APRIL 2
Shrewsbury – 14, Leominster – 12
WESTBOROUGH
VOLLEYBALL – MARCH 30
Westborough – 3, Nashoba – 1
VOLLEYBALL – APRIL 1
Westborough – 3, Nashoba – 0
