Burlington relies on a very stout back row defense led by an outstanding libero and hasn't yet developed the offense to play even with top teams.
The Red Devils took the opening point and was tied at four after a service error. But Melrose asserted itself led by Junior Annalisa DeBari who scored Melrose's first four kills and went out to a 12-4 lead. Burlington never seriously threatened from that point, trailing 22-11 before succumbing 25-16. Sarah McGowan had six kills and Jen Cain added a pair as Melrose had fourteen kills and a lone service error. Brooke Bell piled up the assists in the set.
Set two had more of the same with Melrose leads at 2-1, 7-2, 10-3, and 18-5 in a rout. DeBari again had three quick kills, and Rachel Johnson blasted in a trio of well, along with one apiece from Kayla Wyland and Jen Cain. Melrose simply dominated throughout.
Burlington's opposition stiffened in the third set, with ties at 5, 6, 7, and 8 before a nine point Melrose run ended the visitor's hopes of advancing. Kayla Wyland had three big kills with a pair from Rachel, Jen, and Sarah. And the back row defense from Amanda Commito, Jill MacInnes, Allie Nolan, and the rotations of DeBari, McGowan, and Cain were all excellent. Sydney Doherty had some fine defensive moments as well.
Game Analysis: Melrose simply excelled in all areas of the game after a sluggish start. Burlington played consistent volleyball and is working to improve as they had two cameras filming the game for development purposes.
Melrose will face AC which defeated Weston 27-25, 25-13, and 30-28 to advance to the championship game for the first time since 2003. Melrose seeks its seventh D2 North title in a decade and goes for an unprecedented four-peat.
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