North Andover Volleyball Defeats North Reading for First Time Ever

The North Andover High School volleyball team had not defeated its rival North Reading, since the creation of the schools' volleyball program nine years ago, but that all changed Wednesday night on the teams' senior night after an emotional and hard-fought 3-1 match victory.

"We've been a program for nine years, and in those nine years North Andover had never beaten North Reading," said North Andover Coach Veronica Schaefer.

"Last year, we only had two losses, and they both were to North Reading, so tonight was the first time in North Andover volleyball history that we took them out. Not only that, but they were undefeated so we just handed them their first loss of the season," she added. 

Despite graduating 10 seniors last year, the Knights brigade of youngsters showed their skill and desire when they became the first team to accomplish what their older siblings failed to do before them.

"Four siblings of former players are on the current team, so all of them got on the phone afterward to call up their sisters and say 'Guess what? We did it,'" said Schaefer. "A lot of these parents have been watching their daughters for years, so it is really great to finally beat them."

North Andover also exhibited its staying power when it clinched a State Tournament berth after defeating Wilmington last week. 

The Knights' four seniors, Alyssa Noyse (captain), Cera McCarragher, Jill McVey, and Siobhan Holland were honored and praised for their devotion to the team before the start of the match.

The seniors received roses from family members, and underclassmen made speeches about the impact the seniors have made on them throughout their time playing with the Knights. 

The North Andover seniors also presented roses to the North Reading seniors before the start of the match, as well. 

All four matches were extremely close, as North Andover pulled out game one by only four points, 25-21. North Reading came out strong in set two, however, and tied things up with a 25-17 set victory.

Not to be outdone on their senior night, the Knights responded with aggression in sets three and four, taking the next two consecutive games, 25-14 and 25-16. With the rally, North Andover clinched the victory it had been waiting for for nearly a decade.

"We graduated 10 kids last year so the odds were against us to have such a great season, and we have four seniors and all of them played tonight," said Schaefer.

"Its just a great feeling, it's like going to Disney World," she added.

Next up, the Knights will take on Masco on the road on Friday at 4 p.m. It will be a tough task to top the excitement in the air on Wednesday, but North Andover will try to keep their win streak going as the regular season winds down. 

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