Keep Holding On...Melrose-Barnstable Photoessay

Click pictures to ENLARGE. Photos courtesy of Don Norris.

"The race is not always to the swiftest or the battle to the strongest, but it pays to bet that way."

Melrose went into the lions den, facing Barnstable on their turf, and proudly battled the best team in the state. Losing the 40 game regular season winning streak to Barnstable means an opportunity to get the experience needed to battle through Division II North and move deeper into the playoffs. The Barnstable Red Raiders were led by the best player in the state, (23) Stephanie Bristol.
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The Melrose Lady Raiders 2008 volleyball team.
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Melrose's own All-State player, Hannah Brickley, battles Barnstable's Bristol.
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Siena Mamayek had a break out game for Melrose.
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Athena Ziavras slams into Bristol.
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Hannah had numerous blocks against the taller Bristol
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Siena and Colleen Hanscom go for the block.
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Athena goes for the spike, with Bristol a formidable obstacle.
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Barnstable volleyball is an institution, but some estimated the fans from Melrose filled half the stands.
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Tri-Captain Kelly O'Neill gets some suggestions from Coach Scott Celli, who was enormously proud of his team's effort.
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Siena goes up for the smash.
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Got hops? Laura Irwin goes high for the kill.
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Melrose hasn't experienced a lot of rainy days but learned valuable lessons playing against the best. You cannot become the best without playing better competition, which is what Melrose strives to do with schedule enhancement.