Melrose journeyed to Reading with the teams having a combined one loss, Reading's early season defeat to the Lady Raiders their only blemish. Melrose left no doubt who was the league title contender, stopping Reading 25-18, 21-25, 25-14, and 25-10. The win erased any lingering memories of Reading's mildly controversial league title in 2006.
And the biggest eraser for Melrose was All-Scholastic junior Hannah Brickley, who (unofficially) knocked home 29 kills in one of the most dominating performances by a Melrose volleyballer.
Melrose scored early and often in set one, taking a 9-3 lead on four early Brickley kills. Hannah made an incredible save on the ensuing point going deep beyond the endline to track down a dig, although Reading captured the point. Reading closed to 12-10, before a Melrose run with Siena Mamayek serving brought Melrose a 17-10 lead. Melrose had 14 kills in the set including six by Hannah and four by Siena.
Reading stormed back in set two, leading 6-3 and 9-6, before Melrose seesawed its way back to a 12-11 lead. The set was tied at 18, 19, and 20 but Reading rallied for the win. Melrose managed only eight kills in this game, with three for Hannah.
Melrose picked up the pace in set three, with a 5-1 and 9-3 lead, before Reading narrowed it to 9-8. Melrose exploded for eight of the next nine points to extend the lead to 17-9 and Reading was cooked. Hannah had an incredible ten kills in the frame.
The Lady Raiders put the hammer down in set four, turning a 3-2 Reading lead into a 16-3 lead with fourteen consecutive points with Colleen Hanscom serving. Reading never came closer than 19-7 and Melrose moved to 14-0 and thirty-five consecutive regular season wins. Hannah had another ten kills abetted by a trio by Laura Irwin.
It was a terrific team victory, with strong offense from the entire frontline, the return of Athena Ziavras, and consistent defense from the back row.
Coaches Celli and Wall will be looking for continuing improvement in the overall team play, aided by some terrific competition down the stretch from the top teams in the Commonwealth. In addition to developing improved back row defenders, the team will look to maintain its service consistency and diversify its offense, while developing younger players. With only one senior, mostly juniors, one soph and two frosh, "the future's so bright we've gotta wear shades."
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