By KEN HAMWEY

Staff Sports Writer

The Holliston High girls volleyball team and its first-year coach set some very interesting goals at the start of the season — objectives that did not specifically mention playoff hopes or tournament seedings.

Bob Scumaci, who was hired a week before pre-season practice began in August, didn’t have much time to settle into his role, but he and his players quickly formulated what their priorities were for the 2022 campaign. Their list was a grassroots approach to competing.

“We came up with seven goals,’’ said Scumaci, who coached Franklin High’s freshman girls to a 15-0 record last year. “We emphasized playing as a team, playing with humility,  integrity and respect for our opponents, embracing challenges, improving throughout the season, advancing the players’ knowledge of the game, working hard every day, and winning more matches than last year.’’

At Local Town Pages deadline, the Panthers, who play in the challenging Tri Valley League’s Large Division, had a 3-8 record but could still be in line for a playoff berth because of the tourney process that gives weight to strength of schedule and margin of victory/defeat.

“We won’t reach the goal to surpass last year’s regular season win total of 11 but the girls play hard every game,’’ said Scumaci, who’s coaching experience has been as a club team assistant/volunteer and his one year at Franklin.

The Panthers’ team strengths, however, have played a role in achieving many of their goals. “Our strengths are a good volleyball IQ, technical skills, athleticism, a strong work ethic, depth and experience,’’ Scumaci noted. “We’ve got depth because our players are willing to be versatile and to assume responsibility and we’ve got experience because all of the girls have played at the club level.’’

Holliston’s captains — seniors Mia Quinzani (middle hitter) and Lauren Neville (setter) and junior Annie Vallatini (middle hitter) — possess most of the strengths listed by Scumaci. And, they all lead by example and by being communicative.

“Mia is an excellent hitter and blocker,’’ Scumaci said. “And, she’s the hardest worker on the team. She relies on effort and strives every day to do everything the right way. Lauren sets the ball with grace and finesse. She’s an instinctive player whose serving is excellent and she gets lots of assists. Annie is versatile, able to play any position. A smart player, she competes with character and is always willing to help in any way.’’

Three juniors who play key roles are Vanessa DeSimone (libero), Lucie Barre (outside hitter) and Emelia Weiseth (setter, right-side hitter).

“Vanessa is fearless,’’ Scumaci offered. “She’s willing to jump over a table to get to a ball. She plays with great effort and determination. Lucie is a hard hitter who aims to excel every day. She’s an excellent blocker and hitter. Emelia is versatile. She’s a smart player who hits hard and relies on excellent instincts.’’

Two other juniors who contribute consistently are Brooke Reiss (libero) and Ava Darling (middle, right-side hitter). “Brooke is always trying to improve,’’ Scumaci said. “A hard-worker, she’s a good passer and serves consistently. Ava is one of the best athletes on the team. An intelligent player, she’s very effective hitting and blocking.’’

Sophomore Veronika Stasevich has carved out a role as an outside hitter. “Veronika does her job in a humble way,’’ Scumaci noted. “She hits hard, is a great server and her passing is phenomenal.’’

Four reserves who no doubt will be prime contributors in the future are juniors Julia Quatromoni (outside, right-side hitter) and Isabelle Glenn-Smith (middle, outside hitter) and sophomores Ashley Rokus (middle hitter) and Aila Montvila (setter, right-side hitter).

“These players are essential to the success of our team,’’ Scumaci emphasized. “They’ve got ability, they work hard in practice and they’ll be ready when needed.’’

The 63-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 last season, I decided to get involved at the varsity level. I wanted to implement strategies, drill techniques and be a decision-maker.’’

The decisions Scumaci made as coach of Franklin’s freshmen resulted in a 15-0 record. And, his style and approach at Holliston have made his transition to varsity status enjoyable for him and his team. “It’s important to mention my assistants,’’ he said. “Beth Smith is our freshman coach and Joel Bernstein works with the jayvees. Both are outstanding and are assets for the program.’’

Scumaci has a down-to-earth philosophy of coaching. “As long as the girls are playing hard, working as a team and being respectful, I’ll always be pleased,’’ he said. “If those things are occurring, then winning usually is the by-product.’’

 

Scumaci also is pleased when his players learn valuable life lessons while competing. “Sports can teach players the value of a strong work ethic, how to win with humility, how to be good teammates and how to be resilient when dealing with challenges,’’ he noted.

Holliston’s volleyball program should have a positive future with Bob Scumaci at the helm. One key administrator, Holliston Athletic Director Matt Baker, thinks so. 

“It was great to hire a coach from Franklin that 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, which enabled him to hit the ground running.

“We’ve been very competitive the last few seasons and the volleyball program is going to continue its upward trend with Bob in charge. Our teams have made the tournament three years in a row and last year won its first two tourney games. I would expect the team to be in the hunt for another berth after playing in the competitive TVL, one of the best leagues in the state.’’