Nauset Takes Straight Sets Win In Volleyball Thriller With Cape Tech

PLEASANT LAKE – Midway through the third set against Cape Tech on Monday, Nauset senior Molly Archer set a ball up nicely for junior Sophia Quinton.

An outside hitter, Quinton slammed the ball to the back of Cape Tech’s side, putting Nauset up two on the Crusaders. The point was the 250th assist of Archer’s career. As Warrior teammates congregated to celebrate, the pause in the set acted not only as a recognition of the accomplishment but as a chance to take a deep breath during what to that moment had been — and would continue to be — a stimulating match.

Nauset went on to take the win 3-0, but all sets reached a 24-24 deuce (27-25, 26-24, 27-25) — each frame its own mini-epic between two above .500 volleyball teams meeting for the second time this year. Cape Tech won the first match at Nauset 3-1 earlier in September.

All night, Archer set up hitters like Quinton and junior Violet Yingling for attacks. An opposite hitter, Yingling — with a left hand like titanium — drilled 15 kills. Quinton — right hand like steel — had 11.

“It speaks for itself, like they're so good,” Archer said. “Their success is my success and vice versa. I just want to make them execute, and they really do that every single time.”

Archer, who recorded 27 assists and eight digs, said Nauset plays their best in games where the other team can really compete. Though the match was by definition a straight sets sweep for the Warriors, Cape Tech realistically could have won each game. The Crusaders were a point away from taking the first set, came back down 24-21 in the second to force the deuce and led 21-17 in the third. 

“I definitely think playing a good team like that is very helpful for our success, and it really brings our spirits up and makes us the team that we are,” Archer said.

Freshman defensive specialist AJ Davis had eight digs as did senior libero Stella Smith, who also served five aces for Nauset (7-4).

“I think really the energy that the kids brought, the positivity, the never-quit attitude made a huge difference,” head coach Sunny Tyndall said.

Cape Tech (6-4) came into Monday winners in five of their last six matches. For the Crusaders, Gabi DaCosta had 16 digs, Senny Walton had six aces and four kills, Sofia Todoroff had six kills, Gianna Lubash had five blocks, and Juliana Santana had six aces and five kills.

“I think they worked really well together,” head coach Jasmine Goncalo said. “I think they came back from being down multiple times, and they kept their energy up on the court. I just think that sometimes they get stuck in their heads, and it kind of takes over on the court.”

The 250-assist mark reached by Archer means a lot not only to her, of course, but to the Nauset volleyball program, according to Tyndall. Archer wasn’t a starter last year — in fact she only played in a couple games, Tyndall said.

Archer said she’d never thought last year she’d get to this point.

“Assists mean I'm making my team succeed, so that's the best feeling, is success of my teammates and my hitters,” she said.