A Season to Celebrate

WORCESTER – The Doherty Memorial High School girls’ volleyball team had a fantastic season. However, the Highlanders, who finished 16-1, including a 12-game win streak to start the fall schedule, found themselves down to number one ranked Westborough during the CMADA Division 1 quarterfinals game last week.

Doherty trailed two-games-to-none and 14-8 in the third, but the team that finished first and undefeated (7-0) in the Inter-High Conference was not about to go down quietly. Behind the strong serving of junior Angela Gonzales, the Highlanders pushed back with three straight points to get back in the game. The run forced the scrambling Rangers to call a timeout to get reorganized.

The Highlanders came out of the time out with new vigor, but Westborough, the 16-0 Midland Wachusett A champs proved too much in the end as the Rangers closed out the game (25-13) and match (3-0). “Our team fought hard and I’m proud of them,” said Doherty head coach Madisen Roy following the game. “Westborough is a talented team.”

Once they shake off the disappointment of dropping only their second game of the year, Doherty has a lot to be proud about this season. They won a lot of games and they had a good time doing it. Roy said, from working with these groups of girls, she is now a better coach as a result.

“Overall, the team has been a pleasure coaching,” she said reflecting back on the season. “The girls are talented young women and have helped me grow as a coach. I am grateful for all the players being committed and the parents as well.”

Sadly, Roy has to say goodbye to her three seniors, team captain Isabella Piskator, Maeve LaGorce, and Melina Bezati. “Isabella

Doherty_s senior leadership-Maeve LaGorce, Isabella Piskator, and Melina Bezati. Photo by Kevin Paul Saleeba

Piskotor brought positivity, for sure, to this team,” she said. “She’s a very flexible person and she became our senior captain and really led the girls this season to the record we did have … Melina Bezati brought a burst of energy and a great skillset to our team. She never missed a day. She was always here and did everything well … Maeve LaGorce, she is …” Roy paused as if the moment began to hit her about no longer coaching her seniors again. “I don’t even know how to describe her. She’s awesome. She’s one of the most bubbly personalities I have ever met. She’s nice to everyone and she’s actually one of my most improved players since freshman year …

“As we move forward, we will miss our seniors,” she said. “Whether these girls meet again or not, they all have had a positive impact on Doherty’s volleyball program and will always be appreciated.”

As the seniors pass the torch to the next generation of Doherty volleyball players, Roy said the team will build on what the 2021 squad has accomplished. “I do think there is a bright future for Doherty’s girls’ volleyball,” she said. “All the girls are committed to the team as well as the sport.”

Roy named several future leaders for the 2022 Doherty team, including juniors Kate McCarthy, Sophia Guerra, Julia Prendergast and Angelina Gonzales. “Kate is an amazing team player and always offers to help in any way she can and has a killer arm,” she said. “Sophia is a spark of energy from playing outside hitter to setter. She is very flexible and an awesome captain. Lastly, Angelina Gonzales and Julia Prendergast are the twin towers who are very good at protecting our side of the court, as well as being awesome leaders in the front row. They know how to take control of the court.”

Additionally, Roy said Gonzales has truly blossomed as a leader this season. “The one girl I would say who had stepped-up would-be Angelina Gonzales. She’s a soft-spoken junior but has improved tremendously and helps the team in many ways. She will be an awesome senior leader next year.”

Two of Roy’s sophomores also made an impact this season and Roy expects them to continue to grow in 2022. “Emma Delia and Angela Dhima,” she said. “These sophomores have stepped up this 2021 season and have brought a lot to the team. Emma never lets anything drop as our Liberian and Angela is an assertive setter that doesn’t give up. Both underclassmen have shown to be part of a bright future for Doherty girls volleyball and I am excited to see them grow!”