After press time: North Reading defeats Newburyport 3-1 (Sept. 4)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — Last fall, the North Reading High volleyball team finished at 7-10 overall and 3-8 in the Cape Ann League just missing qualifying for the states by two wins.
Five seniors from that team graduated including three starters. One of them, middle hitter Sami Mutti, was a CAL First-Team All-Star.
When fall practice opened on Aug. 18, 16th-year head coach Mike Milone welcomed back seven veterans.
Four of the players back are this year’s captains: Emery Cordero (libro), Lucy Wells (outside hitter), Emilia Yeakel (opposite hitter) and Sydney Scholz (middle hitter).
Cordero, Wells and Yeakel are all seniors while Scholz is a junior.
Scholz was a CAL First-Team All-Star last year. She was first on the team in kills (148), service aces (41), and blocks (28).
The three other players back are Willow Koepke (junior- setter), Ella Maier (senior- outside hitter) and Ella Yeakel (junior- outside hitter).
During the preseason, the Hornets had one scrimmage as they visited Wilmington on Aug. 27.
“We looked solid,” said Milone, about the preseason. “Our offense was spread out and the team enthusiasm is evident.”
North Reading is slated to play an 18-game regular-season schedule which is one more than last year.
Along with their Cape Ann League opponents, they will have three non-league contests as well.
The three non-leaguers are against Salem, Wilmington and Masconomet.
The Hornets hosted Salem on Tuesday and started with a 3-0 win. A full story will appear next week.
On Thursday, the Hornets have their CAL opener as they visit Newburyport at 5:15 p.m.
The CAL home opener is on Sept. 8 at 5:30 p.m. as they welcome Hamilton-Wenham.
The Hornets then go to Danvers on Sept. 10 to take on Essex Tech. That match will start at 5 p.m.
North Reading is looking to qualify for the states for the first time since the 2022 season.