Lady Raiders Bang Out Another Solid Win

Burlington has a three-year history in Middlesex League play, and has improved greatly, but not enough to challenge Melrose at Marcoux Gym. The visitors played well at times, but Melrose rolled 25-5, 25-14, and 25-18 to remain unbeaten at 14-0 atop both the Middlesex League and the North Shore League.

Melrose rolled out a different lineup today with Lauren Howe wearing the libero shirt and Jess Farr on back row defense. Gina Ciccone was back in the lineup shaking off some minor illness as well. Additionally, a pair of JV players got field promotions, with Siena Mamayek and Allie Walsh moved up to varsity. The lineup may have changed slightly, but the results were the same. Melrose transformed a 3-3 tie into a 22-3 lead with 18 consecutive service points for Hannah Brickley.

Game 2 saw the Red Devils fire out to a 2-0 lead, before Melrose responded. The teams battled to level at 13, when Melrose ran off ten consecutive points to ice the game. Allie Walsh got her first varsity action in this game, and Kelly O'Neill made a couple of sharp digs in the back row. Hannah chipped in with five kills to lead the scoring parade.

Melrose seized the advantage in Game 3, with an early 8-1 lead, spearheaded by seven service points by Leslie Hirschfeld. Laura Irwin had a pair of thunderous slams from the outside, and Nicole Glavin had several artistic hits as well. Annmarie Wiesen drilled home a pair of kills, and Siena Mamayek got her first varsity entry.

Score by Periods

Melrose--- 25 25 25

Burlington 5 14 18


Lady Raider Notes: Melrose stretched its winning streak to fourteen, the longest since its twenty-four game winning streak in 2005. Next week Melrose goes on the road for a trio of 'distance' games, going to its farthest destinations, Hamilton-Wenham, Watertown, and Belmont.

Lady Raider alumnae continue to participate in volleyball after high school. Erin Hudd is a senior middle hitter for the UMASS-Lowell River Hawks. Merry Hayward plays for the Westfield State Owls. Andrea Basteri starred for Emmanuel before becoming volleyball coach at Watertown.