Today's game was Frazier-Ali, the Patriots-Rams in the Super Bowl, and "Havlicek stole the ball" combined into a phenomenal volleyball game.
Melrose, appearing in the last seven Division 2 North championship games, came in having won the first three and lost the latter three. Loyal Melrose and North Reading fans packed Andover's Dunn Gymnasium expecting a great match, but probably not a five set battle royal lasting over two hours. The Lady Raiders literally outlasted the Hornets 26-24, 20-25, 19-25, 25-22, and 16-14. The victory propels Melrose into the State Semifinals Wednesday at 7 p.m. against the Medfield Warriors.
Heroes were many, expected and not. Overall, Melrose did not have its 'A' game, partially forced into uncharacteristic errors by North Reading's outstanding middle hitter, junior Kristen Morrison, and partly by the terrific offensive and defensive balance exhibited by North Reading. Melrose also struggled at times in certain rotations, particularly when NR senior Jessica Crugnale served.
Deserving special commendation today were Colleen Hanscom, scampering around chasing serve-receive passes and digs, and Alyssa DiRaffaele, the unsung hero defensively and serving flawless at many of the key junctures of the match. She seemed to have a calmness about her play that exceeded her sophomore experience.
Set one was back and forth with both teams counterpunching. North Reading fought to a 12-7 and 17-11 advantage before Melrose rallied with seven consecutive points with Laura Irwin serving. The game featured ties at 17, 18, 20, 21, 23, and 24 foreshadowing the future action. An Athena Ziavras ace closed out the game. Laura had a big game with four thundering kils, equaling Hannah Brickley's total. Melrose had four aces and eleven kills for the game.
North Reading had the edge in game two, rallying from 4-1 and 6-3 deficits to tie the game at 9. Once again, the teams traded leads with scoring even at 8, 9, 11, 12, and 13 before Morrison took over the game with a series of kills. Melrose got within 17-16, but NR ran off an 8-4 edge to earn the win. Melrose could only muster seven kills, with a pair apiece from Hannah and Siena Mamayek, blocking effectively at the net, and three from Laura.
North Reading started fast in set three with a quick 3-0 lead, before Melrose struck back to go up 6-5. Melrose continue to gain the edge behind three quick Brickley kills, but NR ran off a 10 point spree to put the game away. Melrose had an atypical spell of both defensive errors and passive offense, and North Reading simply overwhelmed Melrose behind the hitting of Morrison and Bailey Eis.
Several observers commented that NR appeared to tire slightly in the fourth game with Melrose racing out to 5-3 and 9-4 leads. Melrose appeared to have the game under control 19-11, but a remarkable NR comeback, again spurred by Morrison, Nicole Cecchini and Eis gave the Hornets a 21-20 advantage. Colleen Hanscom made a couple of incredible defensive plays near the net, including deflecting an overpass for a kill to tie and possibly save the season at 21. Melrose closed out the victory on a North Reading error.
The fifth game reflected the incredible balance between the teams. Hannah Brickley was immense to open the game with a quick kill to the corner and a pair of blocks/kills, including one of the lanky Morrison. The fifth set was tied at 1, 3, 4 and I literally wished for a tape crawling service ace from Hannah, that got delivered to make the lead 7-4. But the Hornets swarmed and rallied, with ties at 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 (ten ties in the game) before a pair of attack errors by North Reading sailed long and Melrose took the victory.
And the faces and voices of victory expressed as much relief that it was over as joy in having achieved one of the team's goals.
Lady Raider Notes: Faces in the crowd included Jack and Erin Hudd, the latter a standout on Melrose's first D2 North Champion and former UMass-Lowell Riverhawk. The victory gave this group of seniors their first D2 North title after three years of frustration as runnerups.
Congratulations to the team, coaching staff, parents and families and fans, as well to a gallant North Reading team that played exceptional volleyball. Were I a NR fan, I would not be equally pleased but equally proud of my team.
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