BOXFORD – Final season, the Peabody Excessive ladies volleyball crew received 4 of its final 5 to dash its means into the state match. This 12 months, nonetheless, the Tanners have loftier aspirations.
Led by exterior hitter Lizzy Bettencourt, Peabody put forth a tenacious displaying at Masconomet, profitable 3-1 in a hard-fought battle.
“This was a fantastic crew win,” stated Bettencourt (22 kills), one in every of three senior captains who helped energy her crew to victory. “For us, it’s all about belief, particularly with the seniors. We belief one another a lot, and that makes an enormous distinction with our passing, our communication, and our timing.”
After dropping their final contest to North Andover by two factors within the fifth set, Peabody entered this match decided. Sherrill Erickson, who’s in her second season main the Tanners, was notably happy along with her crew’s resolve.
“I used to be pleased with the way in which they communicated,” stated Erickson. “This can be a nice group – a number of them have been taking part in collectively for years, and so they need it. We knew we had been taking part in a tricky Masco crew, however we by no means gave up, even when issues weren’t going our means.”
Peabody (2-1) received the opening set, 25-21, then Bettencourt dominated the second set to take a commanding 18-11 lead. Masconomet then went on a 14-6 run, practically stealing the set earlier than Peabody regrouped to win, 27-25. The Chieftains, who’re the reigning division champions, then performed their most full set, outscoring Peabody, 25-15, to take the fourth.
However there was no fifth set on this matchup. A poised-under-pressure efficiency gave Peabody the fourth set, 25-20, and the victory.
Sydney Lynch and Yorna Demiri, each senior captains for Peabody, had been integral within the crew’s victory.
“These are a few of my greatest buddies, so attending to play one final 12 months collectively means rather a lot,” stated Lynch, a libero who continually had a solution for no matter was despatched her means. “Masco is one in every of our greatest opponents, so we knew we wanted to be powerful. We had been so down after the final recreation, and our vitality picked us up.”
“Optimistic vitality makes us who we’re,” added Demiri, a setter who was icing her proper hand after a stellar efficiency. “We’re all buddies, we’re all type, and all of us maintain one another up.”
Each Masconomet and Peabody play within the NEC Dunn, so this marked the primary of their two conferences. It showcased a battle between two of the league’s most explosive gamers in Bettencourt and Masconomet senior center hitter Cate Wettstone (24 kills), who was sensational in defeat.
For Masconomet (0-4), the loss extends their early season struggles.
“We need to be extra aggressive and restrict unforced errors, however our ladies performed arduous,” stated Masconomet coach Jonathan Wettstone. “Give credit score to Peabody. Their passing was so robust, and Lizzy Bettencourt was so dynamic everywhere in the court docket.”
Bettencourt praised her teammates, noting {that a} full effort was required to notch this win. And for a senior-laden Peabody crew dreaming of a deep run within the state match, this was actually a step in the suitable route.
“It wasn’t straightforward, however all our work paid off,” stated Bettencourt. “Everybody performed arduous and everybody contributed.”
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