Game 11: Melrose 3 Watertown 0

Melrose (11-0) defeated Watertown at the Veterans Memorial Middle School, 3-0, showing plenty in reserve as Coach Scott Celli went entirely with a reserve lineup. In winning, Melrose qualified for the State Tournament.

Melrose has a host of talented reserves, who would likely finish in the top half of the Middlesex League this season if they had their own squad. This also afforded the local fans a preview of some possible lineups for the 2013 season.

Watertown took the initial point and tied at 3-3, only to see Melrose go on an 11 point run behind sophomore Allie Nolan. From there it was cruise control to a 25-6 opening frame win.

Melrose unofficially was led by sophomore Ashley Harding with four kills.

The second set was never in doubt with Melrose sprinting to a 13-0 advantage behind a service run by today's libero Alyssa Abbott. Watertown struck back to 13-3, only to see Melrose put on another run to an insurmountable 22-4 lead before closing it our 25-6. Setters Maeve Moriarty and Allie Nolan showed why there will be a spirited competition for the job after Brooke Bell graduates.

The customary libero, Jill MacInnes led with three kills, while Sophomore Stephanie Crovo added a pair.

Set three showed a bit closer action early, as the Melrose youngsters displayed their wares. Melrose led 6-3 on a pair of early Harding scores, and Watertown narrowed the lead to 10-8, only to see Melrose go on a 9-1 run to lead 19-9. The teams traded a few points down the stretch as Melrose closed out the match 25-14.

Allie Nolan showed flashes of brilliance with both setting skills and deceptive hitting, as her left-handed stature allows her to hit without turning her body to the defense, which is quite deceptive. Junior Cassidy Barbaro highlighted her outside hitting in the third, along with Harding, MacInnes, and junior Annalisa DeBari.

Game Notes: Coach Scott Celli made a commitment to his underclassmen as his seven seniors got an afternoon off. Jill MacInnes, Annalisa DeBari, Stephanie Crovo, Ashley Harding, and Cassidy Barbaro showed that they will all be in the hitting "mix" next season. From watching setting candidates Maeve Moriarty, Allie Nolan, and Amanda Cain, I can say the setter position will be in good hands next season. Alyssa Abbott had an almost flawless performance at libero, as well.