RallyNorth.net

Knights spike way to finals

Surprising North Andover will be playing for its first sectional volleyball title Monday (4:30 p.m.) at Westford Academy.

The Knights (11-4), who were 12-68 since the program started in 2016, earned that right by defeating Winchester 3-1 in Friday's North semifinals.

The Knights won the first two sets, 25-18 and 25-23, before dropping the third, 25-23, but they bounced back right away with a 25-21 set to close out the match.

Liam Ross led the Knights at the net, as he often does, with 18 kills, but he got good help from Clay Ursu with 10 kills. Jacob Colon had 34 assists and Andrew Matzourainis was impressive with five blocks. Andrew Jones chipped in with 11 digs.

"Liam Ross did a great job because he was getting triple blocked but he fought through it," said head coach Michael Scammon. "And our setter, Jacob Colon, was phenomenal the way he was running our offense.

"Really, everyone played great. This is definitely the best we've played all year."

As for Westford Academy (13-2), Scammon said that it has a tremendous blocker and two excellent passers as well as good players at the net, "but Winchester was similar. I said to my assistant after we won the first set that if we play like that, we can beat anyone."