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Digging dozen: 12 MetroWest and Milford boys volleyball players to watch in 2024

kyle grabowski, the metrowest daily news
·3 min read

The golden generation is ready for its last ride.

There are 10 returning Daily News All-Stars, including nine seniors.

Milford raised a Division 2 Final Four trophy, while Natick reached the Division 1 quarterfinals. There were eight local programs that made the postseason a year ago.

Finnian Bell, So., Wayland

The 6-foot-2 outside hitter was named a Dual County League all-star as a sophomore. He reached double-digit kills in 14 games last season, including a season-high 22 against North Quincy late in the regular season.

Branch Barnes, Jr., Natick

The versatile setter/opposite hitter was named a captain as a sophomore and led the Redhawks to the Division 1 state quarterfinals. He was a Massachusetts Volleyball Coaches Association Central honorable mention selection and a Bay State Conference all-star. Barnes registered 250 assists, 40 blocks and 25 aces while hitting 85 percent of his serves.

Owen Callahan, Sr., Milford

He adjusted to the sport of volleyball seamlessly last season, leading the Scarlet Hawks to the Division 2 state semifinals. Callahan distributed 780 assists and contributed 124 digs, 27 kills, 21 blocks and 14 aces.

Milford’s Owen Callahan sets the ball during the Round of 16 playoff game against Wayland at Milford High School on Jun. 07, 2023.
Milford’s Owen Callahan sets the ball during the Round of 16 playoff game against Wayland at Milford High School on Jun. 07, 2023.

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Kieran Fagan, Sr., Lincoln-Sudbury

He was the Warriors MVP last season and led L-S to the Division 1 Round of 16. Fagan was a Dual County League all-conference selection and a MAVCA honorable mention pick. He led L-S in kills kills (247), digs (239) and aces (31).

Milford’s Ryan Franklin goes up for the kill during the Round of 16 playoff game against Wayland at Milford High School on Jun. 07, 2023.
Milford’s Ryan Franklin goes up for the kill during the Round of 16 playoff game against Wayland at Milford High School on Jun. 07, 2023.

Ryan Franklin, Sr., Milford

He was the squad's rookie of the year last spring after leading the Scarlet hawks with 50 blocks. Franklin also put down 123 kills en route to a Division 2 state semifinal berth.

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Milford’s Arthur Gomes goes up for the kill during the Round of 16 playoff game against Wayland at Milford High School on Jun. 07, 2023.
Milford’s Arthur Gomes goes up for the kill during the Round of 16 playoff game against Wayland at Milford High School on Jun. 07, 2023.

Arthur Gomes, Sr., Milford

He was a MAVCA all-star and Central all-district selection last year. The outside hitter and libero pulled up 282 digs with 1128 kills and 30 aces. Milford reached the Division 2 state semifinals.

Milford High School volleyball junior captain Alex Guerra on the first day of Spring sports practice, March 20, 2023.
Milford High School volleyball junior captain Alex Guerra on the first day of Spring sports practice, March 20, 2023.

Alex Guerra, Sr., Milford

The Scarlet Hawks' MVP for a second consecutive season led them back to the state semifinals. Guerra was a six rotation player and accumulated 500 kills, 343 digs, 42 blocks and 69 aces. He was the only area representative on the MAVCA All-State team. Guerra also plays for SMASH Volleyball.

Tim Kearney, Sr., Lincoln-Sudbury

The setter was a Dual-County all-star a season ago in leading the Warriors to the Division 1 Sweet 16.

Wayland High School sophomore Joseph Kelly at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, April 8, 2022.
Wayland High School sophomore Joseph Kelly at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, April 8, 2022.

Joseph Kelly, Sr., Wayland

The opposite/outside hitter was both a DCL all-star and MAVCA All-Central District pick. He put away 228 kills with 197 digs and 26 blocks for the Warriors, who reached the Division 2 Round of 16.

Natick High School volleyball players, including from left, sophomore captain Harrison Landry, senior captain Kendall Jackson, sophomore Matthew Salerno, and junior Thomas Sweeney, right, celebrate winning a set against Milford, May 2, 2022.
Natick High School volleyball players, including from left, sophomore captain Harrison Landry, senior captain Kendall Jackson, sophomore Matthew Salerno, and junior Thomas Sweeney, right, celebrate winning a set against Milford, May 2, 2022.

Harrison Landry, Sr., Natick

One of the state's best setters guided the Redhawks to the Division 1 quarterfinals. He was a MAVCA All-Central selection and has been named a Bay State Conference All-Star each of the past two seasons. He pushed out 400 assists last spring with 75 kills, 20 blocks and 20 aces.

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Zach Mantegani, Sr., Bellingham

The versatile opposite hitter led the Blackhawks with 255 digs and was named a TVL all-star for the second year in a row. He also put down 126 kills with 134 assists and 43 aces. Mantegani was in the league's top five in all of those categories.

Matt Salerno, Sr., Natick

He put down 225 kills with 35 aces and 20 solo blocks on a path to the Division 1 quarterfinals last spring. The former football player was both a Bay State Conference and MAVCA all-star in 2023.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: 12 MetroWest and milford area boys volleyball players to watch in 2024