North Andover's Farnum Sisters Star On Court, In Classroom In College

NORTHFIELD, VT — A year after a trio of Farnum sisters shined in volleyball at Norwich University, the remaining two Farnums — who hail from North Andover —continued their standout performances on and off the court this fall.

Sarah Farnum, a senior, and Laura Farnum, a junior, helped the Division III Cadets, from Northfield, Vermont, to a 15-9 record and an 8-5 record in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC).

The 15 victories equaled the team's win total from 2021, when the Cadets also featured Kathryn Farnum, the oldest of the Farnum sisters. Kathryn Farnum had returned as a graduate student in order to share the court with her two sisters. The Farnums attended North Andover High School.

This past fall, Sarah Farnum and Laura Farnum each were named All-GNAC Third Team. The Farnum sisters also were named to the College Communicators Academic All-District Team for their performances on the court and in the classroom.

Sarah Farnum, a setter, finished with 667 assists this past season, averaging 8.42 assists per set, which ranked third in the conference. She also had a career-best 19 aces, 25 kills and was named GNAC Setter of the Week on two occasions.

Sarah Farnum also finished her career ranked second in program history in assists (2,223).

Academically, Sarah Farnum, a mechanical engineering major, carries a 3.90 grade point average.

Laura Farnum, a libero, finished the 2022 season with 380 digs, which were the most in program history and the fourth-best total in the GNAC. She also had 4.87 digs, which was second in the conference. Laura Farnum was named GNAC Libero of the week on four occasions this past fall.

In her career, Laura Farnum, has 686 digs, seventh on Norwich's all-time list. A phycology major, Laura Farnum carries a 3.90 GPA.

Norwich coach Ashlynn Nuckols recalled how memorable it has been coaching the Farnum sisters in recent years.

"To see Kathryn come back as a graduate student so she could play with Laura and Sarah in 2021 was something special," Nuckols said. "Their family dynamic translated to the court and the locker room. I think it was a big part of our success that season. They are each excellent players who have performed equally well in the classroom. But they are even better people."