Andover 3-Choate 1 (25-22,25-22, 23-25,25-18)
Thank you to the boars for traveling this long distance on a rather wet and very humid day in the gym. A good hard-fought win for PAVB.
In the first set the two teams exchanged the lead several times until 8-8, at which point Sarah Beth Sirmon fired off 6 service points in a row, giving Andover a lead for good. Choate, however, fought back to 22-23 before Andover could seal a 25-23 1-0 advantage.
In the second set, much like the first, a give and go, Choate ahead 6-4 when Kate Rodgers bulleted 4 consecutive service points for an Andover lead of 9-6. Choate would regain the lead for as much as a 20-17 advantage, but Wendy Wang reversed that lead to a 23-21 advantage and an eventual 25-22 2-0 lead.
In the third set, again, a back-and-forth to a 7-7 tie, lead changes until a Choate advantge of 14–12, 16-13, 20-17 lead. Even though Andover brought it back from a 19-23 deficit to a score of 22-23, two Andover missed serves gave Choate a cone-back opportunity as they sealed a 25-23 win for a 2-1 Andover advantage.
In the fourth set Andover quickly jumped to a decisive lead on Kate Rodgers serve from 3-4 to 11-4, and again Kate later from a 16-11 to a 21-11 lead. Andover clinched the match with a 25-18 win.
Some incredibly hard hit balls, some spectacular defense/saves, amidst some painful touches and shanked balls. Overall highly entertaining volleyball to a faithful crowd.
Gratitude to our fans, parents, and athletics staff. PAVB looks ahead to hosting Austin Prep on Wednesday and traveling to SPS ON Friday of next week.