Published April 15, 2021
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
SOUTH HAMILTON — In their Cape Ann League quarterfinal playoff game on Monday evening, the North Reading High volleyball team won at Hamilton-Wenham, 3-2, in a thrilling back-and-fourth match.
With that victory, the sixth-seeded Hornets improved to 5-6 and visited second-seeded Newburyport on Wednesday night for a semifinal match (results not available at press time).
The third-seeded Generals, meanwhile, ended the year at 6-5.
The Hornets won the first set 25-23 but the Generals won the second, 25-22.
North Reading won set three 25-18 and the Generals evened the match at two winning the fourth set 25-20.
In the final set, the Hornets won a tight, 15-13 decision.
“It was a great win for us,” stated Hornets head coach Mile Milone. “We persevered and were able to overcome a lot of errors we made. This match could have gone either way.”
Sophia Trischitta had nine kills while Anna Bryk had a team-high seven blocks. Abby Gerber had a season-high 38 assists while Liz Kelly led the team in digs (16) and service aces (five).
The Hornets were able to complete the season sweep over the Generals as they won the lone regular-season meeting 3-1 back on March 17 at home.
In their final match of the regular season on Apr. 7, the Hornets fell 3-0 at Lynnfield. The Pioneers, who won the regular-season league title, won the three sets, 25-13, 25-22 and 26-24 to improve to 9-1.
“We were never in synch,” admitted Milone. “They are still a good team but they are not what they have been in the past.”
Bryk had seven kills and five blocks while Sarah Gerber had 13 digs. Her sister Abby had 23 assists.
The Pioneers swept the season series with that win.
The winner of Wednesday’s North Reading vs. Newburyport semifinal will play in the finals on Friday against the winner of Lynnfield vs. Ipswich.
