Game 14: Melrose 3 Belmont 2

With the match of critical importance to both teams, Melrose held off Belmont (11-3) in five sets - 20-25, 25-13, 25-18, 22-25, and 15-7.

The win boosts the Melrose record to 11-3 headed into another "Fists of Fury" match in Duxbury Saturday.

MIAA power rankings (playoff seeding), ML12 tournament seeding, and a big crowd for "Dig Purple Night" added to the drama.

Each one point margin of victory adds 0.05 rating points and the win helps Melrose hold off Belmont for third place in the ML12.

After a slow start, Belmont took control of the first set with exceptional defense keeping play after play alive. Melrose couldn't "climb the hill" as Belmont conceded nothing.

Melrose got off fast in the second set. At 10-4 setter Sadie Smith attacks a second ball and gets a kill.  

In a defining sequence in the second set, with Elise Marchais serving, Melrose goes on a massive run with everyone involved. 

Melrose held a massive lead before Belmont had a late rally to close the set to within 25-13. 

Melrose continued strong play in the third set, with huge contributions from setter Sadie Smith, the liberos (Anna Burns, Gen Overlan), defensive specialist Dani DiGiorgio, middles Elise and Sabrina McArt, right side Amelie Johnson, and "all-six" players Alisa Dautovic and Adriana Santoriello. The result was a hard-earned 25-18 win, putting Melrose up 2-1. 

Belmont does not quit. Only 30 kills from Sabine Wenzel prevented Belmont from winning last season in five sets. And Belmont continued their exceptional defense throughout. 

In the fifth and tiebreaking set, Belmont bounced out in front 2-0 but Melrose struck back with four consecutive points, and led 8-5 at the exchange of ends. 

Elise Marchais threw in a couple of service points to lead 10-5 before Belmont scored. At 10-6, Alisa Dautovic fired in a key kill to extend the lead to 11-6. After Belmont scored, Sabrina had a massive block to bring the lead back to five at 12-7 and Alisa "aced out" the set for the margin of victory. 

What went well?

• Melrose avoided slow starts. 
• MVB got exceptional performances from multiple, multiple players. 
• Even when a few players struggled, they held firm with the conviction to hit and refind the "hot zone." 
• Excellent communication with negligible balls hitting the floor. 

What went poorly? 

The biggest "negative" was Belmont's exceptional defense. In the style of a later round playoff game, Belmont never quit. 

What were the enduring lessons? 

Stick to the game plan - aggression, aggression, aggression. 

Melrose Notes: 

Coach Scott Celli said after the match, "We knew it would be like this." 

The MVMMS Gym hosted a large and enthusiastic crowd, a definite playoff atmosphere.

Former MVB stars in the house - Gia Vlajkovic (varsity assistant), Elena Soukos (another "Triple Crown Winner") and big sister Manon Marchais. Also parents of former stars including the Vlajkovic family, Rachel Johnson's parents and Leah Fowke's dad. 

Reading beat Burlington 3-1 to maintain their stranglehold on the ML12 two seed.