Published in the September 7, 2017 edition

ABBY D’ORLANDO returns as captain for the volleyball team in 2017. The setter is one of nine returning seniors for the Hornets.

ABBY D’ORLANDO returns as captain for the volleyball team in 2017. The setter is one of nine returning seniors for the Hornets.

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

NORTH READING — Last season, the North Reading High volleyball team missed qualifying for the Division 2 state tournament by just one win as they finished 9-10 overall. They were tied for fourth place in the Cape Ann League with Ipswich at 5-7.

Two seniors from that squad graduated but eighth-year head coach Mike Milone did welcome back nine veterans when training camp opened a couple of weeks ago.

The Hornets will be one of the older teams in the league this year as all nine veterans back are seniors.

Abby D’Orlando will be a captain for the second year in a row as the senior is a setter. The other captain is fellow senior, Jenna Forcellese and she is a libero.

There are four other starters back and they are all 12th-graders. Abby Paine is a setter while Noel Riley is a middle hitter. Taylor Moore is a right-side hitter while Lauren Gulbicki is a middle hitter.

“We have had a great preseason,” stated Milone, who teaches at the Little School. “The kids came in ready and in great shape.”

Last week, the Hornets scrimmaged Medford and on Labor Day they went to Greater Lawrence Tech for a jamboree where they faced Methuen, Central Catholic, Winthrop and Wilmington.

North Reading will play a 20-game regular season this fall which is one more than last year. There will also be a new team in the CAL this year as Newburyport makes it an eight-team league.

The Hornets played at Newburyport on Wednesday in the season opener (results not available at press time). The home opener is this Friday afternoon at 5:30 p.m. as rival Lynnfield comes to town.

Next Monday afternoon, also at 5:30 p.m., the Hornets visit Georgetown.