SYDNEY SCHOLZ paced the Hornets with 11 kills in NR’s 3-2 victory over Pentucket on Sept. 11. (Eric Evans Photo)

 

 

After press time:
North Reading falls to Newburyport 3-1 (Sept. 23)
North Reading falls to Hamilton-Wenham 3-2 (Sept. 19)

 

 

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

NORTH READING — On Tuesday evening, the North Reading High volleyball team faced a very tough task. Not only was it their second match in two days, but they had to visit undefeated Ipswich.

The Tigers, who have won the Division 4 state title the past three years, won this match 3-0 to go to 6-0 overall and 5-0 in the Cape Ann League.

North Reading, meanwhile, fell to 3-2 overall and 2-2 in the CAL.

Ipswich won the three sets, 25-14, 25-17 and 25-19.

“They are strong everywhere,” stated Hornets head coach Mike Milone. “They have eight or nine seniors and are the best team we have seen by a comfortable margin.”

The night before, the Hornets won up in Salem, 3-1, in their first non-league match of the season.

The Hornets won the first set, 25-15 but the Witches won the second one, 25-20.

North Reading then closed the match out winning the third set, 25-14, and the fourth, 25-15.

“We were a little shorthanded but Madison (Hopfer) took the bulk of the leadership and control in this match,” said Milone, about the senior co-captain.

Another player that Milone praised was Sydney Scholz.

“She was a powerhouse on offense,” said Milone.

On Sept. 11, the Hornets were taken to the limit by guest Pentucket but were able to escape with a narrow, 3-2, win.

North Reading stormed out of the gates in the first two sets winning, 25-14, and 25-13.

However, the Panthers then won the next two sets by the same, 25-23, score to tie the match at two.

The Hornets then won the final set, 15-13.

“We came out like gangbusters those first two sets but Pentucket started making less mistakes and their libero had a big day,” explained Milone. “We showed a lot of perseverance that final set.”

Scholz had 11 kills and five blocks while Willow Koepke led the team in assists with 21 and service aces with six.

The team leader in digs was Sami Mutti who had 17.

On Sept. 19, the Hornets visit Hamilton-Wenham at 4:30 p.m. They then host Newburyport at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 23.

North Reading then welcomes Triton on Sept. 25 with that match also starting at 5:30 p.m.