RallyNorth.net

As the highest seed in the first round of the North sectionals, Lawrence drew a sub-.500 Lowell squad and won in three straight games. Libero Lance Thigpen kept the Lancer offense flowing well with strong back-row ball distribution. Next up for fifth-seed Lawrence will be No. 4 Boston Latin Tuesday on the road at 7 p.m.

Andover volleyball had four injured starters on its bench in a 3-2 loss to Lowell. Some of the players with lesser roles stepped up for the Golden Warriors. Will Gold, who does not normally start, played at outside hitter and had eight kills. Joe Sievers, who also does not start, stepped in at the other outside hitter position and had seven saves. Meanwhile, Jake Sam, who does not play much, came off the bench to record 12 service points and one ace.

Behind the front line prowess of Brett Pettis (team-high 18 kills), James Murray (12 kills) and Andrew Connolly (9 kills and 4 blocks), Haverhill won its first volleyball match of the young season, beating Lowell 15-13 in the decisive fifth game.

 Yorgano "Big Baby" Osoria tallied a team-high 14 kills and six blocks as Lawrence opened its season with a 25-21, 25-21, 26-24 win over Lowell.