
Each senior received a photographic collage of team memories.




News, notes, commentary, and volleyball education
Each senior received a photographic collage of team memories.
Melrose stands as not only the envy of many area volleyball teams, but as one of the premier volleyball programs in Massachusetts, along with Barnstable, Andover, both Quincy Highs, Medfield, Marlboro, and Frontier. These are the teams that consistently move through the tournament.
This year's team showed excellence, determination, caring about each other, and significant improvement through the course of the year. Melrose only lost to teams at the top of their game (Andover and Reading were the D1 North Finalist), and AC the D2 North champion.
Yes, we're not happy at see AC walk out of Andover's Dunn Gymnasium with 'our' trophy, but that will only encourage the returnees and newcomers to the program to work even harder to return to championship form next season.
Everyone wants to thank the seniors, Rachel and Laura, Sam Hamel, Kelsey Quinn, and Taylor Pearson for their major contributions to the program. We wish them well.
Don't cry for Melrose as they'll return Gina Ciccone, Lauren Howe, Leslie Hirschfeld, Allie Brussard, and Nicole Glavin as seniors, Kelly O'Neill as a junior, and Hannah Brickley, Colleen Hanscom, and Laura Irwin as sophomores. With another season of experience, maturity, and more coaching in 'technical' volleyball, Melrose will look to regain the winners' trophy for the MHS trophy case.
Kelly O'Neill was a playoff callup for the Lady Raiders.
_________________________________________ What, me worry? Not Freshman reserve setter Colleen Hanscom.
__________________________________________ Nicole Glavin has made big contributions to the Melrose attack down the stretch.
_________________________________________Gina Ciccone looks as though she's got the volleyball world on a string.
_____________________________________________ Freshman Laura Irwin has the skills to become a dominant hitter.
_________________________________________Girls just wanna have fun. Taylor Pearson and Sam Hamel (2) share a moment.
_________________________________________Juniors Lauren Howe (left) and Allie Brussard have some yuks.
_________________________________________Middle Leslie Hirschfeld looks like a picture out of Sports Illustrated in this effort.
_______________________________________Feel good to win? "Oh, yeah."
__________________________________________
Freshman Laura Irwin made her debut with power, athleticism, and her first varsity kills. "The next great outside hitter in the Melrose tradition..."
_____________________________________________No wallflowers here...the Melrose student cheering section...
___________________________________________
We Are Melrose...
___________________________________________ Freshman Hannah Brickley is at the core of Melrose's defense...
__________________________________________ Libero Laura Dillon shows total concentration in her commitment to defense.
__________________________________________ Gina Ciccone does it all...offense, defense, sets, service...Melrose's Swiss Army Knife.
___________________________________________
Setter Taylor Pearson looks to go cross-court while Hannah looks on.
_____________________________________________
Kelsey Quinn is all smiles whether playing back row or cheering on her teammates.
___________________________________________ Yet another Frosh, setter Colleen Hanscom can light it up on the volleyball court or the basketball court.
___________________________________________ Laura Dillon (top), Gina Ciccone (left), and Sam Hamel (foreground) have played stout 'D' in the back row.
____________________________________________
A happy team plays loose and well. What is Sam Hamel doing?
____________________________________________It's all about the team during player introductions.
____________________________________________
Athleticism and power characterize Lady Raider volleyball. Here the double block goes up.
_____________________________________________
Gina Ciccone delivers a kill.
_____________________________________________
Good defense is critical to winning volleyball. Melrose's Leslie Hirschfeld (33) and Rachel Towle (27) prepare to receive an overhead smash.
_____________________________________________
Melrose and Masco exchange the traditional postgame handshakes.
____________________________________________
Volleyball entertains the young at heart.
____________________________________________
Photos courtesy of Don Norris.