Published April 29, 2021
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — Two members of the North Reading high volleyball team made the Cape Ann League All-Star team this season. The league coaches recently voted on the CAL First and Second Team All-Stars.
Sarah Gerber made the CAL First Team All-Stars. The senior middle hitter led the team in digs (120), serving percentage (95 percent) and she was second on the Hornets in kills (79), aces (27) and blocks (10).
“She was a fantastic player for us,” said Hornets head coach Mike Milone. “She was very hard-working and goal-oriented. I wish I had her for all four years.”
Geber is a transfer who played just this season for the Hornets. Her younger sister, Abby, was also on the team this year and she will be a junior next season.
Senior co-captain Liz Kelly made the CAL Second-Team All-Stars. The outsider hitter was a two-year captain and she played on the team for three years. She was an All-Atar last year as well.
She had 64 kills, 118 digs and led the team in service aces with 36.
“She never came off the court for us,” recalled Milone. “She was the foundation of our defense.”
Along with Gerber and Kelly, the Hornets will also lose five other 12th-graders to graduation: Sophie Trischitta (opposite hitter and setter), Celia Standel (libro), Christina Valenti (outside and middle hitter), Anna Bryk (middle hitter) and Jess Solecki (outside hitter).
Trischitta and Standel were the two other captains.
They also lose team manager Shannon Alley.
“A majority of those girls have been with me since their sophomore year,” said Milone, who just completed his 11th-year at the helm. “They set the tone for us and I am really going to miss them. They were a great group.”
In September, the Hornets will return just four veterans.
“We are going to have a lot of spots available next season and, hopefully, some of the junior varsity players will be able to step up,” said Milone.
This season, the Hornets reached the CAL championship game before losing to host Lynnfield on April 16. North Reading beat Hamilton-Wenham, 3-2, in the quarterfinal round and then won by forfeit over Newburyport in the semifinal round.
Overall, they finished at 6-7.
