Rank Has Its Privileges

Photos by Don Norris. Click photos to ENLARGE.

Melrose embarked on an extended road swing, traveling to Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School today to meet the Generals. Earlier today, the Lady Raiders climbed into the Division II Volleyball rankings of the Boston Herald, assuming fifth place. Not exactly the BCS, but deserving recognition of the team's accomplishments. But they did not rest on their laurels, waxing the Generals 25-12, 25-18, and 25-16.

Melrose has clinched at least a tie for the Middlesex League title as they lead Reading by two with just two games remaining in the ML. Reading, according to the online scoreboard, took another beating, 3-0 at the hands of North Reading.

Melrose dominated Game 1 with plenty of opportunities for everyone to see action. HW led 1-0 and 2-1, but Melrose then assumed control. Unofficially, Melrose had twelve kills in Game 1, led by Hannah Brickley with five and Nicole Glavin with four.

Game 2 wasn't any different, as Melrose got out to a 16-8 and 23-11 lead, before some garbage time points brought HW to a respectable 25-18 defeat. The killing fields were fairly evenly distributed among Laura Irwin, Leslie Hirschfeld, Nicole, and Siena Mamayek got her first varsity kill.

Melrose wasn't about to let down in Game 3, and romped to a 12-2 lead, as Hannah again dominated at the net. Laura Irwin racked up 7 service points in game three including four aces. With Melrose leading 23-11, again the team had opportunities for extended playing time for reserves.

Lady Raider Notes: The team has two remaining road games this week, with a big finish coming next week with North Andover, Arlington Catholic (next Saturday) and the wrapup Jamboree at Masco. Melrose should handily win both the ML and the North Shore League titles, and has opportunities for a number of possible individual honors as well. The team can challenge the 2005 team for an undefeated 20-0 regular season, and hopes to go after the school record of 24 victories.

Hannah Brickley shows the athleticism and timing which have made her the latest in a series of dominant middle hitters over the years. The two photos are taken 0.2 seconds apart, with Hannah's jump, and rejection of the enemy spike.