Melrose returned to the semifinal round for the first time since 2005, and the Lady Raiders had hopes of returning to the state championship Saturday. But Medfield doused those dreams, with suffocating defense and athletic offense, downing Melrose 26-24, 25-16, and 25-12.
The Lady Raiders were gallant in defeat, one hastened by a critical ankle injury to outside hitter Laura Irwin with the team trailing 6-2 in the second set.
Game one challenged my contention about finding a game as close as Saturday's against North Reading. After Medfield captured the first pair of points, the game was tied at 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, and 24...seventeen ties. With Medfield up 25-24, they got a terrific serve down the strong side on the line to garner the win.
Melrose got yeoman work from Hannah Brickley, with eight kills among Melrose's fourteen, and avoided any service errors. Coach Scott Celli had Annemarie Wiesen in early to get more blocking, and senior middle hitter Siena Mamayek also had a big first game with a pair of kills and some good deflections at the net.
In the second set, there were yet more ties at 1 and 2, before Medfield opened up a 6-2 lead, with Laura accidentally stepping on a teammate's foot during a defensive scramble at the net. Melrose hung in to recover at 8-5, but Medfield gradually pulled away, with stout defense led by Natalie Dickinson and Georgia Naumann at the net, and all-state libero Ally Le-Bruno in back. While Melrose struggled to generate offense, Dickinson, Naumann, and Kathleen Krah and Morganne Gagne slammed away from all angles. Siena had another big game two, with five kills, which I suspect to be her career high for a game. From 15-8, Melrose could never get closer than seven points.
Melrose never quit, coming in game three with some more life, including an early Jill Slabachesky kill. Melrose led 5-3 and 6-4 but at seven all Medfield went on a five point run en route to a 12-1 streak that put Melrose away. Melrose made their only two service errors of the match during the third game, but could muster only four kills for the final set of the season. Coach Scott Celli got freshmen Amanda Commito and Brooke Bell in for the final points of the game, and both acquitted themselves well.
Game analysis: Melrose competed at an exceptional level in set one, but couldn't close out well-balanced Medfield. Hannah had a big opening stanza. Colleen Hanscom played exceptional volleyball as well, especially considering that she was playing with illness. After the tough opening game loss, the last thing Melrose needed was deflation, but Laura's ankle injury took the starch out of Melrose, especially under the relentless pressure provided by Naumann and Dickinson. Melrose didn't give the game away, as Medfield's skill, size, and athleticism showed why they will claim their fourth state title in five years Saturday. They were deserving victors with spectacular defense and remarkable offensive consistency.
Melrose's seniors have much to be proud of, including four consecutive appearances in the Division 2 North championship, a defeat of perennial powerhouse Barnstable, and stiff opposition provided to Division I power Central Catholic. The ladies competed with intensity, grace, and class, and individually numerous players like Hannah, Colleen, and Jess were at or near the top of any ever to play their positions at Melrose. The team won 63 games over the past three seasons, eclipsed only by the 2003-5 teams that won 66.
Hannah Brickley will be the only Lady Raider ever to be named all-state three times and she and Colleen hold the individual career kills and assist records.
Congratulations to the team for bringing success and excitement to the community.
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