![Wayland Historical Society Executive Director Scarlett Hoey explains the history of the Cochituate Gatehouse.
"The exterior is still a nice monument to remember buildings [involved in] water history," Hoey said. "We all drink lots of water, and it's such an important resource that we kind of take for granted nowadays."](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/IMG_2024-1200x800.jpg)
On Saturday, May 30, the boy’s varsity volleyball team won their first playoff game at home in a 3-0 sweep against Pioneer Charter School of Science.
Wayland has dominated this past season with an 19-2 record, and currently holds the highest rank in the state.
While the win may sound like it came easily, with Wayland sweeping the first three sets, the team did not play their usual lineup, which switched up the game.
“We wanted to rest some of our starters because we’ve had a really hard schedule,” varsity player and junior Mason Lee said. “Obviously it wasn’t our starting lineup, but everybody on our bench is very high level.”
Some of the usual starters were put into new positions, challenging them to show off their versatility as players. Even with the scrambled lineup, bench players and starters alike pulled through and proved their determination lay not with their usual positions, but with their team culture and their love for the game.
“It was very exciting to see some of the younger kids step up and play and be really dominant,” parent and girls varsity volleyball coach Angela Zachary said. “This team obviously has a no-quit spirit, they don’t get nervous when it’s a close score, and they really believe in each other and play together.”
In the first set, Wayland dominated with their height and consistent blocking. Morale from fans contributed to the spirit in the field house, with spectators clapping, cheering and stomping to show their support for the players. Even with a significant delay presented by a substitution error, Wayland reflected the positive spirit on the court and maintained a five point lead, eventually winning the set 25-19.
The positive spirit Wayland brought to the game is a result of deep focus on team bonding and balancing fun with hard work, according to varsity coach Philip George.
“We talk about the balance between fun and focus a lot,” George said. “When you’re playing your best, you’re usually feeling kind of lighthearted.”
The team develops their chemistry both on and off the court, focusing not only on a physical, in-game bond but also an intellectual one.
“We have Socratic seminars, because we actually read a book together, and we talk about team culture,” Lee said. “We maximize every single part of our team to make sure we actually achieve our goal of getting to the state finals.”
The lighthearted spirit continued into the second set, where Wayland began on a strong note, keeping a consistent lead. Pioneer could not keep a scoring run, and Wayland immediately regained any lost points with outside kills from junior Aidan Curry, aimed at the back corner. The level of play consistently stayed high even with different players on the court.
“We had a lot of people who don’t have the opportunity to play a lot during the regular season make great contributions,” George said. “What I was most proud of is that they kept the level of play really high, we had our entire bench play, and they played good Wayland volleyball.”
Junior Carlos Villatoro put on an especially impressive show with right side kills that contributed to Wayland securing a six point lead in the first half of the second set. The energy remained high as fans were fueled by consistent kills.
“[Villatoro] has grown exponentially, and he’s a good representation of a lot of the players,” George said.
Because of the modified lineup, Wayland’s defense had some challenges, however, the team did not appear discouraged and stayed as aggressive as possible, cheering for each other after each achievement and mistake.
“I think we all did a good job on and off the court of being excited for each other’s successes,” varsity player and junior Zach O’Donnell said. “Being there for the highs and lows, I think we did a good job of that.”
The set ended with a kick save from Villatoro, leading to Lee spiking the back corner. Pioneer could not return the hit, and the set ended 25-16.
Energy appeared higher than ever in the final set, and George encouraged players to remain focused but to also keep the lighthearted attitude in mind. Multiple aces combined with many errors from the waning Pioneer team led to a quick 20-7 lead.
Junior Brennan Smith took the following serve, and the end seemed near. Morale in the stands appeared to lower as Wayland shifted to the defensive following some serving and hitting errors. Finally, game point was reached, 24-11. A tip from junior Eli McHugh to the back right corner was the cherry on top, and the set ended 25-11, securing Wayland’s first win of the playoffs.
After the game, George was satisfied with the way players handled their professionalism combined with their lightheartedness.
“I felt like today they really struck that balance,” George said. “They were professional and locked in when they were playing, but positively supporting each other and enjoying the moment.”
Though excited by the solid win, players are keeping their eyes on the prize, enthusiastic to remain in the competition.
“I’m just looking forward to some great competition,” O’Donnell said. “There will be some games that will probably be neck and neck, and those are the moments we live for.”
