Volleyball Season: The Countdown Begins

Melrose gets set to embark on another volleyball season, pursuing a tradition of excellence that has resulted in seven consecutive appearances in the Division 2 North championship. During that span, the Lady Raiders have captured four sectional titles and one berth in the state finals. What's different this season? Melrose graduated a number of key players, including Trinity-bound Division 2 Player of the Year Hannah Brickley and an All-State setter in Colleen Hanscom. They lose another power hitter in outside Laura Irwin, All-League defender Jess Farr, steady blocker Siena Mamayek (also with 100 kills), and versatile Alex Harlow.

Final Maxpreps rankings, 2009-2010 Massachusetts. 

But for Coach Scott Celli, the season presents opportunity not rebuilding. He and assistant Steve Wall have returning hitters Athena Ziavras, Jill Slabacheski, Alyssa DiRaffaele and Brittany Adelman, sophomore setter Brooke Bell, and defender Amanda Comitto returning from injury.

Celli and Wall will have to develop a strong passing game from the back row, and look for young talent to replace over 450 kills from Brickley and Irwin.

The evolution of Melrose volleyball has produced young players committed to off-season development and participation in camps. Players come to the high school with more volleyball knowledge and competitive experience than ever before. And as a result, the coaches expect
young talent to step in and step up. Coach Celli noted that the incoming freshman group has more talent than any he has previously coached, which is saying something in a program that has produced four all-state players and five all-scholastics in the past seven seasons.

Melrose has its usual challenging non-league schedule, including southern power Canton and perennial Division I North powerhouse Central Catholic.

Within Division 2, the preseason favorite might be North Reading, a narrow runnerup to Melrose in five sets last season, with monster Middle Hitter Kirsten Morrison.  We can be certain that the Hornets have their sights set on dethroning the Lady Raiders.

Melrose's first home tilt will be a scrimmage September 3rd at 2 P.M. against Chelmsford.