Grace Baptist Christian Academy Sports Heads Head to New England Tournaments

The boys’ soccer and girls’ volleyball teams of Grace Baptist Christian Academy of Attleboro begin their quests today (Friday, Nov. 1) for New England regional championships in Connecticut.

          Both GBCA squads will be in action during regional tournaments sponsored by the New England Association of Christian Schools at Emmanuel Christian Academy in Newington, Conn. The boys’ soccer team (6-7-1 this season) will face Trinity Christian School of Williston, Vt., at 2:30, while the girls’ volleyball contingent (9-3) will battle South Merrimack Christian Academy of Merrimack, N.H., at 5.

          Both Centurion squads will play again Saturday, Nov. 2, at either 10 a.m. or noon in either third-place or championship contests. Host Emmanuel and Dublin Christian Academy of Dublin, N.H., are also competing in the soccer tournament, while Emmanuel and Hartford Christian Academy of West Hartford, Conn., comprise the rest of the field in the volleyball tourney.

          GBCA’s soccer club played a rugged independent schedule this fall since it was the only Massachusetts Association of Christian Schools affiliate to field a team. Despite losing top scorer Lee Nichols to a leg injury in mid-season, the Centurions just missed a .500 finish thanks to the efforts of Alex Rodrigues, Nate Corkum, Shyheem Shorey, Connor McLernon, Evan Tyrol, Cam Desautell, Will Evans and Bryan Simet.

          The Centurions captured their third straight MACS regular-season and State Tournament titles in volleyball this year and will be seeking their first-ever regional crown this weekend. GBCA will be led by Olivia Beals (Most Valuable Player of the State Tournament), Kelly Nichols, Jessica Rodrigues, Emma Goyette, Carrie Kirby, Christine Sojka and Chelsea Oliveira.