Sunapee Volleyball Sweeps Newfound on Senior Night

Well there was plenty to celebrate in Sunapee Wednesday night as the second-ranked volleyball team in Division III celebrated Senior Night before its final game of the regular-season.

The Lakers honored the contributions of seniors Katie Titus, Haley Emery, Laura Sullivan, Rachel Malanga and Abby Palin prior to the game, before rattling off a 13th straight victory and 14th sweep of the season. Sunapee fought its way to relatively comfortable 25-18 and 25-17 wins in the first two sets, before a much more tightly contested third set in which the home team eventually won 25-23.

And it was senior Rachel Malanga who helped lead the way from the service line, finishing with a match-high six aces on a 12-for-15 performance. Elsa Pierson added five aces for the Lakers, while senior Laura Sullivan chipped in with two in a 12-for-14 effort.

Senior Abby Palin continued her solid play of late as well, leading the team with seven digs in the contest. Coach Tom Reney’s team will now shift focus to the playoffs, after having come up short in two recent trips to the semifinals.

Mike Pezone spoke with Senior Rachel Malanga after the match to ask about the emotions of Senior Night, and her team’s mindset going forward.

The Lakers will begin what they hope will be a deep tournament run next Thursday when they host an opponent to be named later.