Crusaders Fall in D-2 Central Girls Volleyball

Selena Giroux and Ashley Beauchamp with 12 and 11 kills respectively, led No. 11-seed Marlborough (10-9) past No. 6 Groton-Dunstable (14-7) in straight sets, 25-12, 25-15, 25-22 in First Round MIAA Division 2 Central Volleyball action.

Both teams appeared cautious early with lead changes on almost every serve. With senior Alexa Busser serving, Crusaders tied first set at 8-8 before Marlborough's Jamie Zompa , hitting low hard serves, ran 10 straight points giving Panthers an 18-8 lead on the way to 25-12 win.

  Crusaders jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the middle set, eventually going up 11-7 with strong play by senior Riley Rogers and freshman Rose O'Malley serving. Marlborough called a time-out, regained their composure and took control with a 12-3 run punctuated by a terrific kill from Ashley Beauchamp.

Crusaders battled in third set with long volleys, scrapping back from a 17-13 deficit, eventually knotting score at 18-18 with Sarah Georges serving. Back and forth, with ties at every point until Marlborough ran two straight to take the third set 25-23.