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Volleyball notebook: Is drought over for New Bedford boys?

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Volleyball notebook: Is drought over for New Bedford boys?


Hanging on the wall in the New Bedford gymnasium is a cloth monument of what once ruled boys volleyball in Massachusetts for a decade.

One banner is for the 1989 Div. 2 state championship the Whalers won when the sport was still young in the state. Another shows the pure dominance that followed, with seven state championships and two three-peats between 1991 and 1999.

The color and print of neither banner is flashy, maybe an indication of just how long ago the era they represent ended. Perhaps even louder, though, is the blank space next to “1999” where one more year would fit – one New Bedford hasn’t been able to win in the 24 years since its last state title.

But now in the 25th year of the hiatus, the Whalers (12-0) are the last unbeaten team left in Div. 1 and are as motivated as ever to add their mark to the program’s lore.

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“I know Needham’s been that team, and the Newton Norths, Naticks, and all those teams have had their runs and dominated,” said head coach Ben Kaeterle. “But we always tell the kids there’s one spot on the banner that we want them to fill.”

“I mean, we have almost the entirety of the 90s (up there), state championship after state championship,” added senior captain Carter Barbosa, who’s attending Harvard next year. “We’re really trying to fill that banner and we believe that this is the closest we’ve ever been to be able to do that.”

Barbosa, a third-year starting setter, orchestrates a well-balanced attack that’s gradually improved. Junior Davon Centeio has played well at libero. Moving junior Nick Rosa to right-side bolstered the team’s blocking, and overpowering outside hitter Juan Grau Montano – a 6-foot-3 sophomore transfer from Colombia – has been a game-changer.

The result, alongside many other contributions, is the program’s longest unbeaten start since 2007. Strength of schedule rating limits New Bedford to No. 10 spot in the latest MIAA Div. 1 power rankings, but two wins over North Quincy and another over rival Greater New Bedford are notable.

“Our preseason goal was to go undefeated (and) at first I thought, ‘Wow, we’re being a little ambitious,’” Barbosa said. “Now that we’re (12-0), it’s obviously not as far-fetched as I had thought. … Every single individual, the way we click, our chemistry – it’s just, we’re on fire. And I don’t think that’s going to stop anytime soon.”

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There are still hurdles to overcome in terms of a state championship, without much to show how the Whalers stack up to the state’s other powers. But New Bedford is used to leaping over hurdles.

When Kaeterle took over in 2017, it had already been six years since New Bedford last advanced past the first round in playoffs. Players set the goal of winning a state title, but rarely won in a tumultuous season. The Whalers didn’t make the playoffs in 2018 or 2019, either, and the first year after the pandemic didn’t bring many players to tryouts.

That group finished 5-13 with a first-round exit in the state tournament to Needham.

“The first couple years, guys were quitting,” said Kaeterle, a 2006 New Bedford graduate. “Guys were upset with me. There was no culture, what I walked into, that it had been in the past. … It was kind of building the foundation and going from there.”

Playing Needham in 2021 was a turning point, seeing what high-powered volleyball looked like outside of the South Shore. And ever since, it’s been a night-and-day difference.

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The 2022 team won 12 games for the first time since 2016; 2023 was a 13-win season. Now, with 12 wins after an offseason in which several players were involved with club, the Whalers feel confident in a deeper run.

“This group has bought in since their freshman year,” Kaeterle said. “I think that’s where the change is now after eight years. Have a couple kids buying in and seeing what the offseason does to you, the beach does to you. Putting the time in the weight room and constantly playing. That’s why the top five is what the top five and the top 10 is. It doesn’t really happen overnight.”

At the core of this year’s success as well is the adoption of the African “ubuntu” philosophy, which roughly means, “I am what I am because of who we all are.” A team-first mindset is a priority.

What it’s led to is a positive atmosphere in the gym – one that has volleyball buzzing again in New Bedford.

“I just feel so grateful to be a part of something, to be bringing back the volleyball spirit in New Bedford that was so big at one time and then kind of took a break, wasn’t that big,” Barbosa said. “I’m just really happy to see how far we’ve come. … To see everyone grow around me too, and to become the team we’ve become. Individually and all together, it’s really impressive actually.”

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Strong start at BC High

Two years removed from finishing 7-10 with a first-round exit in the Div. 1 state tournament, BC High has built up its strength as a serious playoff threat this season.

The Eagles are 10-2 despite a beefed-up schedule, with signature wins over Milford, Wayland, Cambridge, St. John’s (S) and St. John’s Prep.

“The competition we’ve faced this year is one of the toughest in recent years for our program so it definitely builds confidence,” said head coach James Chen. “One thing that has stood out has been each player’s commitment since the start of the season to being the best that they can be.”

Westfield, Western Mass. rank atop Div. 2

Six of the top seven teams in the latest MIAA Div. 2 power rankings come from the West, led by reigning finalist Westfield (13-0) at No. 1 and defending champion Agawam (13-2) at No. 2. Wayland (8-4) ranks No. 3, but West Springfield (10-4), Longmeadow (10-3), Granby (14-1) and Ludlow (7-7) hold the next four spots.

The realignments of Milford, North Quincy and Greater New Bedford into Div. 1 seem to play a major role, though only Milford’s rating would crack the top five in Div. 2.

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“It is a strong reflection of the West,” said Westfield head coach Tyler Wingate. “I think that you’re seeing a rise of level in the West and there are more and more quality teams that can be factors in June.”



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Boston, MA

Proposed “perfect” Red Sox trade sees Boston deal Jarren Duran, prospects for $15.5 million two-time All-Star ace

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Proposed “perfect” Red Sox trade sees Boston deal Jarren Duran, prospects for .5 million two-time All-Star ace


The Boston Red Sox found their ace in Garrett Crochet this year, after trading for him around this time last year. Now, they’ve made some moves to finally get him some support in the rotation, but none of those moves are truly a No. 2 to back him up.

Fansided’s Cody Williams believes he has the perfect trade for a name that’s been floated around as an option: Milwaukee Brewers All-Star Freddy Peralta. 

“While Boston has long looked like an obvious suitor for Peralta, the trade assets haven’t necessarily lined up perfectly for both them and Milwaukee…Now, the Brewers still aren’t in need of outfield help, so to speak, but there is certainly room to upgrade over the likes of Jake Bauers, Garrett Mitchell or Blake Perkins, which Duran or Abreu would allow them to do. Furthermore, in typical fashion for Milwaukee, they could flip an asset they’re unlikely to be able to pay in Peralta for immediate major-league upgrades with plenty of club control at low cost and prospects that could help keep the ball rolling under Pat Murphy,” Williams wrote. 

MORE: Cubs predicted to trade for $3.75 million 150 SO ace to create 1-2 punch with Shota Imanaga

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The trade would look like this: 

Red Sox get: RHP Freddy Peralta

Brewers get: OF Jarren Duran, SS Franklin Arias (No. 1 Prospect), RHP Juan Valera (No. 12 Prospect) 

MORE: Mariners predicted to trade for $5.75 million All-Star, Gold Glove as amazing replacement for Jorge Polanco

Peralta posted a 17-6 record, a 2.70 ERA, 204 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.075 over 176 innings pitched last season. Combine him with Crochet, and the Sox have a World Series-contending-level rotation. 

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The only problem with this is it’s basically a one-year rental. Peralta’s contract is up after this year, and he’s projected to get a five-year, $152 million deal. 

The Sox have shown they don’t believe in giving long-term contracts out to players over 30, and Peralta will be 30 in the upcoming season. Hopefully, the Sox make an exception, get uncomfortable like they said they would, and pursue this trade.

MORE MLB NEWS

Braves predicted to be top trade candidate for $325 million two-time World Series MVP, five-time All-Star as massive upgrade over Mauricio Dubon

Red Sox predicted to be top landing spot for $116.5 million three-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger, would be massive upgrade from David Hamilton

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Phillies predicted to be top trade candidate for $7.7 million All-Star MVP, would replace Nick Castellanos



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Boston, MA

BU spoils Northeastern final game at Matthews Arena

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BU spoils Northeastern final game at Matthews Arena


BOSTON – Before the lights went out at Matthews Arena for the last time, they shined brightly on Boston University center Brandon Svoboda.

The sophomore from Pittsburgh scored two goals including the game-winner at 18:21 of the third to lift the Terriers to a 4-3 victory over Northeastern, on Saturday night. Svoboda’s fourth of the season was the final goal scored at Northeastern’s historic Matthews Arena.

The Terriers’ victory over the Huskies was the last sporting event played inside Matthews Arena, which officially opened its doors as Boston Arena in April of 1910.

“I got a lucky bounce and I capitalized on it and put it in the back of the net,” said Svoboda. “Playing the last game ever in this building is pretty special and what was it, 1910 this place was built so it was pretty special being the last team playing in this building.

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“We are a young group and we are figuring it out so it was obviously a big deal to get a W in the last game in this arena.”

BU improved to 9-8-1 and 6-3-0 in Hockey East going into the semester break while the No. 11 Huskies fell to 10-6-0 and 5-4-0 in the conference.

“It was just a big win for us going into the semester break,” said BU coach Jay Pandolfo. “The first half has not been ideal for us so to finish it that way, to come back in the third period to win a hockey game in this environment, where this is their last home game here and they wanted to win and we found a way to pull it off.”

Northeastern purchased the structure in 1979 and renamed it Matthews Arena three years later. The demolition of the old barn nestled between Mass. Ave and Gainsborough Street will begin in January and the new arena is scheduled to go online in September of 2028.

“Having a new facility is definitely a big selling point,” said NU coach Jerry Keefe. “It is going to have all the amenities you need to develop players and I think this generation of recruits like the shiny and the new.”

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The first Beanpot Tournament was played at Boston Arena in 1952, so it seemed appropriate that Northeastern would play its final game against a neighboring Beanpot opponent. BU played its home games at Boston Arena from 1918 to 1971 before moving into its new facility on Babcock Street.

Pandolfo enjoyed many Matthews moments both on the ice and behind the bench. Pandolfo also played in the final Beanpot game at the old Boston Garden.

“I always enjoyed playing here that’s for sure,” Pandolfo said. “It was a fun place to play and I always enjoyed it and I enjoyed coaching there. It is a great environment and a special old building.

“That’s the biggest attachment for me and that I just enjoyed it. My grandfather played at Northeastern, my mom’s dad and that makes it special as well. It was also Boston University’s home rink as well for a long time and that is a big reason we are here closing it out with Northeastern.”

The Huskies had some extra zip in their blades that created several scoring opportunities, all of which deftly handled by BU netminder Mikhail Yegorov.

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NU went up 1-0 on a power play goal by freshman center Jacob Mathieu at 11:28 of the first. Mathieu found an opening outside the BU crease and redirected Giacomo Martino’s wrister from the left circle for his fifth of the season.

NU went up 2-0 at 14:36 when junior center Tyler Fukakusa finished a two-on-one break with his second goal of the season. BU got on the board when Svoboda netted a power play goal at 17:40, his third of the season.

“We were playing fine but we just made some mistakes so to get out of that first period 2-1 was important no question about that,” said Pandolfo.

BU tied the game 2-2 on sophomore center Sacha Boisvert’s second of the season at 13:38 of the second. NU went up 3-2 when sophomore left wing Joe Connor beat the buzzer at 19:59 with his sixth of the season. NU tied the game 3-3 on Kamil Bednarik tally at 18:02 of the third. Svoboda would score 19 seconds later to complete the comeback.

“You give up a late goal at the end of the second period after a power play, that can really hurt you,” said Pandolfo. “But our guys were determined to come back.”

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Boston city councilor pushes for state audit of federal grant funds after misuse by city program

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Boston city councilor pushes for state audit of federal grant funds after misuse by city program


Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn requested that the state auditor’s office conduct a formal audit of the nearly $560 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds the city received from the federal government, in light of misspending by a city program.

Flynn sent a letter to State Auditor Diana DiZoglio on Friday requesting an audit of the federal grant funds the city received through the ARPA legislation of 2021 that was issued as a COVID-19 pandemic-relief measure.

The councilor said Boston received nearly $560 million in federal funds for pandemic recovery. The money was committed by the end of 2024, and must be spent by the end of next year, he said.

“In May of this year, it was reported that the City of Boston’s Three Squares Main Streets program allegedly misspent ARPA funds in the amount of $32,000,” Flynn wrote in the letter. “Irresponsible funding and spending leads to inflated costs and missed opportunities to improve our communities.

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“It is critical that the City of Boston spends taxpayer dollars responsibly to regain our credibility and show respect to the residents,” he added.

Flynn wrote that he chose to pursue a state audit due to the City Council’s failure to hold oversight hearings, and ensure that “Boston is in compliance with spending regulations.”

Auditor DiZoglio’s office said Friday that it had received Flynn’s letter and that the councilor’s request requires a majority vote from the City Council and approval from the mayor to permit the auditor’s office to conduct a municipal audit.

“Our General Counsel will be sending Councilor Flynn the legal process required, under the law, to engage the Office of State Auditor with respect to a municipal audit,” DiZoglio spokesperson Andrew Carden said in a statement.

“Unlike the Office of Inspector General, which has the full legal authority to audit and investigate municipal government entities without a request or permission from a city or town, the Office of State Auditor, while mandated to audit state government entities, is actually legally required to obtain permission from a municipality, via both a majority vote from the City Council and approval by the Mayor, to be permitted to conduct a municipal audit,” Carden added.

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Flynn told the Herald he wouldn’t hold his breath for approval from his colleagues on the City Council, which is largely allied with Mayor Michelle Wu.

“Since the City Council failed to hold the necessary oversight hearings to determine how we spend federal funds, an outside audit is essential to ensure appropriate spending, demonstrate transparency and accountability,” Flynn said. “The Boston City Council will not support an independent audit of our financial records to ensure we are complying with federal spending laws.”

Mayor Wu’s office didn’t respond to a request for comment on whether the Wu administration would support Flynn’s request for a state audit.



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