PEABODY — The Peabody volleyball team survived a back-and-forth opening set before settling into a groove Tuesday evening, notching a 3-0 victory over Northeastern Conference foe Marblehead at home. The Tanners won by set scores of 25-21, 25-12, 25-17.
“This was a really exciting game from start to finish, and it was a much better team effort for us than our first game,” said Peabody coach Lisa Keene. “We just played a much more complete game and we improved with every set. It was a great team win.”
Abby Bettencourt had a big game with 12 assists and four kills, while Sarah Broughton had 11 service points and five kills. Isabel Bettencourt added 10 digs and 10 service points, while Alli Flewelling had four kills.
For Marblehead, Keira Sweetnam and Lilah Thompson had four kills each. Julia Potvin finished with eight assists.
“We just struggled to put together consecutive points for most of the match,” said Marblehead coach Killeen Miller. “We made more errors than good plays out there, and you’re never going to perform well when that’s the case.”
The first set was a true battle, with 14 ties and 15 lead changes throughout. Neither team could really pull away from the other, although the Tanners were able to take a 13-8 lead about midway through the set. Then, with the score tied at 21-21, Peabody went on a 4-0 run to close things out. After a kill by Flewelling, the Tanners took the first set 25-21.
Peabody started to settle in as the second set got started, and the Tanners may have played their best volleyball during that set. Peabody jumped out to a 13-3 lead in the opening part of the set before cruising the rest of the way, comfortably taking the set 25-12.
“We only had one service error in that whole set, and that was huge for us,” said Keene. “Communication was also key, and we were able to utilize that well even though we still have plenty to work on in that area.”
In the third set, the Tanners once again jumped out to a big lead, going up 11-4 right away. Marblehead responded with a solid run of its own to get within four points, but in the end Peabody was able to right the ship and notch the final few points to take home the victory.
Marblehead (1-1) plays on the road at Winthrop Thursday evening (5:30).
“I told the team after the game that there’s no use wallowing in this loss, we just have to move on and be better the next time,” said Miller. “We just have to take the positives away from this one, work on the negatives and come back stronger on Thursday.”
Peabody (1-1) travels to Masconomet Tuesday evening (5).
“We have a tough week coming up with games against Masconomet and Danvers, who are both always powerhouses,” said Keene. “We have a lot to work on, but we have a few days now to get some practice in so that will be good.”
