After combing over statistics and results, and with the guidance of local athletic directors and coaches, we at the Daily News selected All-Stars for baseball, softball, boys and girls lacrosse , boys volleyball, boys and girls tennis, boys and girls track and field and rugby.
Although the sports and skill sets may vary, there’s no denying that this group put up otherworldly numbers this spring while helping their respective teams find success – whether that be on the diamond, field, court or track.
Without further ado, the Daily News presents its 2024 All-Stars for boys volleyball:
Branch Barnes, Natick
The two-year captain and junior was a Massachusetts Volleyball Coaches Association All-State selection. A returning Daily News All-Star, Barnes is a two-time First Team All-Bay State Conference member, with season statistics of 210 kills, 50 blocks and 50 assists to go with a 90% serving clip. "Branch is one of the most explosive players in the state," said coach Bob Harless. "He has all the tools of a great player. His blocking, hitting, setting and serving is some of the best I’ve coached. Branch is a pleasure to coach and a leader both on and off the court.”
Finn Bell, Wayland
Just a sophomore, Bell already has more than 550 career kills. Bell was named Co-MVP in the Dual County League and MAVCA All-State after a season in which he totaled more than 325 kills, averaging 17 per match. He also averaged nine digs per match. "Finn has been the outstanding player in Division 2 this year,” said coach Phil George. “He has compiled hugely impressive stats against the second toughest schedule in the state. He is on a unique trajectory in Massachusetts volleyball.”
Adam Chan, Framingham
The senior led the Flyers to Bay State Conference wins over Milton and Walpole and played club volleyball for SMASH.
Logan DeMarzo, Nipmuc
The junior middle hitter was a Dual Valley Conference All-Star after earning 173 kills, 57 total blocks, 56 digs and seven aces. DeMarzo also plays football and basketball at Nipmuc and enjoys weightlifting, hiking and running. “Logan is a high flying, Energizer bunny, human pogo stick of a Middle Hitter that took over multiple matches and had many jaw dropping kills,” said coach Brian Gerard.
Kieran Fagan, Lincoln-Sudbury
A two-time team MVP and first team Dual County League All-Star, Fagan was previously the team’s Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player. He led the team in digs per match (11.7), kills (187), receive rating (2.25%) and receives per match (18.6). He added 20 aces. “Kieran is a thundering power hitter with great reads on defense and excellent passing,” said coach Elizabeth McClung. “He is a good motivator for the team and is a solid leader.”
Liam Frenzel, Wayland
After averaging 14.1 digs per game, this junior was named to the Hal Barnett unsung hero award and a Dual County League All-Star. He averaged 3.8 assists per match and added 29 aces. He has more than 500 career digs. He played every set this season for the Warriors, who reached the Division 2 state championship game. Frenzel also plays soccer and is president of Interact Club and is a member of Chinese National Honor Society and the Young Investors Society. Frenzel has played violin for nine years. “Liam is our anchor in serve receive and a truly standout defender,” said coach Phil George. “He routinely makes spectacular, point saving plays against the toughest competition, but he also consistently makes the simple plays that make our team tough to beat.”
Arthur Gomes, Milford
Known for his enthusiasm on the court and for playing the national anthem on his saxophone before matches, the senior is a three-time Unsung Hero award selection and two-time MAVCA Central Mass All-Star. The captain also plays SMASH Volleyball and was a three-year starter, totaling 364 serve receptions, 257 digs and 66 kills. Gomes was a member of Science, National and Tri-M honor societies and a QuestBridge Scholar and AP Scholar. He will study computer science and math at Middlebury College.
Logan Greenlaw, Keefe Tech
The junior served at a 95% rate, totaled 143 kills and led the Broncos to a 17-3 regular season. Greenlaw has 253 career kills and 1,517 game points. He is also a two-time league All-Star and was named team MVP in basketball last season. He plays AAU basketball for the Boston Warriors and is learning to be a welder at Keefe. Enjoys fantasy football and traveling. The 6-foot-5 Greenlaw aspires to play basketball in college.
Alex Guerra, Milford
The two-time MAVCA All-State player finished his career with 1,012 kills, including 318 as a senior. He also had 519 serve receptions, 184 digs and 25 aces. The two-time team MVP is a High Honors student who also played football. He owns a car detailing business and sells solar products. The SMASH Volleyball Club member plans to attend Mass Bay for two years before enrolling at Bentley University to study finance.
Haden Houachanthara, Nipmuc
The captain and outside hitter was a Dual Valley Conference All-Star after a season in which he totaled 435 serve receptions, 225 digs, 204 kills and 25 total blocks. “Haden goes about his job quietly and efficiently, although a great attacker his strength is in his defense and volleyball IQ,” said coach Brian Gerard.
Timmy Kearney, Lincoln-Sudbury
The two-time Dual County League All-Star led the team in blocks (62) and assists (627) and was second in percentage (91.4). The senior captain also had 145 digs and 51 kills. “Timmy is an excellent blocker and digger as well as setter,” said coach Elizabeth McClung. “He has amazing body control and gets his hands under everything wherever it is on the court.”
Joseph Kelly, Wayland
A three-time Dual County League All-Star and two-time captain, this senior finished his career with more than 600 career kills. A four-year starter, Kelly had 227 kills, 146 digs and 34 aces this season. “Joe has been a pillar in our program for four years, playing as a middle, outside and right side,” said coach Phil George. “He is a standout volleyball player and an even better person off the court. He is the first four-year starter we’ve had in program history.”
Harrison Landry, Natick
The team MVP and three-time captain totaled 545 assists, 44 kills and 28 blocks. Landry finished his career with 1,345 assists and 104 kills and was named to the MAVCA All-State team. Plays club volleyball for SMASH and is a member of the National Honor Society. Landry enjoys spending time outdoors and learning new things. Will attend Sacred Heart University, majoring in Exercise Science, with aspirations of going into the physical therapy field.
Zach Mantegani, Bellingham
The senior opposite hitter set school records for kills in a season (230) and career (584) as well as aces in a career (124) and digs in a career (604). The captain and Tri-Valley League All-Star had 196 digs and 40 aces this year. “He had a tremendous season for us,” said coach Steve Mantegani. “Definitely the key to us getting to the tournament and winning our 1st program playoff game.
Joey Newman, Milford
The senior totaled 201 kills, 82 digs, 63 blocks and 12 aces for the Scarlet Hawks, who reached the Division 1 state semifinals for the second year in a row. He also volunteered to serve as a junior varsity assistant girls coach. "It was an amazing experience seeing volleyball in whole different aspect," he said. He enjoys learning new languages. Newman will attend Norwich University to play baseball and study history and minoring in education "to hopefully become a history teacher and inspire the youth of tomorrow."
Matt Salerno, Natick
A returning Daily News All-Star, the two-time captain finished his senior season with 125 kills and 30 blocks and served to a percentage of 90. Salerno was a four-year varsity player and two-time First Team Bay State Conference All-Star. He was also named a MAVCA Central Mass All-Star. "Matt has been one of our most consistent players for our team," said coach Bob Harless. "Matt is focused on doing his job and doing it well. Matt loves to win and compete. As a captain the younger players look up to him as a leader."
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: The 16 members of the Daily News Boys Volleyball All-Star team for spring of 2024
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