TAUNTON – The Red Raiders sure know how to turn things around.
On the heels of the program’s first season-opening loss since 2007 to New Bedford earlier this week, the Red Raiders (1-1) received superlative if not record-setting performances from a number of its cadre of net men en route to a 3-1 victory over Taunton High Wednesday afternoon.
Barnstable won the first set, 25-14 and the second set, 25-21, before dropping the third set in a hotly-contested battle, 25-23. The Red Raiders came roaring back in the fourth set, 25-19, for the win.
Red Raider senior setter Harrison West-Mather totaled a career-high and school (boys) record 46 assists in the victory, while adding two kills and two aces.
Senior co-captain Donnie Mach added 17 kills and a pair of aces, while fellow co-captain Scott Sawyer put up an incredible 27 kills to go along with six digs. It was the third highest single-game career kill output for Sawyer.
“We were a little too flat,” first-year head coach Mary Lou Martin said. “But it was a good defensive effort.”
Junior outside hitter Jamie Walsh added 14 digs to the effort.
“He played great defense,” Coach Martin said. “He had a great defensive game.”
Sophomore outside hitter Sanjeev K.C. added seven digs and a pair of aces and Scott McNair, also a sophomore, tacked on eight digs and a pair of aces.
The Red Raiders are back in action Thursday (April 2) on the road against Medfield.
— Sean Walsh is the sports editor for www.capecod.com. His email is [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @coachwalshccbm