They're Back...

The following are solely my observations.

Melrose hosted Chelmsford today in the roaster, toasty Middle School Gym this afternoon. Chelmsford, from the Division I Merrimack Valley Conference brought good size and aggressive offense that tested the Lady Raiders. By the end of the contest, fans could easily have mistaken the players for the swim team.

The team has progressed very well in the early season, appearing solid in many areas.

• Service errors have been few and far between.
• The setting from both Brooke Bell and Rachael Wolley has not disappointed. 
• Hitters Athena Ziavras, Jill Slabacheski, and Alyssa DiRaffaele have all demonstrated the ability to get "on top of the ball", allowing for a diversified offense.
• Sarah McGowan and Jen Cain have a great competition going for the opposite spot.
• Sophomore Rachel Johnson has shown promise as an impact blocker on the front line...
• The remainder of the team has exhibited skill, athleticism, and poise 

With absolutely no disrespect to other Middlesex League teams, I think that every player on the team this year would start on most ML teams. Having watched the team for the past nine seasons, I have no doubt that this is the deepest team from players 5-13 in the history of Melrose volleyball. 

The role of 'reserve' players can't go unmentioned. During the 24-1 2005 season, Melrose traveled to Andover (Division I State runner-up to powerful Barnstable) to face the Warriors. During the closely contested match, setter Amanda Hallett broke a shoelace (always bring a spare pair) and had to leave the contest. Taylor Pearson came off the bench cold, and Melrose won 6 of the 7 points she played, until Amanda subbed in. Melrose won the match 3-2 before a huge crowd, in what I consider the second greatest regular season win for the program after last season's defeat of Barnstable. 

Tomorrow Melrose travels to Medway for the annual play day round robin scrimmage. 

They're back.