Marauders Leave Empty-Handed, Melrose 3-0

The Lady Raiders ran their record to 11-3 (5-1 Middlesex League) with a straight game victory over the Belmont Marauders. Belmont brought a young and enthusiastic team to 'The Igloo' at Roosevelt School Gymnasium, but proved no match for Melrose.

Melrose struck early and often in Game 1, running out to a 16-3 lead, as Belmont had trouble coping with serves from Hannah Brickley and Gina Ciccone who ran off runs of 5 and 8 points respectively. Co-captain Rachel Towle had three kills in the game as well, as Melrose won handily 25-6.

In game 2, Belmont caught Melrose flat-footed, staking a 3-0 lead, and holding the Lady Raiders even at 10-10. But Melrose blew the game open as Nicole Glavin had a powerful service run from 11-10 to 18-10.Unofficially Hannah Brickley had four kills during the game, which Melrose won 25-14. Nicole Glavin provided a big spark during the key moments of Game 2.

Game 3 saw Melrose jump out in front 10-5 and extend their lead to 17-6, before closing out Belmont 25-11. Taylor Pearson went out with some shoulder stiffness, and Freshman Colleen Hanscom made her varsity debut, filling in admirably and getting her first varsity assist on a Monstah Kill by Rachel Towle.

Lady Raider Notes: Melrose hosts one of the stronger ML teams Wednesday as Lexington comes to town.

The ML portion of the schedule will expand over the next two seasons, as Watertown adds volleyball in 2007 and Winchester in 2008. With the Cape Ann League games, that will allow only two non-league games in 2007, but six in 2008 as the Cape Ann League part of the schedule gets revamped.

More open dates would allow Melrose to play some of the stronger teams in the area to prepare for tournament action.

The Junior Varsity topped Belmont 2-1 with particularly fine play during the tiebreaker. Many of the younger Lady Raiders show the athleticism, improving ability, and competitive attitude that promises to continue the Melrose volleyball tradition going forward. "Tradition never graduates."