<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3lgxX5_0vmhLLWF00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3lgxX5_0vmhLLWF00" width="800" height="492" ><figcaption>Addison Pillis returns a shot while Pentucket attempts to block (John Muldoon photo)</figcaption></figure>Please Support Local Advertisers221by Tom BlakeThe Tigers headed out on Rte. 133 last Tuesday to take on the Georgetown Royals. Ipswich gave them a royal pain in the neck, winning 3-0.The first set saw playing time for Clara Dos Santos, Lily Cummins, and Téa Princi, along with starters Claire Buletza, Addie Pillis, and Frannie Hertz.Hertz opens the set with seven straight service points. Ipswich’s steady defensive play, and strong serving, kept the Royals off-balance.Buletza had some nifty ball placements, and Pillis’ spike sealed the set, 25-12.The second set saw Alex Marino serve seven in a row, and very steady play at libero by Emily Hannibal.The Royals pulled themselves together somewhat, and were hanging around at 16-12.Pillis made two perfectly-timed blocks, then she and Buletza hammered the last several points to wrap up a 25-17 win.With the outcome pretty much a given, Coach Brian Reed was able to get the entire roster some playing time.Princi and Alex Angell each had (visiting) crowd-pleasing spikes. One distraction was the low ceiling in Georgetown’s gym, as both teams had trouble with balls hitting the rafters.Nonetheless, Hannibal and Buletza continued their flawless serving runs, as did Hertz, who had a very strong all-around day. The set ended 25-13.Princi thought that “the team communicated well.” Marino acknowledged that the team knew that they would probably win, and that it was important not to “play down” to the opponent, but “concentrate on the next point.”For the match, Buletza had six aces, seven digs, and 10 kills. Brown had one block, and Marino had 16 assists.The Pentucket Panthers roared into town on Thursday with a sparkling 6-1 record. They left with a 6-2 record. Before a boisterous Den, the Tigers secured a 3-0 victory.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2SiEY0_0vmhLLWF00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2SiEY0_0vmhLLWF00" width="800" height="605" ><figcaption>Frannie Hertz</figcaption></figure><h2>Competition</h2>The first set saw both teams trying to get into forward gear. Most points on both sides were scored on unforced errors rather than organized attack.White, Pillis, and Buletza got things revved up with booming spikes, putting Ipswich up 14-8.Avery Brown had a perfectly-timed block to make it 17-10, and Pillis’ serving wrapped up a 25-18 win.The second set saw Alex Marino hit the first four points, but then the Panthers settled down.Their libero seemingly got every first dig, and they set well. The Tigers were down 15-13 before Buletza got six serves in a row to give Ipswich a 22-17 lead. Hannibal’s three serves wrapped up a 25-20 win.With their energy level well up for the third set, the Tigers charged out to an 8-1 lead behind Marino’s exquisite seven serves.Showing good movement and confidence, the Tigers continued to punch balls in, getting to 12-4 and 19-7.Hertz, Marino, and Hannibal were aided by Julia Reed and Alex Angell, and Buletza’s final spike secured a 25-13 win.Jenny White said that “we have to focus on communication” and that “sometimes there was a tendency to relax.”Coach Reed commended Pentucket’s defense, but also noted that Ipswich’s serving is consistently excellent.For the match, Buletza had an impressive 21 kills. Hannibal had 10 digs, and Marino had three aces and 23 assists.The now 9-0 Tigers hit the road to Newburyport and Lynnfield next week, before returning home Friday to play Triton.<h2>Newsletter</h2>Would you like your week wrapped up? Sign up for our Friday newsletters for a look back and a look ahead. We won't sell (or give away) your email address.The Ipswich Local News is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We can only operate with your assistance.Instead of making a one-time donation, please consider a recurring contribution. You can select whatever amount you wish.Please consider a monthly donation of $10.But support us at whatever level makes you comfortable. Every little helps.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Tigers volleyball continues on a roll

The Tigers headed out on Rte. 133 last Tuesday to take on the Georgetown Royals. Ipswich gave them a royal pain in the neck, winning 3-0. The first set saw playing time for Clara Dos Santos, Lily Cummins, and Téa Princi, along with starters Claire Buletza, Addie Pillis, and Frannie Hertz.