Undefeated Regular Season, Post-Season Awards

Melrose capped an undefeated regular season with a three game coronation at the Masco jamboree, 25-15, 25-10, 25-11. Melrose regained both the Middlesex League Title and the North Shore League title.

Game 1 saw Melrose sprint to a 9-2 lead and coast to an easy victory. Melrose spread the fun around with fairly balanced offense led by a trio of kills by Nicole Glavin. Melrose had a pair of service errors, and Leslie Hirschfeld had the lone service ace.

Game 2 saw the Lady Raiders scoring in bunches, to take leads of 4-2, 7-4, 12-5, 17-6 and 21-7. Sophomores Hannah Brickley, Laura Irwin, and Colleen Hanscom each had a pair of kills, and Melrose had a lone service error. Four different players, including Annmarie Wiesen delivered an ace.

Game 3 also saw everyone getting plenty of action, with Melrose amping up to a 10-3 and 17-4 lead, and Hannah led the way with three kills. Laura and Hannah each had a pair of aces and again Melrose had a pair of service errors.

Score by Games

Melrose 25 25 25

Masco.... 15 10 11


Lady Raider Notes: Melrose captured the North Shore League with an 18-0 record, with North Reading the runnerup at 15-3. Coach Scott Celli captured Coach of the Year honors. Melrose's Hannah Brickley was named to the 'Best Six' squad from the North Shore League, a great achievement for the Sophomore Middle Hitter, the only sophomore on the All-Star team.

In addition to Hannah, seniors Gina Ciccone and Nicole Glavin were both named to the Middlesex League and North Shore League All-Star teams. Both have enjoyed terrific senior seasons and careers for Melrose.

North Reading's Alison Friberg received Player of the Year Honor. Hannah could have easily been awarded Player of the Year, a feat previously achieved by two Melrose players, Marianne Foley and Paula Sen. A number of other Lady Raiders could also have earned All-Star selection, but the North Shore League, like major league baseball selects at least one player from each team. It is no exaggeration to say that every player on the Melrose roster could have started for many of the teams in the league.

North Shore League teams qualifying for the post-season tournament include Melrose, Lexington, Lynnfield, North Reading, Reading, and Peabody.

Melrose hosts Division I power Newton North Thursday at 3:15 for a scrimmage at the Middle School gymnasium, and will play a quarterfinal match next Monday versus Arlington High School. Initial reports suggest that Division II North Semifinal action takes place next Wednesday, with the Division II North finals next Saturday. Melrose looks to return to the D2 North final for the fifth consecutive year.

Congratulations to all the players, coaching staff, and their families on both team and individual achievement.