Published in the November 16, 2017 edition
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — Two members of the North Reading High volleyball team recently received post-season honors from the Cape Ann League. Senior co-captain, Jenna Forcellese, was named to the CAL First-Team All-Stars while fellow senior co-captain, Abby D’Orlando was named to the CAL Second-Team All-Stars.
It is the second year in a row that both girls made those respective teams.
“I gave them the team’s co-MVP’s this year,” said North Reading head coach Mile Milone.
Forcellese, who played libero, led the team in digs while D’Orlando, a setter, led the team in service points, aces and assists.
The team also recently had its awards night and two other players received awards. Senior outside hitter, Seren Ventullo, took home the Coaches Award for the second year in a row. Middle hitter, Lauren Gulbicki, received the Unsung Heroine Award. Gulbicki led the team in kills with 106 while fellow senior outside hitter, Noel Riley had 105 kills.
Along with Forcellese, D’Orlando, Ventullo, Gulbicki and Riley, the Horents will also lose four other seniors to graduation: Katie Lonsdale (outside hitter), Ketelyn DiChiara (outside hitter), Abby Paine (setter) and Taylor Moore (middle hitter).
Milone, who just completed his eighth season at the helm, said will miss his nine seniors who were all contributors this fall.
On Nov. 4, in the first round of the Division 2 North state tournament, the Hornets lost at Arlington Catholic, 3-0, to end the year at 11-9. North Reading finished at 7-7 in the CAL as they tied Ipswich for fourth place.
Next year, the Hornets are slated to return just four veterans.
“We are going to be a very young team,” said Milone.
