×
×
homepage logo
LOGIN
SUBSCRIBE

Volleyball preview: Panthers title defense set to begin

By Tom King - Staff Writer | Sep 19, 2020

Photo courtesy of Nashua Athletics The Nashua South girls volleyball team had a season for the ages last year, and the Panthers will begin their title defense on Monday with the start of an abbreviated regular season, followed by an open tournament..

It was a magical season.

Perhaps the best sports season in the history of Nashua High School South – post Split – had to belong to last fall’s Panthers volleyball team.

An undefeated Division I state championship season. It doesn’t get any better.

But the nucleus and coach of that team are gone, and new Panthers mentor Erica Vendtuoli is set to usher in a new era as the season begins Monday evening vs. Nashua North.

The Panthers, she reminds us, “are led by an outstanding group of seniors who are ready to lead the team to another successful season.”

Let’s take a look at how the area shapes up:

DIVISION I

South has five key seniors back – .middle hitters Alexis Farrell and Kim Hendrick, setter Anne Sherman, plus outside hitters Carol Leigh Leatherman and Natalie Boyle.

“This team has great energy and work ethic,” Vendtuoli, a former North standout, said. “There is depth in every position.”

The Titans, meanwhile, have seven returnees from a very competitive team that went 9-9 last season before falling to Dover in the tourney. Keys include senior libero Jamie Parker, plus juniors Kelsey Laliberte (middle blocker), Mina Renery (defense), Olivia Mazerolle (outside hitter) and setter Mia Lopez.

“We have a group of competitive, talented athletes,” Titans coach Nicole Fitzgibbons said. “The girls are hungry to play and excited they have the chance to compete this season even if it’s abbreviated.”

Indeed, that’s the case, a shorter season but an open state tournament.

Of course, you can’t talk about Division I volleyball without putting a big emphasis on Hollis Brookline, who had its streak of four straight titles snapped in a stunning five-set quarterfinal upset at hands of Portsmouth.

The Cavs return nine players from that unbeaten regular season team, led by seniors Hanna Close (outside hitter), Angelina Leonard (setter), Jess Cooper (libero)and twins Emily and Sarah Dreyer, right side and outside hitter, respectively.

“There’s lots of talent beyond those five,” Cavs coach Becky Balfour said. “We’re hungry to get back to the finals.”

Merrimack has been slowly rebuilding, last year winning three matches but improvement is on the horizon.

Seniors Isabella Smith (setter), Haley Smethurst (right side hitter), Eva Page (middle-outside hitter) and Lindsey Hui (defensive specialist) will be keys.

Whatever happens, the big victory is to be back on the court in the midst of the pandemic.

“We’re happy and grateful to be back playing,” Tomahawks coach Tammy Lambrou said.

Bishop Guertin and Alvirne are hoping to improve from 9-9 seasons a year ago. The Cards have to replace some key graduated seniors while Alvirne hopes to continue the momentum from a strong regular season finish after a 3-7 start.

DIVISION II

Souhegan, which opened up with a win over Pelham Friday night, has last year’s leader in kills, aces, and second in assists, senior Katerina Stuopis back from a 7-9 team that did well after a key injury or two.

Seniors Allison McCall (second in kills and aces, third in digs) and setter Hannah Carroll (injured last year) will also be huge. Sabers coach Andrew Gordon is looking for contributions from other varsity returnees, senior outside hitter Lynn McNamara and junior Caitlin Cooper (outside/middle hitter).

Freshman Annelina Carroll was a huge camp surprise as a libero and junior Lily Bjorgen should also contribute after seeing time late last season.

Expectations? The Sabers did have an unexpected great tryout turnout.

“Tough to tell with such a shortened season,” Gordon said. “We’re just very excited to play and keep building our program.”

Milford has been consistently strong and this year should be no exception. The Spartans lost six seniors from a team that lost to Coe-Brown in the semis, but after that match they were expecting some up and comers to help offset that, including juniors Stella Crosby and Izzy Unsworth.

“The future looks bright,” Spartans coach Mia Malafronte said after last year’s semis loss. “We won the JV tournament, with a lot of talent coming up.”

Campbell, normally in Division III but with a local Division II cohort schedule to stay close to home, has always had a competitive contending team; last year was no exception as the Cougars went 13-6, making it to the semis before being eliminated by Mascenic.

Senior setter Chloe Steiniger leads the returnees, a third year player. Fellow senior Tori Allen is another key, as are juniors Catherine Calignan (also a third year varsity player) and Morgan Bruner.

“We have always been a great defensive team,” Cougars coach Melissa Miner said. “This year we will also have a strong offense and we are looking forward to a successful season in Division II.”

Newsletter

Join thousands already receiving our daily newsletter.

Interests
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *