THE SENIORS were honored before the NRHS volleyball team’s match against Hamilton-Wenham on Monday. Pictured from left to right is coach Michael Milone, Sami Mutti, Ally Newberry, Madison Hopfer, Julia Mulik, Talia Ranieri and coach Hanna Lesch. (Eric Evans Photo)

 

 

 

After press time:
North Reading defeat Triton 3-1 (Oct. 23)

 

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

NORTH READING — The North Reading High volleyball team lost to visiting Hamilton-Wenham on Monday evening, 3-0, as the Generals spoiled the Hornets’ Senior Night.

Hamilton-Wenham won the three sets, 25-23, 25-17 and 25-22.

“We had some nerves with it being Senior Night and we couldn’t close out the sets even though we were close in the first and third ones,” said Hornets head coach Mike Milone.

With the defeat, the Hornets record fell to 6-10 overall and 3-10 in the Cape Ann League as they are going to miss out qualifying for the Division 3 state tournament.

Milone thought that seniors Julia Mulik and Ally Newberry both played well.

Before the match, the five Hornet 12th-graders were honored as Mulik and Newberry were celebrated along with Sami Mutti, Talia Ranieri and Madison Hopfer.

Ranieri, a co-captain who has missed all year due to a knee injury, served the first point of the game before she was removed.

“I really wanted her to get into this game,” said Milone.

 

SAMI MUTTI led the Hornets in kills with 14 in NR’s 3-1 win over Georgetown during NR’s Dig Pink fundraiser night. (Eric Evans Photo)

 

On Oct. 16, the Hornets had their Dig Pink Night to raise money for the fight against breast cancer. It was a win on two fronts for the team as they beat guest Georgetown, 3-1, and raised over $750.

The Hornets won the first two sets, 25-18, and 25-23. The Royals won set three, 25-13, but the Hornets closed the door in the fourth set, winning 25-9.

“We played well in our system,” pointed out Milone, whose squad swept the Royals this year. “We were able to run our offense and passed the ball well.”

Outside hitter, junior Ella Maier, led the team in digs with 12 and service aces with eight.

Hopfer and sophomore Willow Koepke each had 13 assists each while Mutti had a team high 14 kills.

Junior Emilia Yeakel and sophomore Sydney Scholz both had one block.