Road Warriors, Melrose Captures the Flag 3-0

Melrose traveled to Reading and effectively returned with the Middlesex League title, handing Reading its second league loss, 25-16, 25-16, 25-20. The victory gives the Lady Raiders a 14-1 slate, including 11-0 in the league. Reading falls to 9-2 in the ML.

Set one was back and forth, with ties at 4, 5, 6, and 8 before Melrose began to pull away. Four service errors helped keep the Lady Rockets in the game, but Melrose's offense (15 kills) saved the day. Laura "Spike" Irwin fired up six kills, Hannah Brickley four, and Siena Mamayek and Athena Ziavras each added a pair.

Melrose benefited from three Reading service errors, including two early ones, in going out to an early 8-4 lead in set two. Reading proved stubborn opposition closing the lead to 13-10 before Melrose exerted its will, going on a 7-2 run en route to the 25-16 win. Laura had another big game with five kills, with a pair for Hannah and Athena, while setter Colleen Hanscom piled up the assists.

Set three showed similarity to the opening frame, with ties at 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, and 11. Another three service errors narrowed the margin. With the score knotted at 11, Melrose went on a 8-1 gravity and drag inducing run for the Rockets, to go up 19-12. Laura did some of the damage with a service run, and Laura and Hannah each contributed four kills in the set, including a Brickley block/kill combo to clinch the victory.

Rank and file. Despite last week's big Barnstable breakthrough, the Lady Raiders gained no ground in the Boston Herald poll, still trailing Medfield and Westboro who rank 1-2 in both the Herald and Maxpreps.com rankings. Westborough has loaded up with some tough opponents, including beating Bishop Feehan twice, Marlborough, Milford twice, and faces Marlborough, Central Catholic, Medway, and Barnstable down the stretch.Melrose has a Massachusetts Maxpreps.com ranking of 23, despite a narrow defeat to Central (3) and sweep of Barnstable (6). Evidently, the strength of schedule component of the Maxpreps 'system' is holding Melrose back. Of course, the weighing system of the State Tournament will eclipse the voters.

Colleen Hanscom ranks 7th in assists/set at 7.5 according to the Maxpreps.com statistics. In limited action, freshman Brooke Bell is 27th at 4.0 assists/set. Hannah Brickley is 6th in kills/game and Laura Irwin is 17th. A limited subset of coaches submit data to Maxpreps.com.