Last Obstacle Hurdled: Melrose 3-0 at Lexington

Melrose effectively clinched a share of the Middlesex League title with a hard-fought 3-0 victory at Lexington. The hosts gave the Lady Raiders all they could handle, 25-19, 25-22, and 26-24.

Set one saw back and forth action with ties at 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 11, and 12 before a seven point run turned the gold and blue go black and blue. Lexington was able to get back to within 22-18, but a costly service error swung the momentum back to Melrose, which closed it out with a Sarah McGowan kill. She had three kills for the set, abetted by a pair from Jill Slabacheski. Melrose played well defensively in the game, which was the key.

Set two had its share of ties as well, at 1, 5, 6, 7, and 11, with the hosts leading 12-11. Melrose went up 16-12, with some scoring controversy, as highlighted by our statistical guru Dick Collis. Lexington got as close as 20-19 and 22-21, but Athena Ziavras' five kills proved too much. Even the enthusiastic support of Lexington from a group of ML co-champion Reading players proved insufficient.

Set three saw several momentum shifts, with Melrose going out fast 12-4, only to see Lexington run off seven consecutive points to bring the game to 12-11. Melrose then extended the lead to 16-11, only to see Lexington come within a point at 16-15. The scored was knotted at 17 and 18, with Melrose then going ahead 21-18, 23-21, and 24-22, but Lexington even it at 24. With Melrose leading 25-24, a final McGowan kill iced it for Melrose. Unofficially, Jill Slabacheski, Athena, and Sarah each had a trio of kills in the frame.

Game analysis*: Historically, Middlesex League volleyball over the past decade has been about the haves and the have-nots. Melrose and Reading have been at the top of the standings, with Lexington and Stoneham in the upper half, and the remaining teams usually struggling. Although parity hasn't arrived, maybe it lurks over the horizon. Stoneham has improved with its youth and Coach Andrew Viselli, and Winchester has put a competitive defense on the floor. Today Lexington threw up a challenge and Melrose was able to respond to remain undefeated on the road. Playing well away from the Middle School will be a key if the team hopes to advance deep in the playoffs without benefit of a top seeding.

*Statistics and some observations courtesy of Dick Collis.