By Michael Greene
OA opened up the playoffs hosting for the first time ever against Durfee. Straight from the get-go it was clear that OA was the more dominant team. They quickly jumped out to a 14-7 lead with two big kills by Caitlin Cavanaugh. After a Durfee timeout they mounted a comeback to strike within five at a score of 18-13. OA went back on the offensive and took the first set 25-18 earning a 1-0 lead.
The tigers once again jumped out to a big lead of 9-5, but this time Durfee made a much more convincing run cutting the lead to just one with a score of 15-14. However, OA stormed back and a kill by Caroline Flynn capped off a 10-2 run by the tigers as they won the first set 25-16. OA stretched their lead to 2-0.
The third set was controlled by OA from the start. OA´s scoring was spread out this set with Jackie Raymond´s two kills and an ace, along with four kills by Caitlin Cavanaugh, and back to back aces by Ryley Mcneeley. The tigers seized the third set with a 25-6 blowout to win their first playoff game with a commanding 3-0 sweep of Durfee.
Oliver Ames was the better team throughout the whole game and showed strong signs of a playoff run. The standout performers of the game were Allie Kemp (31 assists), Caitlin Cavanaugh (10 kills), Jordan Bosse (10 kills), and Sadie Homer (25 digs). A huge all around effort allowed OA to win their first ever home playoff game. OA heads to Barnstable for their next playoff game Monday night. This is their biggest test of the year against the No. 1 seeded powerhouse.