-
2 weeks ago | 
bostonglobe.com | AJ Traub |Alexa Podalsky
Alec Smagula was in the middle of nearly every point for Brookline in the Division 1 state final.Ken McGagh for The Boston GlobeWESTWOOD — A block, then a kill, then another block. It’s hardly a common sequence for a setter, but it’s what Alec Smagula does. In a state championship on the verge of slipping away, the junior, already a three-year captain, changed the course of the match, helping top-seeded Brookline to a 20-25, 27-25, 25-22, 25-15 victory at Xaverian Brothers.
-
1 month ago | 
bostonglobe.com | AJ Traub |Alexa Podalsky
The MIAA boys’ volleyball tournament is underway, and already there are some upsets. With the top teams familiar with each other in both divisions, the last few rounds could be primed for some thrilling battles. The Bay State Conference leads Division 1. Can anyone challenge the top four? Western Mass. powerhouses make up the top pair in Division 2, but will Wayland make a push after last season’s finals appearance? Here’s a preview of the brackets:Favorite: No. 1 Brookline. Sleeper: No. 5 Lexington.
-
1 month ago | 
bostonglobe.com | AJ Traub |Alexa Podalsky
When Ale Luciani laced up his sneakers for his first varsity start, he knew he had bigger shoes to fill than most, but he never missed a step.
-
1 month ago | 
bostonglobe.com | Alexa Podalsky |AJ Traub
The Cardinals, a co-op with players from TechBoston, East Boston, Fenway, and New Mission, are 8-5, including Harvey’s first win over O’Bryant, a 3-1 stunner in April. “I feel like a lot of people underestimate us,” said junior hitter Ivan Tran. “I go to club practices, and people don’t even know who Madison Park is.”Added Harvey: “We’ve definitely been putting in the work. In years past, I’ve had to convince basketball players to play for me.
-
2 months ago | 
bostonglobe.com | Alexa Podalsky |AJ Traub
His quick grasp of his new position has North (7-2) ranked No. 2 in this week’s Globe Top 20 poll. The only losses came in five sets against other top-4 teams. “I’ve been a part of this team for the past four years, and I think we’ve been working harder this season than we have in any of the other ones,” Nelson said.
-
2 months ago | 
bostonglobe.com | AJ Traub |Alexa Podalsky
“When I came in here, the team was extremely separated,” said Kundel, now a junior captain. “[Now], everyone’s a part of the team, everybody’s a full group, a whole family, and that’s what I kind of love.”In the offseason, the 6-foot-3-inch outside hitter made time for team bonding opportunities between football practices and traveling to Taiwan with the Chinese Honor Society by hosting dinners and playing volleyball in the backyard. It turned the program around.
-
Dec 10, 2024 | 
bostonglobe.com | Alexa Podalsky
Boston’s newest sports team has a fresh name inspired by Boston’s contribution to the American Revolution. The Boston Guard will be one of the four inaugural members of the Women’s Lacrosse League, which plans to begin its debut season in February. Launched by the men’s Premier Lacrosse League, the Guard will play alongside the California Palms, the Maryland Charm, and the New York Charging.
-
Dec 7, 2024 | 
bostonglobe.com | Alexa Podalsky
The Bruins seem to have found the missing pieces to this season’s puzzle, and have won three straight and four of their last five. They will look to win the season series against the Flyers on Saturday afternoon at TD Garden after splitting the first two meetings. Philadelphia won, 2-0, on Oct. 29, and Boston countered with a 3-0 win on Nov. 2. Both games were won by the road team. “We talked about getting back to an identity . . . and reaching that again.
-
Dec 4, 2024 | 
bostonglobe.com | Alexa Podalsky
Despite barely missing a spot in the NBA Cup, the Celtics are still on track to beat last season’s 64-win mark. And Wednesday night’s home game against the Pistons represents another chance to keep the train going. Both teams had drastically different performances in their most recent outings. The Celtics are coming off one of their best best defensive performances of the year after holding the Miami Heat to 89 points on Monday.
-
Dec 4, 2024 | 
bostonglobe.com | Alexa Podalsky
Wednesday night’s matchup could bring the Bruins’ win streak to three games for the first time this season as they take on the Blackhawks and their league-worst 18 points. Boston is 5-2 in the seven games since Jim Montgomery was fired on Nov. 19, improving from an 8-9-3 record to begin the season. The team scored 19 goals and allowed 13, ranking 10th and 1st respectively, since their 1-0 win against the Utah Hockey Club that kicked off the Joe Sacco era.
