Wheels Come Off the Wagon for Pioneers, Melrose Tops Lynnfield

Lynnfield was considered one of the top teams in the Cape Ann League. That didn't mean a lot to the Lady Raiders who captured today's match 3-0. Melrose won handily 25-12, 24-15, and 25-9.*

Many of the girls had their best games today. I thought Colleen Hanscom's setting was remarkably consistent, and that Laura Irwin had one of her best games hitting. Siena Mamayek played her best volleyball ever with aggressiveness at the net, and Hannah Brickley showed her customary excellence. Annmarie Wiesen blocked well and had a few assists as an auxiliary setter.

The defense on the serve-receive improved, with Kelly O'Neill and Alex Harlow both solid along with libero Jess Farr. Allie Walsh contributed solidly off the bench. And the team had its fewest service errors this season (four), only one after the first set.

Melrose quickly went up 7-3 in set one, abetted by a service run of four by sophomore Athena Ziavras. Lynnfield was able to narrow the lead to 11-8, but a service run by Siena extended the lead to 18-8 and the Pioneers were unable to circle the wagons as Melrose closed them out 25-12. Unofficially, Hannah led with four kills and Laura added three.

Lynnfield got off stronger in set two, leading 7-5. A scoring snafu was never adequately corrected, but Melrose pulled away to 14-8 and 20-14 leads before another Ziavras serving run finished the visitors. The correct score for set two was Melrose 24 and Lynnfield 15, and we therefore print it as such.

Laura Irwin delivered some thunderous kills from the outside to highlight the frame, with Hannah and Siena pleasing the patrons with some stylish hitting. Melrose had four service aces and no service errors in set two.

Set three was tight early with Melrose leading five four with several Lynnfield service errors. A monster service run by Hannah yielded eleven points giving Melrose a 17-4 lead and they finished the set with an extended service run by Siena before closing with a Lynnfield service error.

Today's victory brings Melrose to 5-0, 3-0 in the Middlesex League. I believe that their regular season victory streak now stands at 26.

Melrose hosts Burlington Friday at 4 P.M.



*Scoring today courtesy of Jane Wiesen.