Andover Boys Volleyball won its first game of the season last Friday, beating Choate 3-1 in an in-league match-up and marking Andover’s first regular season win since 2010.
In the first set, Andover took an early 8-3 lead with the help of Co-Captain Jimmy Philps ’12. He provided Andover with three service points in the early stages of the match.
The lead eventually grew to 12-5, as David Crane ’13 smacked two service points of his own.
With stellar play and great ball-movement, Andover ran away with the set, taking it 25-18.
In the second set, Choate came out fired up, as it pounded perfectly placed shots and eventually took an 11-5 lead. As Andover began to win service points, however, it cut the lead dramatically and eventually tied the score at 16.
Both teams fought hard, trading leads several times over and finding themselves tied up again at 20 all. Soon after, Haonan Li ’13 came up clutch for Andover, as he rifled two consecutive service points and gave his team a 23-21 lead.
Andover went on to take the set 26-24 on a serve by Vidush Mahansaria ’12.
Andover faltered during the third set, however, and Choate won 25-17 to force a fourth set.
During the fourth set, Co-Captains Philps and Marcus Smith ’12, led by example, rocketing four and three service points each, respectively. With this help, Andover shot out to a 12-4 lead.
Later, David Crane added three service points, extending Andover’s lead to 19-11.
After Andover squelched Choate’s five point rally, it went on to win the set 25-18 to clinch the win.
“Jimmy Philps deserves special mention for his crucial seven service point[s] and for his attack in the middle,” said Coach Clyfe Beckwith.
Philps also provided leadership for the team’s newcomers by setting the bar high with his impeccably consistent and clutch play.
It was clear that Andover’s strong play was much more consistent than usual last Friday, as the team’s stellar communication and ball-movement prevailed as decisive factors in the victory.
“The team played fantastically, said Mahansaria. “In perhaps the first time in a long time, we worked very [effectively] on what we needed to improve. Our sets were on the dot, our hits were placed correctly, and our serve-receive could not have been better… It was magical.”
Andover will look to avenge an earlier loss against NMH this Saturday.
