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Serena Laro played well offensively for Peabody in its 3-0 win over Billerica.
By MIKE ALONGI
Thanks to a great all-around team effort, the Peabody volleyball team cruised to a 3-0 win over No. 13 Billerica in the first round of the Division 1 North tournament on Thursday evening. The No. 4 Tanners won 25-18, 25-10, 25-21.
“Our defensive game has really stepped up over the past few weeks,” said Peabody coach Lisa Keene. “And our mental game, making the right plays in the right situations, might be the best of any team I’ve ever coached.”
Hannah Kemp had a big day with 23 assists and four kills, while Melissa Gray had 12 kills and Nene Onwuogu had nine kills. Lexie Zammer and Serena Laro also had solid offensive games. Joanna Bampi, Alyssa Alperen and Tatiana Correia all played well on defense for Peabody (16-4).
The Tanners will face off against the winner of No. 5 Methuen and No. 12 Medford tomorrow evening at 6 p.m.
“We know we’ll be in for a great game no matter who we face,” Keene said. “We just have to keep doing what we do well and we’ll see what happens.”