SOUTH YARMOUTH — The Dolphins ran into a powerhouse on Thursday as they faced the Barnstable Red Hawks, who opened the match with dominant momentum and never let up in a 3-0 sweep.

Barnstable exploded to an 11-1 start in the first set, forcing DY to take a timeout down 9-0. Middle blocker Amalia Thompson set the tone early for the Red Hawks with three blocks and a kill within the first seven points. DY finally got on the board and settled in once Thompson rotated out, trading points the rest of the way—but the early deficit was too much to overcome. Barnstable took the opening set 25-13.

The second set started evenly, with the teams tied 6-6 before Barnstable pieced together a surge to go up 13-6. DY clawed back to make it 14-9, but the Red Hawks continued to apply pressure and stretched the lead to 18-10. The Dolphins called a timeout down 21-11, but Barnstable stayed in control and claimed the set 25-15.

The third was the most competitive of the night. Neither team led by more than two points until Barnstable pulled ahead 16-14. From there, the Red Hawks slowly created separation at 18-14, 19-16, and 21-17 before closing it out 25-19 to complete the sweep.

Barnstable’s fast start and defensive presence at the net, highlighted by Thompson’s early dominance, set the tone in a match where DY showed fight but couldn’t regain control after slow starts in the first two sets.