Boston, MA
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.
“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.”
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.
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.”
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.
“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.”
Boston, MA
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.
“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.”
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.
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.”
Boston, MA
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.
“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.
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.
Wu’s office launched an internal audit last May after the city main streets’ program’s alleged misuse of federal ARPA funds was flagged by the Boston Finance Commission, a City Hall watchdog.
“We’re grateful for city staff who have been working to ensure oversight of every dollar of federal funds spent on pandemic recovery, including grants to nonprofit organizations,” Wu spokesperson Emma Pettit said in a statement at the time. “Through their diligence, these financial irregularities were identified and reported to the appropriate agencies to take action.
“The city will continue to support any further investigation, and is undertaking a further audit to ensure full accountability.”
Boston, MA
Skip the chaos and crowds with unique holiday markets are worth the detour – The Boston Globe
The holiday season is in full swing: The puffer jackets have been broken out of storage, carols and festive pop classics play throughout every store, and the annual struggle of what gifts to get your loved ones (and that one office White Elephant) is back. If you are looking to skip the long lines (and stinky cheese) at more social media-famous markets, but still want some one-of-a-kind holiday shopping from small businesses, here are some smaller holiday markets to visit this winter.
A CLASSIC CHRISTMAS Reading Memorial High School’s Drama Club (and supporting organizations) will host a Dickens Holiday Marketplace and Craft Fair once again this holiday season. The market, which has run for over 20 years, hosts 55 New England-based vendors selling artisan goods, including wooden cutting boards and goods from Magnus Woodsmith, pottery from Nancy Littlehale, and more. There will also be hands-on crafting opportunities, including coloring and cookie decorating. The Saturday marketplace — including an on-site warm beverage sale — is also a fund-raiser for RMHS’s drama department, raising money to support production equipment, scholarships for graduating students, and other needs. RMHS drama club members dressed in Victorian costumes will roam the fair and perform short skits and sing carols. There will also be tap, jazz, and contemporary dance performances by local troupes in the school’s performing arts center.
Dickens Holiday Marketplace and Craft Fair. Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road, Reading. Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entry is free. rmhsdrama.org
SUPPORTING WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES Boston Women’s Market hosts its holiday market at Night Shift Brewing in Everett on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. New England-based, women-owned vendors will be selling gift-able goods, including handmade jewelry from ADK Jewelry, natural skincare products from Beauté Noir, and cat toys and playhouses from Cat in the Box. The market will also be host to a family holiday celebration, including free ornament painting and an ugly sweater contest. There will be giveaways throughout the market of Night Shift Brewing gift cards and merchandise. If you’re hungry, Daddy’s Bonetown Burgers has you covered, and specialty holiday cocktails, yet to be announced, make the perfect holiday treat.
Boston Women’s Holiday Market. Night Shift Brewing, 87 Santilli Highway, Everett. Dec. 13, noon to 5 p.m. Entry is free. bostonwomensmarket.com

CULTURAL COLLECTIVE In celebration of the season, the Cultural Survival Bazaar will hold a Winter Solstice Indigenous Art Holiday Market on Dec. 13 and Dec. 14 at The Boston Center for the Arts Cyclorama. The market will highlight Indigenous art and artists from around the world, including North and South America, Palestine, East Africa, and more. There will be over 50 vendors, such as Chinampa Temachtiani, which sells jewelry, clothing, and axolotl plushies, Hebron Glass, which sells blown glass goods, and Afri-Root Collective, which sells handmade African art from women artists. The market will also feature live musical performances from Lyla June, Yarina, and more. Looking for a new book to cozy up with this winter? Attendees can also participate in a book swap.
Winter Solstice Indigenous Art Holiday Market. Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St. Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $10. Free for children under 18. bazaar.culturalsurvival.org/boston

SHOPPING SMALL Returning for its fourth year, Small Mart Market is hosting the second of two holiday vintage shopping events in Greater Boston. The holiday market will take place at the Crystal Ballroom with over 50 vendors, including vintage clothing resellers and upcycled fashion designers. Vendors include the market’s organizers, High Energy Vintage, a Somerville-based secondhand clothing and record shop, and Existential Thread, a Rhode Island-based vintage clothing store, as well as others, such as Jessamy Shay, who designs clothing by repurposing garments and fabrics. There will also be artisan goods and artists selling prints, posters, and pottery. The market will also feature a full bar, complete with festive beverages such as a cranberry Moscow Mule and Irish Coffee for purchase.
Small Mart Market Holiday Market, Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville. Dec. 20, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry is free. smallmartmarket.com
FRIENDLY SHOPPING (AND COMPETITION) The Charles River Speedway and the Brighton Bazaar are partnering for the Bazaar’s 100th event, The Holiday Stroll, on Dec. 20 and 21. The Speedway hosts over 60 local vendors, featuring a variety of artisan goods, including metal art, kitchenware, and decor from Eli West, handmade pottery from Sugalski Ceramics, and more. At the upper courtyard of the Speedway, there will be a gingerbread house building competition on each day of the market. With a $5 buy-in, which can be purchased ahead of time or on site, the competition will last from noon to 3 p.m. Winners will be announced within the week after the market for prizes such as a $75 gift card to a Speedway vendor of their choice or two tickets to a show at The Roadrunner of the winner’s choice. For a less high-stakes activity, there will be card-making stations where attendees can craft personal holiday greetings for loved ones.
The Holiday Stroll. The Charles River Speedway, 525 Western Ave., Brighton. Dec. 20-21, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entry is free. charlesriverspeedway.com

SECONDHAND STOCKING STUFFERS The Somerville Flea — usually known for holding court in Davis Square in summer and fall — hosts its annual holiday market on Dec. 21 for last-minute shoppers looking for one-of-a-kind secondhand goods. The extensive shopping event will feature around 40 vendors and their curated collections of vintage goods, such as clothes from Dandelion District, books from Hiding in Books, and home decor from Unpredictable Finds. A DJ will play holiday mixes to set the festive mood while you shop. Snacks and beverages will be available at Arts at the Armory’s ROOTED Café.
The Somerville Flea Holiday Markets. Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Avenue, #1C, Somerville. Dec. 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry is free. thesomervilleflea.com
Isabella Bernstein can be reached at isabella.bernstein@globe.com.
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