On Monday afternoon, Newton South hosted Natick in an early season matchup of two of the top boys volleyball teams in Massachusetts. Coming into the game, Newton South was ranked number 4 overall by the Boston Globe, with Natick just one spot behind.

The Lions took the first set. But it was all Natick after that, with the Red Hawks winning the next three sets to claim the victory. Despite the loss, Newton South head coach Lucas Coffeen was encouraged by his squad’s performance.

“The game was great, and really valuable for us,” he said. “It’s a speed of volleyball that we need to prepare for. That kind of game will help us get better.”

Coffeen doesn’t put too much stock in early season performances, or even the rankings, preferring instead to use the first month to develop players and systems and fiddle with different lineups.

“Our final form is still to come,” he said. “Whatever people want to rank us is great.” South last hoisted a championship banner in boys’ volleyball in 2014. They look to bounce back against Acton-Boxborough at home on Wednesday, April 8.

Check out these photos from the match.

Newton South played Natick in an early season volleyball game at Newton South on April 6, 2026. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Ben Jolly (21) jumps but can’t block a spike by an opponent from Natick. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Baylor Mandell (4) and teammates do a team cheer ahead of an early season volleyball game against Natick. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Newton South head coach Lucas Coffeen looks on during pregame warmups. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Baylor Mandell (4) delivers a shot past two Natick defenders at the net. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Yoni Rotem (17) delivers a serve in front of his Newton South teammates. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Ben Jolly (21) spikes the ball against Natick on April 6, 2026. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Yaroslav Ivanchenko (16) returns the ball in a game against Natick. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Adam Friedman (13) and teammates get hyped after the Lions scored a point in the first set. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon