The volleyball team delivered a split week, ending a three-game losing streak with a 3-2 win over host North Reading on Sept. 30 and losing two days later to Ipswich, 3-1, at home to fall to 6-5.
Against Ipswich, the match was tied after two sets with the Tigers taking the first set 25-11 and the Pioneers rallying to take the second set 25-20. Ipswich closed out the match with wins in the next two sets, 25-16 and 25-19.
Audrey Manning had a solid all-around match with 13 assists, 11 digs, three kills, three aces and two blocks. Erin Higdon contributed 11 assists, eight digs, two kills and an ace. Erika Pasquale also delivered a good effort with 13 digs and eight kills.
Chase Carangelo led the team with 10 kills and also had eight digs. Kim Staffieri had a solid defensive game with 11 digs and also had an ace. Ava Vacquerano (3 kills, 2 blocks, 2 digs) and Kacie Lilley (3 digs, kill, block, assist) also contributed.
The match against the Hornets was a see-saw all the way. Lynnfield won the first set 25-19. North Reading evened the score with a 25-14 win in the second set. The next two sets were nail-biters with Lynnfield taking set No. 3 in overtime, 36-24, and the Hornets taking set No. 4, 25-13. Lynnfield put the fifth set away, 15-9, to seal the victory.
Manning had a monster match, finishing with a team-high 18 assists, 10 digs, five kills, five aces and three blocks. Carangelo had a team-high 11 kills, 14 digs, four aces and one block, while Higdon notched 12 assists with seven digs, five aces, three kills and a block. Pasquale notched eight kills, seven digs, four aces and one block. Staffieri (2 aces, 2 assists) was rock-solid on defense with 14 kills. Vacquerano (6 blocks, 5 digs, 3 kills, assist), Lilley (4 kills, 3 blocks, dig) and Willoughby (2 digs) also contributed to the win.
Lynnfield’s next match is Thursday at home against Hamilton-Wenham (6:30 p.m.) as the Pioneers hope to complete a season sweep.
