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.

Phillips Academy won the first game but then dropped three straight to Hotchkiss in the New England prep Class A semifinals. The Big Blue finished its season at 11-2 while Hotchkiss fell to Choate in the finals.

No. 2 Phillips opened the NEPSAC Class A tourney in style, pounding St. Paul's 25-11, 25-16, 25-12. Viola Rothschild notched a team-high seven kills, 18 service points and 16 digs, while Melissa Yan added 18 assists and Sarah Onrato had seven aces for the winners.

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 — 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.

Things never got rolling for Whittier.

The Wildcats, ranked fifth in the Division 3 North sectional, bowed out to No. 8 Notre Dame in the semifinals 25-15, 25-11, 25-19. Notre Dame, which finished the season wth a sub-.500 record (10-11) has made an impressive run to the sectional final. knocking off 20-1 Pope John in its previous match.

North Reading swept Bedford 25-10, 25-12, 25-13 in a Division 2 semifinal contest and advanced to play in the finals at 4 p.m. Saturday at Andover against the winner of today's other semifinal game between Boston English and Melrose.

After an even split of two regular-season matches in the regular season, Whittier Tech had the difference-maker vs. Shawsheen. "Jessica Goulet was just unstoppable at the net," said coach Deb Littlefield after her Wildcats outlasted the Rams, 3-1, in last night's Division 3 North quarterfinal. "Everything she was hitting was going in and down." April Richardson excelled defensively with 35 digs, and Danielle Martin dished out nine assists.

Fellowship Christian's dream season continued with a clutch performance in the Division 3 North volleyball quarterfinals last night with Austin Prep. "I'm really proud of the girls," said coach Correne Chodakowski after watching her Rams douse the Cougars in four games. "Last year, we graduated six seniors, including four starters. It's just awesome to see their effort rewarded by a trip to the (North) semifinals. Chelsea Kirmelewicz was all over the floor, crunching 22 kills with five blocks and 24 digs. Angie Tran ran off seven straight service points on her way to a team-high 16 points with five aces.

Methuen wanted a third shot at unbeaten Central Catholic but had to earn it last night in the Division 1 North volleyball quarterfinals.
On the road at Peabody, the Rangers were forced to shake off some early nerves but still managed to tame the Tanners in three straight, 25-21, 27-25 and 25-12.
"We started a little slow and we actually were down 24-22 in game 2," said Ranger coach Matt Twomey. "Once we settled down with our passing and defense, they really couldn't keep up with us."
Rashidat Agboola was all over the net with 15 kills and seven blocks. Courtney Murach and Ashley Leblanc, who laced a career-best eight kills anchored the front for the Rangers.
Thursday, Methuen gets a third shot at the 19-0 Raiders at Central.