TEWKSBURY – The Hudson High School volleyball team fell in the MIAA Division 4 semi-finals against Ipswich on Nov. 14 3-1.
After Ipswich took the first and second sets 25-15 and 25-22 respectively, the Hawks rallied in the third and beat the Tigers 25-23. Ultimately, Ipswich took the fourth set 25-22, clinching their win.
“I told my girls before the game started that win or lose, it doesn’t matter – that we’ve had a successful season,” said Hudson Head Coach Bobbi-Jo Trodella.
The team made program history by being the first team to make the semi-finals.
“This is the first time we’ve ever been here in final four,” Trodella said.
She said she believed nerves got the best of the players a bit in the beginning of the game.
“By the time they settled in, it might have been a little too late,” Trodella said. “But, honestly, they’ve had a great season. As a coach, you can’t ask for anything more than that. They played with heart. They gave drive. They gave it their all today. They’ve had a good game. As a coach, that’s all you ask for, and I hope they had fun.”
Hudson will graduate five seniors from the program – Addison Murphy, Gillian Woodcome, Kelsie Figueriedo, Lauren Shurling and Allyson Cassidy.
Shurling, who is a captain, is an MVP for the league and was placed on the all-state team.
“I’m going to miss her. She’s tremendous on the court, off the court. She’s a great leader,” Trodella said. “All my seniors are. I’m going to miss them all.”
Ipswich will now move onto the state finals against the No. 2 seed Bellingham. The teams will face off at Worcester State on Nov. 18.
