Melrose (6-1) traveled to Wilmington and defeated the Wildcats 25-13, 25-14, 25-22. This sets up a Friday showdown against undefeated Burlington for the early season leadership of the Middlesex League.
Set 1 was all Melrose as the visitors raced out to a 9-1 lead and coasted. Cassidy Barbaro had a big part in that with three early aces. Melrose had leads at 12-4, 16-5, and 20-8 along the way.
The Lady Raiders had only one service error for the set, and eight kills, led by Meri Lessing with three and a pair for Victoria Crovo.
The second stanza was closer, with ties at 1 through 4, before Melrose went up 8-5, only to see the Cats rally to tie at 8. But a 12-1 Melrose run iced the set with a 20-9 lead. Melrose had a flurry of kills including six for Meri, three for Ashley Harding, and two for Annalisa DeBari. Melrose had three early service errors.
Wilmington showed resilience in the third set, again tied from 1 to 3, and at 5. Melrose opened up a 10-5 lead, only to have the hosts hang around. With Melrose leading 18-13, Wilmington went on a six point run to lead 19-18, leading to ties at 19, 20, 21, and 22. But Melrose, sparked by a pair of late Lessing winners captured the set with the final three points.
Meri came up big again in the set, with five kills, aided by a pair from setter Allie Nolan and Annalisa.
Lady Raider Notes: Former Lady Raider Jen Cain (now playing for Merrimack) was on hand today.
*Game statistics courtesy of Dick Collis.
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