March 29, 2024

Huge Win for Dighton-Rehoboth Volleyball Team

Volleyball: D-R 3, Wareham 1

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REHOBOTH - Dighton-Rehoboth Senior Captain Amy Nickerson dribbled the ball a few times from the service line, lofted it into the air and struck it solidly. The ball was hit on a line toward the left side of the Wareham defense, hitting the hardwood of the Dighton-Rehoboth gymnasium between the front and back rows.

A loud cheer erupted from the crowd and the players on the bench and Falcons’ JV team rushed the court to celebrate the volleyball team’s first win in two seasons, 3-1, over Wareham Thursday evening.

“I’m so excited for the players,” D-R coach Lisa Rauer said after the game with a big smile on her face. “I’ve been coaching for 18 years and I’ve never seen a team that gives so much in practice. They’re the most conditioned, well-rounded volleyball players I’ve been around. They’re good in school and they’re good on the court. I’m so proud of them.”

The big victory didn’t come easy as the Vikings came to play from the get-go, winning the thrilling first game 30-28. The Falcons trailed early in the game, 5-1, but battled back to take an 8-6 lead before Wareham ripped off seven straight to take a 13-8 lead. The teams went back and forth with the Falcons serving for the game three times but being unable to convert. Wareham senior captain Bella Valatkevicz notched a serving ace to seal the game and give the Vikings and early 1-0 in the match.

The Falcons took the second set 25-22 after trailing 5-0 early in a back-and-forth set that was close throughout. Nickerson served the first five D-R points in Game 3 and had a run of seven straight points from the service line late in the game as the Falcons took the third set 25-11, putting them one set away from victory.

“I feel like we really came alive in that fourth game,” Rauer said. “We got our confidence up and they came out and played great.”


D-R took a commanding 15-2 lead in the fourth game. The Falcons played solid from there on out as Nickerson’s ace sealed the fourth set, 25-9, and sent the Falcons home with a victory.

“I really hope this turns things around for them,” Rauer said of the players. “I hope this win will help them get their confidence up. They need to realize how good they are.”

REPORTERTODAY.COM MVP: Senior captain Vanessa Costa served eight straight points in the deciding Game 4 and added 11 assists on the night. “She’s come a long way,” Rauer said. “The setter doesn’t get all the glory but she’s done a really good job setting up the rest of the hitters to make them look great.”

BIG SERVES: Junior Gabby Cifala was solid from the serving line throughout the night, finishing with six aces and adding 11 digs. “Gabby was awesome out there,” Rauer said. “She had some good serves but also plays well in the back row. She’s only junior so we’re excited to see how she improves.”

WAREHAM COACH BEN KAETERLE: “We came out strong in the first set but I think the last two sets, D-R picked up the defense and the serving to keep us off balance.”

CAPTAIN LEADING THE CHARGE: Nickerson had big moments at the net, from the serving line and on defense to help the Falcons notch the victory. She finished with four aces, 20 digs and three kills. “She had some good serves and her outside hitting is really coming along, but the back row is where she shines,” Rauer said.

WAREHAM STATS: Libero Margherita Pedrelli collected 23 digs and added eight service points. Valatkevicz also finished with 23 digs. Junior setter Madison Boutin had 12 assists and seven kills. Senior Leila Foote had eight service points.

YOUNG FALCONS SOAR: The Dighton-Rehoboth junior varsity team won its best-of-three match in straight sets, 25-16 and 25-13. Lauren Kerwin served the last seven points of the match to seal the win.

LOOSE ENDS: Freshman Kianna Reuter made her varsity debut for the Falcons and collected four kills. Rauer said she had a “good night.” … Jordan Soufy, Michaela Healy, Skylar Botelho and Emily Marcotte also played well for the Falcons. … The Vikings battled but couldn’t come up with their first win of the season “The girls showed some improvement from the last couple of games,” Kaeterle said, adding that the Vikings are going to work on serve receive and communication going forward.

UP NEXT: Dighton-Rehoboth (1-4) has two tough road games next week with matches at Somerset Berkley on Monday and Fairhaven on Wednesday.

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