RallyNorth.net

NORTHBOROUGH - Andover knew what it was up against in Wednesday night's state semifinal.

In its inaugural season in Division 1, Central-West Champion Hopkinton continues to prove it belongs with the state's best. A perennial power, the Hillers had won two of the previous three Division 2 state championships.

HAVERHILL — The end seemed unavoidable for Andover volleyball.

The No. 3 seed Golden Warriors had dropped the first two games of the Division 1 North final to top-seeded Methuen, the second by a decisive 25-16 score.

WINCHESTER - Like clockwork, Andover plays its best volleyball when the calendar switches to November.

When the lights are brightest, the Golden Warriors respond.

That trend continued Tuesday night, when No. 3 Andover took down second-seeded Winchester, 3-1, in the Division 1 North semifinals. The win put the Warriors in the North finals for an incredible ninth consecutive year. 

Andover volleyball swept Lawrence 3-0 in the Division 1 North quarterfinals, winning 25-14, 25-21, 25-22. Sarah Shattuck led the way with nine kills and five blocks, and Alexis Mancha also had nine kills. Andover improves to 17-2 and will be at Winchester in the North semifinals on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Lawrence got eight kills each from Alondra Davila and Vielka Sanchez and finishes its season at 16-6.

Alexis Mancha had a season-high 19 kills along with 26 assists and 13 digs as Andover held off upset-minded Central Catholic 3-2 in volleyball. Sophia Wang was also big with 28 assists, 29 service points and 13 digs for the Warriors (15-2). Hallie Dunn had nine kills and 14 service points for Central.

ANDOVER — Two of the top squads in Eastern Mass. squared off with No. 16 Methuen pulling the 3-1 upset (24-26, 25-21, 25-12, 27-25) of previously unbeaten No. 3 Andover.

Haverhill volleyball may have lost to Andover 3-0, but it was a milestone day for Mary Rose Steed, who had 14 digs in the loss to go over 1,000 for her career. Andover was led by Alexis Mancha (11 kills) and Sophia Wang (27 assists).

Junior Alexis Mancha came through in the final two games for Andover, leading the Warriors to a 25-20 win in Game 4 then a convincing 15-6 win in Game 5 to close out a win over Central Catholic. She finished with 14 assists, 16 digs and five aces.

Alexis Mancha had 8 kills, 7 aces and 7 digs as Andover crushed Chelmsford in three games for its second straight win.

Sophia Wang led Andover in assists, aces and digs as the Golden Warriors opened their season with a sweep of Lowell.