RallyNorth.net

LAWRENCE — Trailing Methuen 1-0 after the first game and 22-20 in the second game, No. 1 seed Central Catholic got the break it needed Friday night in the Division 1 North semifinals.

Andover volleyball knew it faced a massive task in the Division 1 North semifinals, against a North Andover squad that had already beaten the Golden Warriors in the regular season.

But with a trip to the North final on the line, Andover was more than ready to shine.

Central Catholic survived a five-set battle against Bishop Fenwick, winning the last set 15-3, to end the regular season 17-2. Ashlie Dykeman led the Raiders in kills (16) service points (16) and digs (35) and Julia Zargaz had 14 kills and five blocks.

Julia McBride had a huge all-around game to pace the Andover volleyball team to an impressive 3-1 win over an 18-2 Winchester club. McBride had 15 kills, 17 assists and 20 digs for the Warriors (17-3) while Kendra Moore chipped in with 14 kills and six blocks.

Methuen's surging volleyball team tuned up for the upcoming Division 1 tournament with a sweep of Dracut. Abby Sullivan led the Rangers (15-5) with 11 kills and five blocks and Cristina Lucas had 10 service points, including four aces, and five digs.;

Unbeaten Windham volleyball swept Oyster River in the quarterfinals as Taylor Dufield had 25 assists and Kacie Flahive 14 digs.

Marissa Reardon (10 kills, 9 aces), Camille Holleran (10 kills, 3 blocks) and Marisa George (8 assists) starred in their final matches at PMA, a 3-1 win over Nashoba Tech.

Lawrence volleyball finished off its 9-10 regular season with a game sweep of Malden in which Brandey Rodriguez had seven kills and Vielka Sanchez had 12 assists.

Pinkerton volleyball came back from a 2-0 deficit, but ended up losing in the decisive fifth set 15-13 to lose to Hollis-Brookline in the first round of the N.H. Division 1 state tournament. Amelia Graves had 17 kills and Sara Metzger had 34 assists.

Red-hot Abby Sullivan had a season-high 22 kills and 10 blocks as Methuen improved to 14-5 with a 3-1 victory over Lowell. Cristina Lucas led the team in service points and digs.

The Central Catholic volleyball team beat Lawrence 3-0 to clinch the MVC Division 1 title. Julia Zargaj had nine kills and three blocks, Elise Flammia had 15 service points and 15 digs, and Katherine Antczak had 28 assists.

For the first time since 1984, the Greater Lawrence volleyball team failed to make the state tournament. The Reggies (9-10) seemed to be on their way, winning the first two games, but Mystic Valley then won the next three, the last by a 15-12 score after trailing 9-3. Alegna Reyes shined in defeat with 8 kills, 8 blocks, 17 service points and 5 aces.

Methuen's volleyball team continued its excellent season, winning its 12th match but, like most contests against Haverhill, it wasn't easy. Led by junior Abby Sullivan, who had 20 kills and 7 blocks, the Rangers won in five games.

Andover (14-3) volleyball avenged an earlier season loss to rival Central Catholic with a 3-1 win over the Raiders Monday on the road. Jillian Webber had 11 kills, and senior captain Julia McBride had 19 digs. It was Central's (15-2) first loss since its season-opening L to state power Barnstable.

The Lawrence volleyball team  moved closer to .500 and a tournament berth with a sweep of Lowell, improving to 8-9. Brandey Rodriguez had 16 kills and Moralys De La Rosa had 10 aces and played a strong all-around game.