The Melrose Lady Raiders volleyball team (16-4) shook off last week's tough loss to Reading and went into Masconomet Regional High School on a mission, denying the Chieftains an MIAA playoff berth with a 3-0 victory. Masco needed a win to meet the 50 percent or better standard for tourney qualifying.
Nobody knew exactly what to expect coming into the season, with Melrose facing a schedule including solid Middlesex League teams, North Reading, defending Division III finalist, North Andover which appeared in last year's Division II North finals, always tough Lynnfield, improving Hamilton-Wenham, and non-league contests against powerhouses Andover, AC, and Central Catholic. Most didn't expect sixteen wins, with four losses to teams with a total of four losses this season.
Melrose combined a stingy back row defense, relatively error-free service (one for the evening), and a big night from North Shore All-League player Rachel Towle to win big.
Melrose led Game 1 big, 22-12 and 24-14 before a late Chieftain surge brought Masco to 25-20. Melrose had only seven kills during the game, however, including five from Rachel Towle, under the microscope from college coaches in attendance.
Game 2 was more evenly balanced with Melrose leading early, and Masco refusing to go away. The Lady Raiders held 10-5 and 15-10 leads, but Masco went up 18-17 and 21-19, with power hitting from the middle. But Gina Ciccone had a service run (4) at the end, and Rachel added another six kills from Rachel. Melrose struggled with some vicious serves from Masco, which had several big servers.
Melrose played its best volleyball when needed in Game 3, another back-and-forth contest. With Melrose leading 19-17, the locals knotted the score at 19 and then teams exchanged points for nine consecutive points to brindg the score to 24-23 Melrose. A critical line call went Melrose's way at a key juncture as well. Melrose closed out the game as a Masco hitter's slam caromed off the antenna (out-of-bounds).
Score by Games
Melrose 25 25 25
Masco-- 20 22 23
Lady Raiders Notes: MMTV will broadcast the replay of tonight's game in the near future. Many thanks to Lydia Ciccone (camera), Dan Krechmer (production), and Dick Collis (statistics) for tonight's contest.
Amanda Hallett's coach, Tom Casale of Framingham State was in attendance, scouting and recruiting. Tom noted that Melrose has a strong program and relationship with Coach Celli and that he enjoys watching their players.
In addition to Rachel's recognition on the Best Six (All-League) team of the North Shore League, Co-Captain Laura Dillon and Gina Ciccone received recognition as Middlesex League All-Stars. Andrew Viselli of Reading received Coach of the Year honors, and Reading's Meredith Gent succeeded Melrose's Paula Sen as Player of the Year.
Kelly O'Neill and Laura Irwin received 'field' promotions to the Varsity for tonight's game. Kelly has shown poise and leadership for the JV this season, and Irwin is a powerful hitter who looks to become the latest in the Melrose tradition of outside hitters.
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