Game 21: First Round D2N, Melrose 3 Wayland 0

Melrose hosted Wayland in a first round match and topped Wayland 25-15, 25-17, and 25-16. The win raised Melrose's record to 19-2 and advanced them to the Division 2 North quarterfinals.

Melrose will host Winchester Tuesday at 7 P.M.

Melrose wasn't always in rhythm, but led by the exceptional steadiness of the back row of seniors Jill MacInnes, Maave Moriarty, Annalisa DeBari, Cassidy Barbaro, and Alyssa Abbott it was a pedestrian win.

Melrose took the lead at 1-0 and never trailed in the entire match.

The first set saw Lady Raider advantages of 5-1, 11-6, and 17-11, although Wayland got as close as 17-13 before an 8-2 run sealed the Warriors' fate.

Unofficially, Annalisa had four first set kills, freshman Victoria Crovo three, and Meri Lessing a pair to spearhead the attack.

Set two saw more of the same with a quick Melrose 6-0 edge, extended to 11-4 and 16-5. Wayland errors led to their struggles, although they had the size and quickness to block well. Victoria added another three kills with Meri and Annalisa adding a pair each.

In the third set, Melrose went out 8-3, and at 13-7 there was an extended delay over a dispute about rules. Wayland had hit the ball wide and Melrose was then ruled to have been in the net, with the point ultimately awarded to Wayland. That seemed to arouse Melrose as they immediately went on a 9-4 run with some thunderous attacks from Annalisa and Meri and coasted home with the win.

Annalisa, having one of her best all-around games of the season had two kills, Meri three, and Victoria two, abetted by some excellent setting and attacking (two kills) from setter Allie Nolan.
Freshman Cat Torpey added some blocking power and several kills as well tonight, ever alert to the possibilities.

Game Notes: Melrose played steady if not spectacular volleyball against the outgunned visitors. Melrose continues to work on the block and defensive coordination needed to give them their best shot at returning to the sectional finals. Melrose looks to post a twenty win season as playoffs continue Tuesday.

Four players were called up for post-season play: sophomores Meagen Leyne (middle) and Miranda Lombardo (defensive specialist), and freshmen Kaitlyn MacInnes (defensive specialist) and Bella Federico (middle).