Published September 26, 2019
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — The North Reading High volleyball team got back in the win column on Monday afternoon as they beat visiting Peabody 3-1 in a non-league match. With that win, the Hornets improved to 2-5.
The Hornets won the first two games, 25-22 and 25-18. The Tanners, a team out of the Northeastern Conference, won game three 25-18, but the Hornets closed it out with a 25-20 win in game four.
“We are starting to turn a corner,” said North Reading head coach Mike Milone. “Our offense played fairly consistent.”
Inga Plavina led the Hornets in kills with 11 while Kristina Valenti was second with eight.
Junior co-captain, Liz Kelly, led the squad in digs with 17.
RACHEL PERRY and the Hornets beat Peabody 3-1 on Monday. They host Pentucket on Friday at 5:30 p.m. (John Friberg Photo)
Can’t control Tigers
On Sept. 20, the Hornets lost at home to Ipswich 3-0. That loss dropped the team to 1-5 in the Cape Ann League.
“We had a terrible start in the first game and were not able to recover,” said Milone.
The Tigers raced out to a 12-1 lead in the first set and never looked back as they won 25-12. Ipswich then won the next two games, 25-18 and 25-20.
Fall to Clippers
On Sept. 18, North Reading lost at Newburyport 3-1. The Clippers won the first two sets, 25-11,and 25-18. The Hornets won the third set, 27-25, but Newburyport closed the match out with a 25-20 win in game four.
“They are a one-dimensional team with one fantastic player (Sydney Yim),” said Milone. “She is a great server and she was the difference.”
Shayla Wilk led the Hornets in kills with five and service aces with four.
This Sunday, the team will do some team-bonding as they will participate in the Making Strides of Boston cancer walk that the teams have done for the past several years.
North Reading’s next match will be on Sept. 27 as they host Pentucket at 5:15 p.m. On Oct. 2, they welcome Georgetown, also at 5:15 p.m.
