Friday Showdown

The Melrose Lady Raiders (9-3, 4-1 Middlesex League) host North Reading (10-1) tomorrow at the Roosevelt School Gymnasium. The Hornets suffered their first loss this week, a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Middlesex League rival Reading.

The hard-working girls and their coaches work to improve all aspects of their game. Melrose's service consistency may be the best in the past five years. Taylor Pearson's setting continues to give Melrose a chance to compete, and the back row defense has likewise made signficant progress since the beginning of the season. The team's aggressiveness at the net defensively continues to grow as Leslie Hirschfeld, Nicole Glavin, and Hannah Brickley gain experience. The outside hitting is another one of the team's strengths, with Rachel Towle the leading hitter.

As the team matures, we can watch for ongoing improvement in team communication and coordination on the floor, always a Melrose strong point.

Here's a video showing Olympic level striking, with players demonstrating the two step 'runup', powerful leaping, and the follow-through necessary to pwer hitting.

Here's another great example of the two step runup, with arms launching the player into hitting position.

Melrose can use all the support it can get to battle the top-ranked team in Division III and Cape Ann League leader. Be there, 4 p.m. at the Roosevelt School Gymnasium.