RallyNorth.net

Andover Golden Warriors Girls Volleyball '10

Wed, Nov 17, 2010 07:00 PM @ Andover
Team 1 2 3 4 5 Final
Barnstable 15 23 25 29 15 3
Andover 25 25 20 27 9 2
CARL RUSSO/Staff photo. The Andover Warriors  were defeated by Barnstable three games to two in Division I State Semi-Final volleyball action Wednesday night. Andover fans cheer for their team.  11/17/2010.     » Staff PhotographerMore photos

Cronin, Warriors take comfort in ‘unbelievable season’

  • Currently 0.0 with 0 votes.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Thursday, November, 18 By David Willis
Staff writer

BRIDGEWATER — Brushing away a few tears, Andover’s Moira Cronin allowed a brief smile to show through her sadness.

“This is a tough way for it to end,” she said. “But it has been one unbelievable season. On the bus ride home, we’re not going to sit in silence. Even though we lost, even though we’re sad, we’re still going to sing and be our same goofy selves. That’s the kind of team we are.”

Andover volleyball’s dream season came to a tough end last night with a 15-25, 23-25, 25-20, 29-27, 15-9 loss to Barnstable in the Division 1 state semifinal.

“It hurts now,” said Golden Warriors coach George Sullivan. “But in time, they’ll feel better. They’ll remember the good things. We certainly gave (Barnstable) all it could take.”

Last night was the lone blemish on an otherwise spotless season for the Golden Warriors, who finished 24-1 and dropped just one set all season heading into last night.

“It was amazing,” said Andover standout junior Elise Brogan. “It is hard to see it all end like this. But it was such a great opportunity to connect with these girls, and the memories will last a lifetime.”

Despite facing their first adversity of the season last night, the Golden Warriors nearly did rally back to take the fourth game, and briefly took the lead in the final game.

“That was the best Andover team I have seen by far,” said 23-year Barnstable head coach Tom Turco. “(Andover setter) Annie Ye is one of the best kids I have seen in a long, long time. She has tremendous skills. No team had taken a 2-0 lead on us all season.”

The 24 wins were the most for a Golden Warriors team since The Eagle-Tribune began keeping records in 1989, and it was their second season with just one loss along with 1999 (22-1).

“Going through the regular season undefeated was very special,” said Ye. “There are many memories. We really bonded so well. We fought until the end, but it really isn’t a consolation today.”

Brogan, who Sullivan called an unsung hero, was stellar at the net with 13 kills.

“I will never forget this season,” said Brogan, “It was so hard to watch them (celebrate). It feels like it was all for naught. But we still did some great things.”

Cronin, whose athletic future lies in track, took the time to embrace each of her crying teammates following the loss.

“This was my last volleyball game ever,” said Cronin. “It’s a tough way to go out, but it was still a great year. I can’t believe how a crazy group of girls like us could play so well for so long. We had amazing comebacks and wins. I am so happy that I could be around these girls and be a part of this season.”

Game Statistics:

Kills: B — Kaylee Deluga 21, Aine Cole 13; A — Sarah Arvidson 14, Ava Bakhtari 10

Assists: B — Kayla Crook 46; A — Annie Ye 38

Service points (aces): B  — Sarah Colby 16 (5); A — Marcela Famiiiar-Bolanos 18 (3)

Digs: A — Ye 17 

Additional stories:

0 Story Comments