Newton N. finds missing piece
DIV. 1 VOLLEYBALL
Ashley Wang couldn’t be kept off the court this time around.
Newton North’s 6-foot3 junior hitter didn’t play earlier this season in a loss to Barnstable.
But yesterday in the Division 1 state semifinal between the volleyball powerhouses, Wang, who played through a stress fracture in her back, helped Newton North avenge last year’s state final loss to the Red Raiders with a 3-0 victory at Taunton High.
The loss for Barnstable (22-1) snapped a 38-game match winning streak.
“Our team has been working so hard this entire season for this moment,” said Wang, as Newton North advances to Saturday’s state final against Hopkinton. “Watching the first game, I wanted to play so badly. Coming out here and finally getting to play against them was everything.”
Wang (14 kills, 14 assists, three blocks) sparked Newton North (19-1) from the outset and the Tigers jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a 25-16 first-set victory.
It was only the second time this season Barnstable dropped a set.
In a back-and-forth second set, the Tigers prevailed down the stretch, 2522, with a kill from Wang and an ace from Miska Legatova (nine kills).
Newton North’s height neutralized Barnstable’s Riley James (17 kills) just enough for the Tigers to claim the final set, 25-22.
“In the past we have faltered on occasion,” said Newton North coach Richard Barton. “But today we didn’t falter.”
Hopkinton 3, Andover 0 — When Hopkinton moved up to Div. 1 earlier this year, most expected it would take at least a year or two before the the Hillers could get used to the new competition.
Think again. The Hillers (22-2) made quick work of Andover (19-3), sweeping their way to a victory at Algonquin High School to earn a spot in the state final against Newton North.
“All of the (seniors) were starters on the team last year,” Hopkinton coach Margie Grabmeier said. “It’s an experienced team and they’re ready to play.”
Hopkinton coasted by set scores of 25-19, 25-17 and 2519. The Hillers were led by senior outside hitter Amanda Gilbert, who carried the attack with 10 kills. Allison Leeret had a big night as well, finishing with 17 digs.
A win Saturday would make it three times the Hopkinton senior class had captured a state title.
But unlike the last two, it will have to be done against a longtime Div. 1 powerhouse.
“This is my last season,” Gilbert said. “We feel like we want to lead the team to another championship. . . . But we don’t really let the pressure get to us. We just feel focused, play hard. No one really cracks under pressure on our team, so I think that’s going to help us a lot.”