Sept. 2, 2010

The middle was just fine, but the beginning and end of the first decade of the 21st century produced the premier girls volleyball players in the Eagle-Tribune region.

In a decade in which Salem, Andover, and Central Catholic enjoyed tremendous success on the state level, it's not surprising that all three teams had at least two players on the Eagle-Tribune All-Decade team, and two of them battled for Player of the Decade honors.

In what was a difficult choice, Salem 2002 graduate Karen Harrington earned the nod as the decade's top player over Central Catholic's Carolyn Eddy, a promising freshman at UMass Lowell next year.

There are no statistics to back up this choice. As was the case with the rest of our All-Decade team, it was entirely subjective, but those who watched Harrington play would certainly applaud the choice.

She starred at UNH and was the 2001 Eagle-Tribune MVP.

The All-Decade team was not easy to pick, and our nine-player team leaves out such standouts as Salem's Casey Stoodley and Amanda Saab, Andover's Meghan Thomann, Pinkerton's Sarah Boss, Central Catholic's Adrienne Boss.

But those chosen were certainly highly deserving, starting with Harrington.

KAREN HARRINGTON, Salem -- A two-time Eagle-Tribune MVP in softball, Harrington instead went to college in volleyball. She is believed to be the first New Hampshire native to receive a full scholarship at UNH in the sport and the first Salem player to earn a full scholarship for volleyball.

At UNH, the imposing 6-foot-1 Harrington enjoyed a fine career, making the America East All-Rookie team her first year and starting on two America East championship squads.

The Class L Player of the Year her senior year, Harrington was a monster at the net with 200 kills, leading the team in that category as well as blocks and service points. The three-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star was brilliant no matter where coach Michelle Cassedy put her.

"Some players are good at one particular thing they do, but Karen is just amazing all-around," said Cassedy. "And she's a great leader. ... She is a cut above the rest."

Carolyn Eddy, Central Catholic -- A four-year starter, three-year Eagle-Tribune All-Star and two-time All-Scholastic, the 5-foot-5 Eddy burst on the scene as a freshman. Superb as a setter and defensive player, she earned all-MVC honors all four years, led Central to three MVC Division 1 titles and into the Division 1 state finals last year.

As a senior, the UMass Lowell recruit was Eagle-Tribune MVP and Eastern Mass. Division 1 MVP.

JADITH LORENZO, Lawrence -- Another star from the outset, Lorenzo was a four-year team MVP, capping her career as the 2008 Eagle-Tribune MVP. One of seven volleyball players in the last 20 years to be named a three-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star.

All-Scholastic as a junior and senior, Lorenzo was touted by 25-year Lawrence coach Bill Brouder as the best player ever at the school. She played virtually every position for the Lancers.

As a freshman at Bryant University last year, Lorenzo continued to shine. Despite missing the first half of the season, her .946 serve percentage ranked her 12th all-time at the school. She already ranks 17th on the all-time list for assists.

CHRISTINA SADOWSKI, Salem -- A terrific all-around player, Sadowski was the Class L Player of the Year for Salem in 2003 and helped the three-year starter helped the Blue Devils to the 2001 Class L final. She was an even better player at Bentley College. She became the school's all-time leader in hitting, was named to the All-Northeast-10 team three straight years and was the 2007 NE-10 MVP.

COLLEEN EDDY, Central Catholic -- Carolyn Eddy's older sister, she paved the way as a mentor. The MVC Division 2 MVP in 2002, she was a tremendous hitter and even better server. Remembered for her stunning 26 service points in a comeback win over Arlington in the state tournament. She was a four-year starter at Southern New Hampshire University, where she broke the school record for digs and was the Northeast-10 Libero of the Year as a senior.

SAMANTHA KERIVAN, Andover -- She became the second volleyball player to repeat as Eagle-Tribune MVP when she won the award for the second time in 2005. The MVC Player of the Year led the Golden Warriors to their first appearance in the state finals in school history. An imposing 5-foot-11 middle hitter, she had 234 kills as a senior, had a 92 percent serving percentage with 19 aces and was superb defensively.

ASHLEY McLAUGHLIN, Andover -- McLaughlin was a superb basketball player, who went on to play hoops at Holy Cross, but many people believed her best sport was volleyball. An Eagle-Tribune MVP and All-Scholastic as a senior in 2003, the 6-foot-1 McLaughlin was overwhelming athlete at the net and was a tremendous team leader. She was a three-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star.

ALANA McNEIL, Central Catholic -- The two-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star was a powerhouse at the net, leading Central in kills and blocks as a senior in 2003. The three-sport Eagle-Tribune All-Star had some great battles at the net with Andover's Ashley McLaughlin. At St. Anselm, she set a school record for career kills and was a co-captain as a senior.

JESSICA CEGARRA, Timberlane -- In select company as a three-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star and our 2002 MVP. Class L MVP as a senior. Explosive 5-foot-10 athlete. Three-sport All-Star won Max Bishop Award as region's top three-sport athlete. Was a four-time All-Northeast 10 player at Bryant where she also set the school shot put and heptathlon records.