Melrose Volleyball: Reloading Not Rebuilding

The Melrose Lady Raiders girls volleyball team has cultivated a tradition of excellence, and in doing so become one of the best programs in Massachusetts in attracting and developing players. In the past three seasons Melrose has had three players (Marianne Foley, Karen Sen, Paula Sen) named to the Boston Globe All-Scholastics and two players voted All-State by the Massachusetts Girls Volleyball Coaches Association. What better way to celebrate the team than developing a forum to report on their progress?

The 2006 Lady Raiders seek to continue their dominance of the Division II North section, a tall order against uber-talented veteran teams like Arlington Catholic, North Andover, and Central Catholic.

Head Coach Scott Celli and Assistant Coach Steve Wall have always focused on a few principles -
make the game fun, win now, and develop for the future. Part of Celli's philosophy has included consistent communication with players and parents about setting expectations for standards on and off the court. He has also provided opportunities for players of any age to assume prominent playing and leadership roles.

This summer Celli began a summer development camp for girls in Melrose and sixty-nine girls age 6-14 enrolled for one to two weeks to get and introduction to volleyball skills and tactics. We're sure that will pay dividends for the future of Melrose volleyball.

Coming off Melrose's first trip to the State Volleyball Finals last season, some thought that Melrose would need to rebuild. But the Lady Raiders have other ideas having won their first two games on the road (Belmont and Lexington), before opening up at home (Roosevelt School Gymnasium) against Burlington. Captains Rachel Towle (outside) and Laura Dillon (libero, defense) provide experience and leadership, starter Gina Ciccone returns in her versatile role, and everyone on the ten player roster contributes on the floor.

Yesterday, the Lady Raiders hosted second year program Burlington and ran their record to 3-0 with a convincing three game victory over the Lady Devils. Melrose played shorthanded as Gina Ciccone was out with injury and Sam Hamel unavailable. Melrose got off to a sluggish start, leading 11-10 before Coach Celli called a key timeout to regroup. Melrose then closed out the match 25-10, running off 14 consecutive points, in part from the outstanding serving of Kelsey "Mighty" Quinn.

Melrose carried the momentum into the second game, with an additional 15 consecutive points on Quinn serves, as she threatened to break Marianne Foley's school record of 28 consecutive serves, achieved at Hamilton Wenham in 2003. Burlington couldn't survive the onslaught of service aces mixed in with solid hitting from Towle, Nicole Glavin, and Lauren Howe, courtesy of Taylor Pearson's consistent setting. Leslie Hirschfeld brought some solid defense to center court as well with a couple of key blocks. Melrose captured the second game 25-5.

The third game brought similar results, with Melrose on top 25-9. Consistent back row defense from Laura Dillon was the key in game three with more scintillating hitting.

Next week Melrose travels to Stoneham and hosts archrival Reading, which boasts the Middlesex League's tallest and most experienced team.

Volleyball news and notes. Faces in the crowd yesterday included several of the 'Back Row Boys', some of Melrose athletics most recognized fans and Principal Dan Burke.

In an interstate challenge, Beverly Hills High School of California travels to Marshfield to square off against perennial state champion Barnstable. Barnstable puts its 74 game winning streak on the line, seeking competition from across the nation to assess where Massachusetts volleyball stands against a California powerhouse.

Alumni News.

(from the Emmanuel website) Andrea Basteri ended her four-year career with the Saints having played on two conference championship teams and accumulating amazing statistics. Some of her more impressive numbers include a career total of 835 kills, 429 blocks (256 solo & 173 assisted), and 291 service aces. Basteri finished 2nd in the conference in blocks per game this season and was ranked 27th nationally in the category with 1.35 per game. She was named to the GNAC Weekly Honor Roll twice during the season and received 2nd Team All-Conference honors.

Erin Hudd, a junior at UMass Lowell is a force for the Northeast 10 leading River Hawks (3-0 league, 6-5 overall). Erin has 1.88 kills/game, fourth on the team, and 0.55 blocks/game, second on the team.
Amanda Hallett, who holds the single season setting record at Melrose, now plays for Richard Casali's Framingham State team (4-0). Amanda came off the bench in FSC's opener in the 5th game to spark FSC to a fifth set victory over Babson.