Melrose volleyball put together current and former players for a fundraiser and gathering this afternoon. Many thanks to Assistant Coach Athena Ziavras who helped put it together.
Click to enlarge. Just a few of the many outstanding players who have come through the program. Back row (left to right) - Coach Celli, Sarah McGowan, Brooke Bell, Athena Ziavras, Paula Sen, Marissa Cataldo, Kelly O'Neil, Hannah Brickley, Laura Irwin, Liz Sheerin, Karen Sen, Coach Wall Front row: Emma Randolph, Nicole Abbott, Daniela Cataldo, Julia Symonds, Erin Torpey, Cat Torpey, Lily Fitzgerald, Victoria Crovo
Congratulations to Victoria on being named Middlesex League volleyball MVP. I'm sure that her first thoughts are appreciation to her coaches and teammates who made that honor possible.
She is one of the great competitors in Melrose athletic history.
Images courtesy of Steve Karampalas Melrose enjoyed another successful season, playing its toughest non-league schedule ever and seeing competition ramp up within the Middlesex League. Legendary Coach John Wooden simply reminded his players, "don't whine, don't complain, and don't make excuses." Success is doing your best; that won't always win.
Melrose has enjoyed an almost endless streak of Middlesex League dominance. Burlington upset Melrose earlier this season absent Victoria Crovo and Melrose still grabbed a share of the ML title. But last night, Melrose traveled to Winchester only to be knocked out by an epic Sachem comeback in the fifth set.
Melrose started fast and pounded out an early 7-1 lead behind three early Crovo kills. But the Sachems responded to get ties at 7 and 8 and a 12-9 and 14-10 lead. But trailing 16-13, Melrose went to work with Victoria in the front row powering home 4 kills to go up 22-19...and finishing out the set 25-21. Winchester would not be denied in the second set, leading 11-6 before Melrose struck back to lead 18-15. But the home team captured 10 of the final 12 points to even the score. Crovo had three kills, Lydia Lombardo and Cat Torpey a pair apiece but not enough offense to win. Melrose exploded to a 12-3 lead in set 3 and was never seriously challenged. Lily Fitzgerald set the table with Crovo delivering double-digit kills (11) and Cat and Saoirse Connolly adding a pair in a 25-17 rout. Once again, Winchester stole the momentum leading 14-4 and never seriously challenged despite four Crovo kills, three from Saoirse and two from Cat. Melrose got as close as 18-15, but Winchester again closed out strongly. The fifth and final set saw an improbable finish. Melrose led early 5-0 and 11-3 with service runs from Saoirse and Jill Mercer. At 12-5, Winchester went white hot, winning the final ten points and advancing to the semifinals against Bishop Fenwick.
Victoria Crovo registered 26 kills, which has to be among the greatest individual offensive totals in Melrose's history. Cat Torpey also reached double figures in one of her career best performances. Lily Fitzgerald fired up 42 assists, another tremendous achievement. Effort and preparation don't always translate to championships. The team had another terrific season and congratulates Winchester as they survive and advance. *Box score courtesy of Dick Collis.
Weston ended Melrose's dreams of a sectional title two years ago. Melrose returned the favor tonight, hosting Weston's elimination 25-19, 25-20, and 25-20.
Melrose faced a tough opponent in the first round and emerged victorious despite a terrific performance from the Wildcats' big gun, Athena Ardila. It wasn't easy.
The opening set saw the teams play to a standstill, except for a service error advantage in favor of Melrose, 7-1. The set was tied at 1, 2, 3, and 7, before a Melrose run brought the edge to 13-7. From there, Weston never got closer than five, despite getting seven kills from Ardila. Unofficially, captains Cat Torpey and Victoria Crovo each had a trio of kills.
The back row of captain Kaitlyn MacInness, Crovo, Jill Mercer, Julia Symonds, and Katie Donovan kept the damage to a minimum.
The second set saw more back-and-forth play, with ties at 8, 11, 12, 13, and 14 before Melrose went on a 6-1 edge...highlighted by a consecutive pair of acrobatic Lily Fitzgerald kills at the net. The "V-Rex" got in full gear with five kills. From 20-15, Weston got close at 22-20, but Melrose answered with kills from Saoirse Connolly and Lily to close out the Cats.
Good teams never quit and Weston is solid. The third set saw ties at 1 through 4 and 6 through 11. The teams again were knotted at 13 through 16 before Weston went up 18-16 as Ardila went wild. But a Scott Celli timeout brought renewed energy and confidence and Melrose scored five straight points only to see the Cats get near at 21-20. But Melrose, behind a service run by Jill Mercer and a key strong side kill by Julia Symonds closed out the match. Victoria had three kills, Cat and Lily a pair, and Saoirse and Lydia Lombardo put additional icing on the kick as Melrose survived and advanced.
Melrose faces Winchester Monday at 6 PM in a rematch of Middlesex League co-champions at Winchester.
Melrose hosts Weston tomorrow (Friday) at 6 p.m. as they begin their post-season journey. Weston defeated Melrose in the 2014 tournament and is a formidable first round opponent. Chris Hurley has recent profiled the team's stretch run.
Here are the recent Maxpreps.com Division 2 rankings which account for wins and strength of schedule.
Melrose finished the regular season and its stiff non-league competition 17-5.
Freshman Grace Davis gets added to the post-season roster. Congratulations, Grace!
Melrose ties for the ML title.
Despite missing about a third of the season, Victoria Crovo finished in the top 10 in kills/set.
Lily Fitzgerald was among the Commonwealth's assist leaders.
The Boston Globe's most recent volleyball rankings.
The Middlesex League is well represented in the post season tournament. Melrose drew the tough side of the bracket. Burlington has an excellent chance to get to the finals on its side.
Melrose couldn't overcome the Newton North Tigers, possibly the top team in the state, but got a valuable tuneup before the playoffs. Steve Karampalas shares some snaps. Click to enlarge frames. Congratulations to the seniors, their teammates, and families on another successful regular season!
