By KEN HAMWEY
Staff Sports Writer
Bob Scumaci took the coaching reins of the Holliston High volleyball team last year two weeks before the season started, making it difficult to build team chemistry quickly and to thoroughly assess his players’ talents and what positions they should play.
That squad, to its credit, compiled a 6-12 record and received a tourney invite that was short-lived. The Panthers bowed to Weston in the first round of the playoffs. However, when Scumaci had ample time preparing the Franklin High freshman girls team for battle in 2021, he guided the Panthers to a 15-0 record.
“This season I knew the players and had time to assess the varsity program to fill the vacancies of our graduated seniors,’’ Scumaci said. “During the summer we opened the gym for training to provide a safe place for workouts and I knew that I had returning players who were kind, smart and hard-working.’’
This year’s team, which had an 11-2 record at Local Town Pages deadline, is in excellent position to not only qualify for the state tourney, but also to receive a high seeding. The Panthers were No. 5 in the Division 3 power rankings at the paper’s deadline.
“Our goals at the start of the season were to win the Tri Valley League’s Large Division, get to the playoffs and go deep,’’ Scumaci said. “Those goals are lofty but also realistic. The girls have shown a desire to win and they all want to have some fun along the way.’’
Whether Holliston can secure the division title remains to be seen but one thing is for sure — the Panthers are a much-improved team.
“What’s made the season a plus is our overall team strengths,’’ Scumaci said. “We had nine girls returning from last year and that’s given us experience and depth. Mental toughness is also an asset. The girls are aggressive and strong-willed. We’re athletic and fast, rely on a strong work ethic and our team chemistry is a huge strength.’’
Another plus is Holliston’s senior captains — Annie Vallatini (middle hitter), Ava Darling (middle hitter), and Emelia Weiseth (setter).
“They all have different leadership styles and they’re all very skilled,’’ Scumaci noted. “Ava leads by example, Annie, who’s in her second year as a captain, has the ability to recruit,  and Emelia leads by example, is vocal and supportive.’’
Scumaci likes what Vallatini and Darling bring to the table as middle hitters. “Annie has a high volleyball IQ, is consistent and very athletic. She’s adept at scoring and serving. Ava hits hard, plays strong and jumps well. She’s athletic, coachable and very upbeat.’’
Weiseth has all the necessary skills to excel as a setter. “Emelia has a high volleyball IQ, too,’’ he said. “A very good all-around player, she’s quick, provides strong hits, has good court sense and great instincts.’’
The Panthers’ other seniors — Vanessa DeSimone (libero) and Lucie Barrie (outside hitter) — are key contributors.
“Vanessa is fast, a great passer whose good hands enable her to hit hard,’’ Scumaci offered. “She’s an athletic player with outstanding volleyball instincts. Lucie has very fine overall skills. She’s a hard hitter, very coachable, and she jumps and blocks very effectively.’’
Juniors Ashley Rokus and Veronika Stasevich are dependable outside hitters. “Ashley is improved and hits hard,’’ Scumaci said. “She can jump and block and has great passion for the game. Veronika can play in the back row. She also loves the game. She hits hard, distributes the ball effectively and is very coachable.’’
Junior Aila Montvelia is a right-side hitter who “can crush the ball,’’ according to Scumaci. “Aila is a very athletic, smart player who’s able to jump and hit hard,’’ he said.
Juniors Isabelle Glenn-Smith and Michaela McGovern are middle hitters who have similar strengths. “Both are great blockers,’’ Scumaci said. “Isabelle is very athletic and hits hard while Michaela can hit and block because she’s so strong.’’
Junior Shea Aldredge adds some versatility to Holliston’s roster, playing defensive specialist or libero. “Shea is fast, has quick hands and hits and passes well,’’ Scumaci noted. “She’s an all-around competitor with a great personality.’’
The Panthers’ two sophomores — Grace Whitten (setter) and Autumn Smith (defensive specialist/libero) — are promising young players with bright futures.
“Grace has good hands, is fast and quick and just a good volleyball player,’’ Scumaci said. “Autumn is really fast and quick, has a great attitude, gets to the ball quickly and is a great passer.’’
Scumaci has very capable assistants in jayvee/varsity assistant Joel Bernstein, freshman coach Beth Smith, and Chris Perry, who’s coaching at the middle school level. “Joel gets the girls ready for varsity competition, Beth teaches her players to love the game and Chris is in a key role at the middle school.’’
Scumaci’s athletic philosophy stresses working hard, reaching one’s potential and having fun. “Winning occurs because our girls are eager to win.,’’ he emphasized.

One life lesson that Scumaci stresses is striving for a strong work ethic that enables players to develop their skills and achieve their goals. “Being good teammates is another lesson that can be learned in athletics,’’ he said.    
The 64-year-old Scumaci is a native of Yonkers, N.Y., where he played football and baseball at Roseville High School. An accounting major at Fordham University in New York, he worked as the chief financial officer for Sepracor of Marlboro, a pharmaceutical company. Now retired and living in Hopkinton, he’s married and the father of two sons and a daughter.
“I coached and studied volleyball at the club level when my daughter played,’’ he said. “After my first year at Franklin, I decided to get involved at the varsity level. I wanted to implement strategies, drill techniques and be a decision-maker.’’
Holliston’s volleyball program should have a positive future with Bob Scumaci at the helm. Holliston Athletic Director Matt Baker thinks so.
“It was great to hire a coach from Franklin, which has one of the top programs in the state,’’ Baker emphasized. “Bob is a student of the game and has a tremendous amount of knowledge.’’