The Mt. Hope volleyball team pounded Ponaganset 3-1 (25-8, 20-25, 25-11, 25-8) in a Division II home game on Wednesday night. The 8-1 Huskies have won 5 in a row and clinched a playoff birth just midway through the season. They are currently in third place behind Cumberland and East Providence who are both 9-0. 

“Everyone’s really excited,” said senior captain Mia Shaw. “We’ve kind of been playing the underdog role, but we are all kind of sick of it. We are ready to be the talk of the town.”

Shaw the Huskies’ setter made 9 kills, 27 assists and 11 digs against Ponaganset. It is her first year running a 5-1 as the team’s only setter. 

“Mia was amazing tonight,” said head coach Lisa Lunney. 

“We are really lucky with the team that we have right now,” Shaw said. “We are a young team with only four seniors.” 

That makes Shaw hopeful as the younger players continue to improve at a quick pace. 

“It’s fun,” she said “Everyone is really enjoying themselves.”

Shaw likes what she sees from sophomore outside hitter, Sarah Wilcox, who made 8 kills, 8 digs and 4 aces against Ponaganset. 

“She’s gotten comfortable and more confident in her role and it’s making he more of a killer,” Shaw said.

 Outside hitter Grace Gerhard tallied 8 kills, and 3 aces and Leah Marshall made 4 kills and 6 aces. 

“Grace is getting pretty good on the right side,” said Shaw 

Junior Mia Hanson is playing well as the team’s libero in her first year on varsity.

“She’s comfortable, she ready. It’s really evident that she has put a lot of work in,” said Shaw. 

The Middletown win put the Huskies on the map according to Shaw and teams need to take Mt. Hope serious down the stretch. 

“Our chances are looking pretty good,” said Shaw of the playoffs. “I know that there are a lot of teams that think they are going to beat us. But we are putting in the work and getting stronger each practice. I think that we will be ready for playoffs.”