Melrose Hands Feehan Fifth Defeat, 3-0

12th-ranked Melrose hosted Maxpreps 18th-ranked Bishop Feehan (11-4) and came away with a Senior Night success, 25-13, 25-14, 25-15. The victory brings Melrose to 18-1 as they wrap up the regular season Monday at 9th-ranked Canton.

Senior Night festivities before the game honored the seven Melrose seniors and their families as well as the graduating Shamrocks, who each received green and gold balloons and a flower.

Feehan came in understaffed, with a pair of starters out with flu like symptoms amidst epidemic influenza in Massachusetts and nationally.

Melrose went out fast with a 6-1 lead behind strong serving by Alex Harlow (A-Low). Feehan closed to 9-7 before a 12-3 run put the game away with a 21-10 lead. Melrose served error-free in the game, and had potent hitting with eleven kills, including four from Hannah Brickley and Laura Irwin, and a trio from Athena Ziavras.

Melrose played 'doubles' in set two, leading 4-2, 8-4, and 10-5. Feehan's first five points came on Melrose service or defensive errors. Hannah was immense in the second set, with an ace and seven of Melrose's thirteen kills. Colleen Hanscom's precision setting and athletic defense both digging and blocking highlighted the game. With Melrose leading 10-7, the Lady Raiders pulled away with a 10-4 run and coasted behind diversified offense.

Set three saw Feehan grab the opening pair of points, before Melrose sprinted to a 12-2 run to go up eight. Feehan then had their own run to 12-9, before a 7-2 run essentially frosted the cake. Annmarie Wiesen had a strong game with good hands blocking and setting her front row teammates, and Laura fired home another five kills while Athena and Hannah each added three.

But despite the offense, the defense was the collective star, with strong blocking from senior middle blocker Siena Mamayek, and sparkling back-row play from the steady Jess Farr and underrated Alex, who had as spectacular a back row digging game as I have seen in watching over eight years of Melrose volleyball. She practically had her own personal highlight video with a handful of sprawling one-armed digs.

Game analysis: Coach Scott Celli remains extremely pleased with both the effort and the output from his team, which is peaking at the right time. In addition to getting high-octane offense, the Melrose mentor is getting both excellent individual and team defense. The Shamrocks brought good size and athleticism, but Melrose's offensive and defensive aggressiveness kept the visitors on their heels. As far as a total performance, I think Melrose exceeded the level of play they achieved against Barnstable.

Coming events. Melrose travels to Canton (16-1) Monday to battle a team that has already defeated highly-regarded Brockton. Next Wednesday afternoon, the MIAA will post the post-season pairings, and the team will scrimmage number one-ranked Central Catholic Friday at Melrose.