Third Try's a Charm as Lenox Advances to Western Mass Final

EASTHAMPTON, Mass. – The Lenox volleyball put its experience to good use Wednesday in a sweep of Easthampton in the semi-finals of the Western Massachusetts Class C tournament.

 

Charlie Keator had seven kills and four blocks in the 27-25, 25-11, 25-12 win that sends the Millionaires into Saturday’s regional championship game at West Springfield High School.

 

Lenox lost to Easthampton twice in the regular season but was trending in the right direction. After a 3-0 loss in the season opener on the road, the Millionaires lost in four tough sets in the rematch, falling 25-23, in set No. 4.

 

After Tuesday’s quarter-final, Lenox’s Kelsey Kirchner talked about how experience could factor into Round 3.

 

“We’ve lost to them twice, but we know what to expect now,” Kirchner said. “I think we know how we can beat them. We’ve kind of figured out the little nooks and crannies we can get into.

 

“I think tomorrow will be a better game than it usually is.”

 

It certainly was a better result for Lenox (13-7), which has now won seven matches in a row.

 

Hailey Armold had a team-high 11 kills, and Kirchner delivered five kills.

 

Etta Schnackenberg finished with 24 assists, and Anna Nealon pulled up nine digs.

 

The victory could mean another rematch for Lenox. The Millionaires’ title game opponent will be either Franklin Tech or Mount Greylock, who meet on Thursday night in Williamstown. The Mounties won, 3-0, when the teams met in late September.