Dover High’s defending Division I state champion volleyball squad kicked off their season with a wild 3-2 win over Goffstown. Talk about a nail-biter right out of the gate for the Green Wave! Individual game scores tell the story: 21-25, 25-21, 12-25, 25-22, and a clutch 15-12 in the decider. That’s a gut check, and these champs passed it.
Flynn Steps Up Big in Opener
When the pressure was on, Avery Flynn delivered huge. She absolutely dropped 29 assists and 13 digs in that five-set marathon. That’s a monstrous performance to open the season, keeping the offense humming and making key defensive plays. Not just Flynn, though; Molly O’Connor came through with nine kills and four aces, while Rylen Marchione added seven kills and three blocks. Coach Whitney Carrier summed it up perfectly, saying, “It was a great win. We have spent a lot of time in preseason putting ourselves in difficult situations so we can learn how to deal with the stress and pressure of struggling through something, and that paid off tonight. They worked really hard as a team and I’m proud of them.” That mindset, pushing through the tough spots, is exactly what you want from your defending champions.
Dominance Across the Board
It wasn’t just Dover volleyball making noise. Exeter’s Division I squad also grabbed a 3-1 win against Nashua South, with Sophie Provost putting up nine kills, eight digs, and four aces. Lilly Dale and Jasmine Winham chipped in with 16 and 14 assists, respectively. Over in another Division I thriller, Winnacunnet volleyball snatched a 3-2 victory over Alvirne, thanks to Emily Pitfick’s 36 assists and five digs. Nadia Johnson, Colette Neves, and Daniela Araujo all had big games for Winnacunnet. And get this: Oyster River, the defending Division II state champions, pulled off a clean 3-0 sweep against Plymouth, with Lizzie Lynskey and Addie Bower absolutely starring in that win.
The Green Wave’s success wasn’t limited to the court either. Dover’s girls’ soccer team blanked Nashua North 3-0 in their Division I opener. Kathleen Lynch, Khloe Healey, and Rachel Moore all found the back of the net, and Kaitlyn Bastille dished out two assists. Goalie Norah O’Malley stood tall with nine saves, shutting down everything sent her way. Plus, the Dover boys’ cross country team took first place at the seven-team Jamie Martin Cross Country Invitational, placing four runners in the top 16, led by Nil Anderson’s fourth-place finish. And the girls’ cross country squad followed suit, also winning the invite with Janelle Poulin leading the charge in first place overall.
What a start to the season for these squads! With so many teams already showing serious grit and talent, the early season buzz is real. Keep your eyes peeled as Dover looks to build on this momentum, especially with their defending champion status on the line. Every game moving forward will be a test, and if these openers are any indication, we’re in for some wild rides!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply