Boston, MA
Airtight defense carries Agawam to Div. 2 boys volleyball championship
SHREWSBURY – For Agawam boys volleyball star setter David Dzhenzherukha, the joy of a Div. 2 state title in 2023 was a bit overshadowed by the feeling he didn’t carry his weight as much as former superstar Dan Yovenko, who dominated in every big moment that season.
Twice in three years strikes a different tune, though, especially against the program that reverse-swept the Brownies in last year’s state semifinals.
In a well-balanced showing paced by Dzhenzherukha’s 46 assists and four kills, as well as a phenomenal defensive performance to dominate the third and fourth sets, top-seeded Agawam (24-1) defeated No. 3 Wayland in the Div. 2 state final, 3-1 (25-22, 23-25, 25-13, 25-16) at Shrewsbury High School.
“In 2023, we won a state championship, but I feel like I didn’t win a state championship – Dan (Yovenko) won a state championship,” Dzhenzherukha said. “That’s been my fuel to win another one. Last year, in the semifinals against Wayland, we got reverse swept. That just added to the motivation to play the best we could for this season. … This is the (thing) I’ve (wanted most) I think ever. This is the best feeling I think I’ve ever had.”
Yovenko erupted for 22 kills to finally take down Westfield in the last state title. Depth was at the heart of this one.
The Warriors (16-9) struggled to effectively block Agawam’s attack, primarily because Dzhenzherukha used all of his weapons in different critical moments.
In the third set, junior Tim Karcha – who didn’t commit an error en route to 16 kills – touched down six in a major momentum shift. Senior Joe Culhane (15 kills) caught fire for eight in the fourth set to seal the match, all while right-side Dennis Nesen (nine kills) found his moments to strike, and middles Chase Gerani (seven kills, two blocks) and John Cote (three kills, two blocks) made a lasting mark on offense and defense.
“This one hit really different because we didn’t have a Dan Yovenko to lean on … this was a team win,” said Agawam head coach Kevin Pender. “Our team is so balanced, that we can find any guy. (Dzhenzherukha) is incredible, he’s able to run the offense. He’s Tom Brady-level.”
“I think we have the most well-rounded team in the whole state,” Dzhenzherukha added. “Most teams have that one guy that just shines. … You have to try to stop all of us.”
Wayland was in great shape in the first two sets, playing strong defensively while star junior Finn Bell (25 kills) caught fire early. Bell’s seven kills and three aces in the first set couldn’t edge out a win in a 25-22 loss, but he and Cooper Szeremeta (eight kills) teamed up to lead the attack in a 25-23 win to even up the match.
But a vicious rally to nearly force extra points lit a spark for the Brownies, which they rolled into a 7-1 start to the third set.
“It helped energize that we’re still in this, we can do it,” Pender said.
Karcha dominated in pockets as Agawam built a 21-9 lead, complemented by kills from Culhane, Nesen and Gerani. Culhane did the same with five kills in a 6-1 run to separate from a 6-6 tie to start the fourth.
The team’s defense perhaps made the biggest impact, though, as Agawam’s blocking gave Bell and Wayland’s fellow hitters fits. And when it didn’t, the back row extended rallies with signature digs.
“That was the winner – I think we kept balls alive, we put pressure on them to score, and we didn’t make it easy,” Pender said. “We were able to turn on a defensive skill set that we really didn’t have to most of the year. … The true story is the display of defense.”
Zach O’Donnell had 35 assists for Wayland, which was making its second straight state finals appearance after making just one trip in program history prior.
“When I’m able to zoom out, I’m really proud of the trajectory of the program and the growth of the players in it,” said Wayland head coach Phil George. “It’s a deep team, we’ll be very excited about next season, but I’m also really proud of the seniors, who kind of ushered in the most successful era we’ve had in this program’s history.”
As we reckon with summer’s departure, there are a variety of fun-filled events to welcome the first signs of fall. Visit two “carnivals,” each with its own twist: huzzah and hurrah with medieval jest at the Brighton Bazaar’s Knight Carnival or tinker and test interactive exhibits at the Cambridge Science Carnival. Also, Somerville celebrates its prized, local invention, Marshmallow Fluff, with the 20th annual Fluff Festival, complete with sticky games and extra sugary challenges.
Here are six no-cost activities and events for the week of Sept. 15-21, as well as two ways to save on the arts this season.
BOOK LOVERS UNITE If a book club had a silent disco equivalent, it might be the Boston Figurative Art Center’s BYOBook event. Unlike a traditional book club, everyone brings whatever book they’re currently reading to a guided discussion with fellow readers from 7-7:30 p.m. After, attendees are welcomed to read as they please on the studio’s couches or lounge area. Snacks and beverages from the studio will be available. Sept. 17, 7-9 p.m. Boston Figurative Art Center, 285 Washington St., Somerville. bostonfac.com
KNIGHT MARKET The Brighton Bazaar, in collaboration with roving merchant curators Medieval Merriment, will transform into the first-ever Knight Carnival for a night of Middle Ages-themed mischief. Immerse yourself in a live sword fight between armored knights from local melee club North Horde, a creature puppet show, fantasy-inspired musicians, a site-wide scavenger hunt, and a costume contest for attendees dressed in their Ren Faire best. If you have gold in your inventory to spend, vendors will be selling trinkets all night. Sept. 18, 5-10 p.m. Charles River Speedway, 525 Western Ave., Brighton. facebook.com/thebrightonbazaar
AUTUMN LEAVES The Boston Landing Fall Crawl celebrates the arrival of the season with a reptile show with snakes and lizards, pony rides, and pumpkin decorating. DJ Dukes will play a live set from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and country singer Louis Bello will pick up from 2-4 p.m. Meanwhile, from noon-2 p.m., attendees can join a line dancing lesson. Churros are on the house (while supplies last), and barbecue eats and other Southern staples will be available for purchase. Sept. 20, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Boston Landing, 92 Guest St. bostonlanding.co
MARSHMALLOW MADNESS Don’t expect to come out of this one clean: Somerville, the birthplace of Marshmallow Fluff, celebrates this sticky-sweet legacy with the 20th annual Fluff Festival. In addition to live music and entertainment, the event will host unique games for prizes, including Fluff jousting, where participants use pool noodles with Fluff to knock others off a balance beam, and a Fluff hair-styling contest, where Fluff and Teddy peanut butter are provided for contestants to style the best ’do. .Attendees who arrive by cycle can access two free bike valets — one in front of Gracie’s Ice Cream and another by the intersection of Somerville Avenue and School Street. The fest is free to attend, but marshmallow-y foods and drinks will be available for purchase. Sept. 20, 2-6 p.m. 366 Somerville Ave., Somerville. flufffestival.com
UP, UP, AND AWAY The City of Quincy celebrates its 400th birthday with a Hot Air Balloon and Laser Light Show at Merrymount Park. On Pageant Field, attendees can play lawn games or journey 60 feet in the air in tethered hot air balloons. Meanwhile, roving costumed performers and food trucks can be found on Adams Field. At 9 p.m., the laser show begins, projecting streams and beams onto the overhead balloons and trees. Sept. 20, 4-10 p.m. Merrymount Park, Quincy. Reserve free balloon ride vouchers on the event’s website. quincy400.com
SCIENTIFIC WONDERS More than 150 booths showcasing STEAM’s finest (and most fun) will occupy the 17th annual Cambridge Science Carnival. Visit a robot petting zoo — featuring robots of the underwater, basketball, and gummy bear varieties — check out hands-on booths to make stomp rockets, sugar glass, or bath bombs. Members of the MIT Physics Department will perform demonstrations at 1 and 3:15 p.m., and the hosts of the “Tumble Science” children’s podcast will perform interactive songs at 1:45 p.m. Sept. 21, noon-4 p.m. Kendall/MIT Open Space, 292 Main St., Cambridge. cambridgesciencecarnival.org
Deals and Steals
FINE FOR FIVE Starting Sept. 18, the Museum of Fine Arts kicks off its $5 Third Thursdays programming. On the third Thursday of each month, from 5-10 p.m., general admission is pay-as-you-wish with a $5 minimum. A crisp Lincoln grants access to the main galleries, as well as special after dark programming exclusive to each event — this month is Latinx Heritage Night featuring drop-in art sessions to make Puerto Rican beaded bracelets and Ex-Votos paintings, live sets by the Rafa Moreno Band and DJ Montro, and special spotlight talks and guided tours. mfa.org
SYMPHONY SEASON PASS Full-time Boston students with a valid college ID can take study breaks with an (award-winning) symphony when they purchase a $20 H+H Masterpass. The exclusive pass can be redeemed to access up to eight Handel and Haydn Society performances through the 2025-26 season. (Some exclusions apply.) handelandhaydn.org/concerts-tickets/masterpass
Check individual event websites for the most up-to-date information.
Send info on free events and special offers at least 10 days in advance to ryan.yau@globe.com.
Ryan Yau can be reached at ryan.yau@globe.com.
Walker Buehler’s Red Sox tenure came to an unceremonious end on August 29 when he was released to clear a roster spot for top prospect Payton Tolle to make his major league debut. His Phillies tenure, however, got off to a pretty good start Friday night.
Buehler, who signed a minor league deal with Philadelphia within a couple days of Boston cutting him, got the start at Citizens Bank Park against the Royals and delivered, holding Kansas City to one run on five hits while striking out three batters and walking just one in five innings. Philadelphia, won, 8-2, and Buehler got the win, marking his first such result since August 8, when he turned in one of his best performances in a Red Sox uniform and tossed six shutout innings in San Diego.
For Buehler, who owned a 5.45 ERA in 112 ⅓ innings for Boston, it was the third outing since July 1 in which he didn’t issue multiple walks. In 23 games (22 starts) for Boston, he issued free passes at a rate of 4.4 per nine innings. He also allowed 22 home runs.
The Phillies added Buehler to the mix in an effort to give their top starters — Cristopher Sánchez, Ranger Suárez, Jesús Luzardo and Aaron Nola — some extra chances to rest down the stretch. For now, he’s slotting into Philadelphia’s rotation as a sixth option, but he could serve a bullpen role come October if he’s pitching well and manager Rob Thomson wants to try to tap into the playoff magic Buehler has provided throughout his career. The 31-year-old, who recorded the final out of the World Series last fall at Yankee Stadium, has a career 3.04 postseason ERA in 19 appearances and has pitched three times in the World Series.
“He fits right into that mold of being a Philadelphia baseball player,” Buehler’s new teammate, Bryce Harper said, according to The Athletic’s Matt Gelb. “Just a lot of fun to be around him. Obviously, he’s pitched in big moments, deep into the postseason. So getting a guy like that in our clubhouse is huge for us. And he went out there and did a great job tonight.”
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