Game Review Melrose - Westborough*

Dream big.

Melrose lost a tough match to Westborough last season on the road to the state finals. This year, the Lady Raiders returned the favor, planting their flag on the Rangers' home court with a straight set victory.

The teams traded shots early, with ties at 1, 2, and 3 before Westborough opened up a 6-3 edge. But Melrose responded with a 12-1 run sparked by service runs by Amanda Commito and Sarah McGowan.

From 15-7, Melrose extended the lead to 19-8, before Westborough made a comeback from 22-15 to 22-19, where a service error proved costly. McGowan and Jennifer Cain blocks finished the set.

Unofficially, Jen had five first set kills along with five from Sarah, with one apiece from Rachel Johnson, Kayla Wyland, and setter Brooke Bell. Melrose went service error free.

Melrose carried momentum into the second set, opening up a quick 8-1 advantage. Westborough chipped away, getting within 12-9, 14-11, and 15-13, and staying close through 20-18. But Melrose went on a late run of five with Jill MacInnes delivering an ace, and Brooke and Kayla key kills.

For the set, the Sarah and Jen each added another three kills, Annalisa DeBari a trio, Kayla a pair, and Rachel and Brooke one apiece. Melrose had a lone service error.

Set three proved competitive again, with Westborough leading 6-3 before Melrose countered to go up 9-6. The Rangers tied the set at 10 and 11 before Melrose rallied to lead 13-11 with Westborough within a pair on each of the next seven points to 20-18.

But the Lady Raiders surged to take five of the next six points with a Cain ace, and late kills from Rachel, Annalisa, and a pair from Sarah.

Melrose had another fifteen kills for the set, with five for Sarah, four for Jen, three from Kayla, a pair from Annalisa, and one from Rachel.

Game analysis: The victory proved a total team effort with consistent defensive play, a minimum of errors, and offensive versatility. Westborough focused on blocking All-State middle Sarah McGowan, and Melrose relied on their outside attack with big efforts from Jen Cain, Kayla Wyland, and Annalisa DeBari in addition to double digit winners from Sarah. Brooke Bell controlled the action at setter, and the back row play of Amanda, libero Jill MacInnes, and Allie Nolan kept the ball in play for Melrose's offense.

*Scoresheets courtesy of Dick Collis.