Hornets' Nest

North Reading (21-1), having moved up from D3 to D2 this season, presents a formidable challenge to the (21-1) Lady Raiders. Last season North Reading advanced to the state finals before falling in the championship game.

RallyNorth has an informative site highlighting the Hornets' schedule and game recaps. North Reading's sole defeat came at the hands of Andover, 3-1, with Andover's two losses to MVC Champion Central Catholic, that defeated Melrose 3-2. The only common opponent for the teams was Lexington, whom Melrose defeated twice 3-0 and the Hornets also beat 3-0.

North Shore volleyball fans will get to see the top two teams in D2 North meet in a match that many had preordained before the first serve was in the air this season. Melrose has the strongest offense they've developed since the 2005 season when Paula Sen's 311 kills eclipsed sister Karen's single-season record 268. Since then, Hannah Brickley has bypassed both to set the school record for career kills, while on the outside Laura Irwin closes in on 200 this season. The other legendary Melrose hitting pair featured Marianne Foley and Erin Hudd in 2003, who terrorized Middlesex League opponents and led Melrose to its first D2 North title.