After starting the week with a five-set loss to the tough Dover Green Wave, the Londonderry High School volleyball squad bounced back with victories over John Stark and Timberlane to sit at 10-2 and tied with Dover for third place in the state standings.
The close five-set loss took place in Dover on Monday, May 11, where the Green Wave battled back from a two-set deficit to force a fifth game.
Dover was able to secure its ninth consecutive win and tie the season series with the Lancers.
Londonderry came out strong, winning the opening sets 25-17 and 25-20 and looking confident on the road, but Dover turned the tide in the final three sets, winning 25-17, 25-20, and 15-13.
In that match, Gavin Doughty had 19 kills, an assist, three aces, and a dig. Peter Pispitsos finished with six kills, three blocks, two aces, and a dig. Everett Vago recorded two kills, two blocks, one ace, and two digs. Ethan Saranich had seven kills, four blocks, one ace, and one dig.
Theo Paccione added one kill, 25 assists, three blocks, one ace, and two digs. Gavin Richert finished with two assists, one ace, and nine digs. Liam Evans had one assist, while Dylan Duggan added one assist and five digs. Owen Dembkoski contributed two kills, one assist, and three blocks.
The following day, Londonderry traveled to Weare and swept the John Stark Regional High School Generals 3-0, keeping the Generals winless on the season.
The Lancers won in straight sets, 25-19, 26-24, and 25-15, and the entire team saw time on the court.
Leading the way was Doughty with nine kills, one block, three aces, and three digs. Pispitsos had three kills, one ace, and one dig. Vago contributed four kills, 23 assists, two aces, and five digs, while Saranich added seven kills, one ace, and multiple digs. Kai Hou recorded three digs, and Richert added one ace and three digs.
Dembkoski finished with seven kills and one block, while Ben Bristol had three kills and one block. Colin Evans contributed two kills, seven assists, and one dig, and Jackson Bailey recorded five digs.
Dylan Duggan added one assist, Ben Hotchkiss had one kill, one block, and two aces, and Aiden Gary chipped in with one assist.
The team finished the week at home on Thursday, May 14, against the Timberlane Owls.
Although Londonderry dropped the second set, the Lancers won the other three, 25-21, 25-19, and 25-20, for their 10th victory of the season.
In all, 11 players contributed in the closely contested match.
Doughty led the offense with 19 kills, four aces, and six digs.
Pispitsos added eight kills, two aces, and four digs. Vago finished with four kills, 11 assists, two blocks, two aces, and 11 digs. Saranich recorded eight kills, one ace, one block, and two digs.
Paccione totaled 27 assists, two aces, and three digs, while Richert added two assists, two aces, and 19 digs. Liam Evans had one ace and 13 digs. Duggan and Hotchkiss each recorded one dig, Dembkoski added three kills, and Hou contributed two aces.
The team has two weeks remaining in the regular season and sits tied for third place behind two undefeated teams. The Salem Blue Devils finished the week at 12-0, while Coe-Brown Northwood Academy stood at 11-0.