The Westford Academy Girls Varsity Volleyball team lost to Newton South 0-3 at Westford Academy’s main gym on Oct 12. Newton South won the first set 25-11, the second set 25-20, and the third set 25-21, taking home the victory.

Throughout all three sets, WA missed several serves and spikes, leading to them being routed by Newton South.

“Season after season, as I can remember the past four years, [the team] always loses on the day we have professional development,” Head Coach Brandon Eang said.

WA got off to a hot start by scoring the first two points of the opening set, and junior Catherine Crane’s service ace secured the second point. However, Newton South proceeded to take control of the set, jumping out to a 9-4 lead. The Grey Ghosts tried to stop the Lions’ flow by calling a timeout.

Despite WA’s early timeout, Newton South responded with an 8-4 run, bringing their lead to 17-8. Newton South ended up winning the first set 25-11.

Unlike the first set, WA maintained a tight battle with Newton South, trailing just 13-11 midway through the second set. Newton South extended their lead to 21-12, but senior Jennifer Graffeo then spiked impressively to cut the deficit to 8 points.

The two teams battled hard throughout the whole set, bringing the final score of the second set to 25-20 in Newton South’s favor.

Similar to the second set, the third set started off with the two teams going back and forth early, with Newton South taking an 8-5 lead. Newton South then went on a run, forcing WA to call a timeout when the score was 16-7.

WA then went on a big run. Senior Allison McIntosh’s serve chipped away at Newton South’s lead, bringing it to just 18-16. Ultimately, the third set ended with Newton South winning 25-21.

“[The team’s] head wasn’t in the game, and we knew that going in, […] but unfortunately we couldn’t overcome with these many mistakes. […] We didn’t give us a chance,” Eang said.

WA Girls Varsity Volleyball will play against Wayland High School on Oct 15.