In the days after the Winchester boys volleyball team lost just its fifth set of the year during a 3-1 win over Acton-Boxboro on May 6, then improving to 12-1 and No. 3 in the MIAA Div. 1 power rankings, an opposing coach of a fellow contender brought the group up in a conversation about how the field was looking so far.

The Red and Black’s only loss to that point was to Needham in a 3-2 thriller in which they led 2-1 before the Rockets surged back. A loaded Milford squad couldn’t top them, while fellow threats Cambridge, Lexington and Chelmsford couldn’t even take a set.

To the coach, it was no mystery what it takes to beat them. Pulling it off, though, was a different story.

“Really, it comes down to how you can take Jamie Watt out,” the coach said. “But I don’t know if you can.”

Now 15-3, longtime Winchester head coach John Fleming believes Watt is the complete package and the type of player that comes “few and far between.” He’s a towering student-athlete with quality passing, challenging serves, a high IQ and explosive hits. Entering Friday night’s 3-0 win over Wakefield, the senior averaged nearly 17 kills per game this year.

Winchester dropped consecutive matches against Lexington (3-2) and St. John’s Prep (3-1) before then. But even in those losses, Watt posted 26 and 23 kills, respectively, with a combined .287 hitting percentage, 48 successful serve receptions and 19 digs.

“I think everyone knows coming to play us, you can certainly try to disrupt him as best you can,” Fleming said. “Sometimes great players just make great plays and there’s not all that much you can do about it. … I certainly don’t want to put all the onus on (Watt) for all the success as well, but I think when you have a player of his ability, I think you enter the conversation as one of the better teams in the state.”

For as dominant of a player as Watt has grown into over his four years in the program and three years as a starter, though, his performances might not be the most impressive part of his impact.

On Monday, the school held a leadership workshop that was open to anyone – whether or not students played sports. Fleming has said all along that Watt’s desire to lift and motivate his teammates this year has been a major influence on the group’s success – which branches well beyond Watt.

Senioritis may have been what prevented any senior in the school from attending the workshop. Any senior, except Watt.

“There he was, with about 15 school days left, and trying to push himself because I think he sees the value in what that might be for our team,” Fleming said. “He’s understanding that it does take a full team to go after a state title.”

“The season’s not over, we’re not done,” Watt added. “If there’s anything I can do to help myself grow as a person, or the team grow, I’m going to take it until the last day. … Right now, volleyball is always on my mind.”

Watt started his volleyball career as a freshman, but it didn’t take long for it to become his top sport. He was a prominent player on the Winchester team in 2022 that reached the Div. 1 state semifinals, then was named captain for 2023.

Aside from having a younger group last year, Watt feels this season’s biggest difference is making a concerted effort to be a more vocal leader. Finding motivation isn’t hard for him as a quote connoisseur, ready to drop a few of his favorites on a whim.

Spreading his motivation and energy, which he felt he didn’t do last year, is a top priority.

“I just try to take control of every situation I can just by getting the guys going, bringing their energy up whenever I can,” he said. “Going into junior year, I wasn’t mentally ready (to be a vocal captain) but I think I definitely worked toward that, about being the loudest guy and not being nervous. … (I’m) just trying to get a good team spirit. Just helping people out, having other people help each other out. That’s the main goal.”

Fleming believes he’s effectively done that this year, lifting the play and work ethic of those around him alongside fellow captains Adam Lubomirski and Justin Girotti.

“When your best player is your hardest worker and best teammate, good things will happen,” Fleming said.

The Red and Black are hoping those “good things” will translate into the program’s first state title. Their chances are looking pretty good.

“This is my last year, I know that once (we) lose in the playoffs, I’m done,” Watt said. “Last year, the focus was just don’t lose. I think this year, my goal has been just to win. … Hopefully that means we’re playing late into the year. But if it doesn’t, it means we’re going down swinging.”

Side outs

Second-year Latin Academy head coach Nick Mona aimed for a more challenging schedule this year after the program was booted in the first-round last season, and a strong, young core is brewing to bring the Dragons (13-5) to new heights.

Sophomore outside hitter Teddy Stylianopolous, freshman libero Tri Duong and junior opposite Gabe Ugoji complement senior Dan Imasuen in leading Latin Academy to the No. 8 spot in the latest MIAA Div. 2 power rankings.

“This year, I felt like it was important to challenge my team and face some tough teams,” Mona said. “We are currently (13-5), but we are making some pretty big strides every day. … We currently have seven freshmen and sophomores who regularly play for us. Our team is built on having a balanced offense, strong serving, good blocking, and defense.”

A couple years ago, Fleming and Lexington head coach Jane Bergin raved over a brand-new Middlesex League. Now expanded to seven teams, a bit of a three-team race unfolded this year around Winchester for the league title. Lexington’s 3-2 win over the one-loss Red and Black would have tied the two at the top for a co-championship, if not for second-year program Woburn (16-3) beating the Minutemen and showing impressive growth already.

Despite graduating a wealth of star power from last year’s 17-win team, the beat goes on for Acton-Boxboro. The Revolution (13-4) repeated as Dual County League champions Friday night with a 3-2 win over Cambridge. Obi Umeh and Sai Nallajennugari have been twin killers for junior setter Parth Pawar, who regularly tops 40 assists.