Merrimack takes out North

Friday, November 11, 2011

DERRY – On a night of wild, almost inconceivable comebacks, top-seeded Merrimack held on to outlast Nashua North in the fifth and deciding game, 17-15, to earn a spot in Saturday’s Division I volleyball final for the first time since 2000.

The North-Merrimack battle had a little bit of everything, including what proved to be a match deciding referee’s call in the final game.

North was penalized for serving out of order, giving Merrimack an 11-10 lead. North would come back to lead 14-12, before Merrimack was able to put it away.

North led 24-16 in the opening game, only to have Merrimack rally to take a 26-24 decision. Standout senior Maggie Kenney scored the final two points of the comeback with a kill and a tap between two defenders.

Merrimack went on to win the second game 25-19 and put the Titans on the brink of elimination by taking a 13-6 lead in the third game.

But North rallied to win 29-27, then outlasted Merrimack in the fourth game 25-23 to tie the match.

North got a huge night from senior Emily Boots, who finished with 24 kills, and Abbey Miller, who had 29 serves and five kills. Katelyn Roeser chipped in with 30 digs and 19 serves while Bridget McCarthy finished with 20 serves and 29 assists for the Titans, who also got 17 serves frp, Erica Vendituoli. The Titans finished 16-5.

Merrimack setter Brianna McCarthy had 61 assists and 23 digs, while Maggie Kenney would finish 25 kills, 21 digs, five aces and three blocks. Allison Latham added 17 kills for the winners.