By Brad Spiegel
brad.spiegel@waylandpost.org
Following a loss in last year’s Division 3 state semifinals, the natural progression for the 2025 Wayland High School girls volleyball team was to make it to the state championship match.
But the Warriors actually moved up to Division 2, thus making the upward movement that much more difficult.
Consider the progression achieved. And now they are hoping to surpass it with the school’s first state championship in the sport.
Wayland (15-7) punched its ticket to the Division 2 state championship with a dominating 3-0 victory over Longmeadow. It faces top-seeded Oliver Ameas (24-0) on Nov. 15 at 10 a.m. at Billerica High School.
Coach Lisa Tsaur said, surprisingly, that the team experienced a mix of emotions following its latest win.
“I think the team had belief in itself that they could compete and succeed in the (Longmeadow) match,” she explained. “But while we felt confident going in, it no less dampened the impact of its importance.
“In (the same round) a year ago we were eliminated, so we were able to experience it from a different perspective (on Wednesday). There was relief, jubilation, success, and pure joy being in the moment and being successful with each other.”
Senior outside hitter Anna Yalli punctuated the night with a kill to wrap up the 25-18, 28-25, 25-21 triumph.
“We are definitely playing the best volleyball I’ve ever seen us play,” said junior middle hitter Willa Suratt. “I don’t know why we weren’t playing like this the entire season. We are definitely peaking at the right time. It is so exciting and fun to watch and be a part of.”
Tsaur explained that this version of the Warriors, seeded seventh, doesn’t get too high or too low. It has been a recipe for success in the tournament, which has seen wins over second-seeded Duxbury before taking down third-seeded Longmeadow.
“This team is great at resetting and moving forward despite the result of the previous point or match,” Tsaur said. “The resiliency and the ability to put things behind them and not dwell on things and focus and compete in the moment has been amazing.”
The improvement from year to year has been peaking for the past four seasons, following continuous sub-.500 campaigns. In 2022 Wayland hosted its first tournament match. That was followed by advancing to the Division 3 quarterfinals during a 13-9 season, before last year’s semifinal defeat.
But this season has been unmatched. The Warriors are currently enjoying a seven-game winning streak. And early in the season a win over perennial power Newton South – which advanced to the Division 1 semifinals – announced to those in Division 2 that they had arrived.
“I think that being so close as a team has actually been really important to us getting better during the season and into the tournament,” Surratt added. “It has made practices more fun and productive. We love playing together. No one wants it to end.”
“Obviously we want to win but I think everyone is so proud of what we have done as a team. It definitely has been a successful season getting this far.”
Suratt and Yalli have been two of the instrumental players on the team. Yalli has the unique distinction of leading the Warriors in kills, aces, and digs, while also providing great leadership. She is rarely subbed out. Suratt has been asked to take on many responsibilities, including often providing blocks at the net alone, allowing teammates to fill in other gaps.
“Our players work hard in learning every skill beyond what their position demands. I find it to be such an edge for our team,” Tsaur said. “They’ve seen it all and they are all better players and know what to do.”
Regardless of the championship match result, Tsaur hopes the recent success brings out more girls at the youth level. The boys’ team has been a top performer for years and she said it will be nice to be included in that conversation.
“The community has embraced the boys team and now we hope the girls side, too,” she said. “It will be great to be part of a strong volleyball culture in town. I hope this means more kids will try the game.”
Photo courtesy of Lisa Tsaur
