Michal leads Central into Division 1 North finals
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Thursday, November, 10
By Christopher Smith
Staff writer
LAWRENCE — Central setter Alexis Michal was named the co-MVP of the MVC recently because she can do so much — pass, set, play defense, serve well and smash down the occasional kill while also hitting perfectly-placed shots over the net exactly where opposing defense aren’t positioned.
Do-it-all Michal showed up again last night, helping lead the No. 2 seeded Raiders to a 25-11, 25-19, 25-21 sweep over No. 3 seeded Reading High in semifinals of the Division 1 North volleyball tournament.
“The position we ask her to play, she touches the ball more often than anybody on the team,” Central coach Gannon Paris said about Michal. “If she’s not having a good night that translates into everybody else not being able to (play well). We look good because she puts us in position to do that. She works hard.”
Michal posted 26 assists, one kill, 12 digs and nine service points, including two aces. She and the Raiders advanced to face No. 1 seed and rival Andover in the Division 1 North final at 6 p.m. tomorrow at Lawrence High School.
Central already has beaten Andover in both matches the two rival schools have played this season. The Raiders won 3-1 on Oct. 11 and 3-1 on Nov. 3.
“We’ve had an incredible season,” Michal said. “No one expected us to come this far and beat Andover. To beat Andover again — we’re just going to have to go in fighting our hardest.”
Michal said she still in a way feels her team is the underdog against Andover despite the two regular-season victories.
“I don’t think they expect us to beat them three times in a row,” Michal said.
Michal was co-MVP of the MVC along with Andover senior hitter Sarah Arvidson.
“Setter, passer, hitter, server — she (Michal) is everything, every aspect we need,” said senior Alex Borrelli who added six kills. “Her sets are awesome. Her serving is very key to our team.”
Michal of Windham transferred to Central after attending Salem High as a freshman.
When Windham built its own high school, Michal transferred to Central instead of enrolling at Windham where there would be no varsity sports her sophomore year.
She started out as a defensive player for Central as a sophomore, earning a position in the backrow when the Raiders went to the state final in 2009. But she was moved to setter last year and earned All-MVC honors in her first year playing her new position.
“She’s had a nice little career here,” Paris said.
Michelle Bouchard added about Michal: “She’s a great hustler.”
Bouchard recorded 21 digs and nine service points. Hunter Tuck added 11 kills.
“I think we have the players and the capability (to beat Andover),” Tuck said. “We’re an improved team since the beginning of the year.”
Borrelli added: “It’s hard to beat a team three times. But if we go in the same way that we did the first two games, I think we’ve got them.”
Paris said tomorrow should be a great match.
“I’ll be anxious from now until then,” he said.
Game Statistics:
Division 1 North Semifinals
Kills: C — Hunter Tuck 11, Alex Borrelli 6, Amanda Williams 6
Blocks: C — Claire Foggo 3
Assists: C — Alexis Michal 26
Service points (aces): C — Britni Spring 10 (3)
Digs: C — Michelle Bouchard 21
