Sports

Andover Sweeps Exeter; Ward ’12 Runs the Offense with 27 Assists and 2 Kills

Andover demolished Exeter in front of a packed home crowd to close out the season with a top seed in the NEPSAC tournament. The first set opened with a 5-1 lead earned on four service points from Co-Captain Jamie Shenk ’12. Control of the set switched back and forth throughout the set, as the lead swapped five times during the set. With the score tied at 22, Shenk stepped up to serve again, and closed out the set, 25-23. In the second set, Andover’s energy swelled with the steadily increasing volume of the crowd. Taking the 25-18 with a service run by Chioma Ngwudo ‘11. Andover fought to maintain focus and energy in the third set. Both teams fought for points at the start of the set, with neither team able to gain a significant advantage. Finally, on three serves from Shenk, three from Ngwudo, and another four from Co-Captain Kemi Amurawaiye ‘11, Andover opened up and secured a large lead, finishing the match 25-14. “It was amazing to play in front of a home crowd and even better when we walked away with the win,” said Amurawaiye. Leading the way on offense, Zoe Roschach ’12 earned ten kills and successfully hit an additional eight. Along with an impressive performance at the net with four stuff blocks, Amurwaiye racked up two aces. Shenk earned three kills and three aces. Middle hitter Alexi Bell ’13 earned four kills and earned five stuff blocks. Setter Chelsea Ward controlled the offense with 27 assists and earned two kills of her own. On defense, Sarah Onorato posted 28 digs, Shenk added an additional 21, and Ward earned 13. Ranked first with a 12-1 record, Andover crushed St. Paul’s in the quarter finals at home on Wednesday. In the opening set, neither team could gain a decisive lead until Amurawaiye stepped up to serve and earned four points to give Andover a 7-3 lead. St. Paul’s bounced right back and tied the score again at eight, but Bell served five consecutive balls to re-secure Andover’s advantage. With more serves from Amurawaiye and McGloin, this time Andover maintained their lead and pulled out a 25-19 win. Early in set two, Andover quickly found themselves down 7-2. Amurawaiye brought Andover back ahead with an aggressive nine-point streak. With this momentum, Andover pushed to finish the game 25-16. In the third set, the score was deadlocked four times before Andover came together, reset, and managed to take the lead. Andover shutdown St. Paul’s offense and closed out the game 25-14. Out of 19 successful swings, Roschach recorded ten kills. Bell earned seven kills and four stuff blocks. Shenk and Amuawaiye each swung for four kills of their own. Setting 29 assists, Ward earned an ace and nine more serves. On defense, Roschach dug 19 balls including and Ward picked up another 16. After defeating St. Paul’s in the quarter-finals, Andover will play this Saturday at Deerfield against fifth- seeded Choate in the semi-finals.