Melrose-Reading Match Review

Melrose hosted Reading amid sauna-like conditions, taxing for players on both teams.

Set 1. Melrose started strong with a 6-1 advantage and a brace of early Sarah McGowan kills. Melrose's steady defense never allowed Reading to get into a rhythm, and the Lady Raiders rebuffed their attacks consistently. Absent graduating all-scholastic Melissa DalPozza and senior Olivia Healy, Reading struggled to find offense.

Melrose led 9-4, 14-6, and the closest the Rockets approached was 16-10 as Melrose won the set 25-12. McGowan had half a dozen kills to highlight the attack.

Set 2. Reading refueled, but still trailed early at 3-1 and 5-3. A Melrose service run behind Brooke Bell took the lead to 10-4 and Melrose extended the lead to 17-10 before an unexpected epidemic of 'softness' ensued. Melrose tried to play the short game, and Reading clawed back first to 18-15 and 20-19 amidst a kill drought before the visitors evened the score at 23.

But Melrose unloaded the big guns at the end with setter Brooke Bell and Jen Cain kills to win by two. The trio of Cain (5), Rachel Johnson (4) and McGowan (3) combined for 12 of Melrose's 14 kills.

Set 3. Volleyball, so often, reflects momentum, and Melrose carried it into set three playing by far its best of the season, erupting for a quick six point lead behind Jill MacInness serving (including an ace), and the hosts poured it on, leading 12-4, 17-7, 20-8, and closing it out 25-11.  Melrose used relentless offense from all angles from slide attacks to back sets en route to the rout. Kayla Wyland chipped in with a pair of winners along with a brace from Cain and a trio from McGowan.

Game analysis: Melrose traditionally plays its best volleyball against the best teams, and Reading, while not as strong as in some seasons, played under extreme pressure most of the match. Brooke Bell controlled the action with 25 assists and was the defensive floor general, while Jill MacInnes dug everything her way, including a beautiful diving 'pancake' dig. Sarah McGowan and Jen Cain appeared in mid-season offensive form, and a spirited competition is underway for the second outside spot between Sydney Doherty and Annalisa DeBari.