RallyNorth.net

NORTHBOROUGH — Central Catholic looked poised to force a fifth game.

The Raiders, trailing the match 2-1, had a 23-20 lead in game No. 4.

But then something familiar happened — New Bedford star Maura Manley took over.

MELROSE — The Central Catholic bench players stood up withsmiles covering all their faces and paraded over to the right side of the benchto watch match point, eagerly waiting to charge the court and celebrate theirreturn to the state title game.

LAWRENCE – Maybe it was all the emotion wrapped up in last week’s grudge match with Methuen.

Maybe it was just too much Nick LaSpada.

LAWRENCE — Two of the tallest local volleyball programsCentral Catholic and Methuen — who have a combined five key players who are6-feet or more — faced each other in a Division 1 North semifinal yesterday.

Central Catholic gave powerhouse Winchester all it could handle, and it took a pair of overtimes for the Raiders to be beaten.

"It was amazing," said Central coach Anne Marinaro. "It does not get any better than Winchester, and we had them on the ropes."

Unbeaten and top-seeded Central Catholic found smooth sailing in its Division 1 North volleyball tourney opener, crunching Dracut in three straight. Carolyn Eddy dished out 27 assists for the 19-0 Raiders, who were balanced and strong up front. Katie Zenevitch. Kendall Desrosiers and Corrine Gosselin combined for 25 kills for Central, which hosts Methuen in Thursday night's North semis.

Rachel Bourque picked the right time to heat up offensively. She scored twice to lead No. 7 Central Catholic to a 2-0 victory over No. 10 Lowell in the first round of the Division 1 North tournament. 

Central Catholic's boys soccer team lost in the Division 2 North tournament to Wayland, 1-0, desite a strong performance by the Raiders (7-7-4). Senior midfielders Liam Johnson and Dan Caruso and forward Chris Wilbar all played solid games.

METHUEN - Emotion spurs greatness.

The Central Catholic-Methuen athletic rivalry has been forged on that premise.

Last night before a packed house of about 2,000 at Nicholson Stadium, Cal Carroll, Raudy Minaya and the Rangers chiseled out their own chapter in this history matchup, rally from nine points down in a frenzied final 12 minutes.

METHUEN - Emotion spurs greatness.

The Central Catholic-Methuen athletic rivalry has been forged on that premise.

Last night before a packed house of about 2,000 at Nicholson Stadium, Cal Carroll, Raudy Minaya and the Rangers chiseled out their own chapter in this history matchup, rally from nine points down in a frenzied final 12 minutes.