Game 14: Melrose 3 Lexington 1

Melrose remained undefeated in the Middlesex League with a 3-1 victory over Lexington, 25-17, 25-17, 22-25, and 25-19.  The win brings Melrose to 13-1.

Melrose got off to a quick 7-2 lead as Lexington struggled in every phase, and was in control of the set throughout. Meri Lessing and Hannah Mulcahey (returning from illness) had three kills each and Victoria Crovo a pair.

The second set saw the visitors play much better, leading 7-4 and 13-9, before Melrose ran off a six point stretch to lead by two. But the Lady Minutemen didn't go away easily, knotting the score at fifteen, before a five point Melrose run opened the lead to 20-15 behind three Lessing kills. Melrose closed out the set with a 5-2 edge including three kill from Victoria.

Melrose delivered fifteen kills in the set - four for Meri and Victoria, three for Allie Nolan, and a pair for Marissa Cataldo and Hannah Mulcahey.

Set three saw back and forth action with ties at 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 13, but Lexington extended a lead to 19-14, only to see a Melrose timeout spur a comeback to 19-18. The blue and gold ran it out to 21-18, only to see Melrose get ties at 21 and 22. But aggressive Melrose play saw late attack errors and Lexington captured the set 25-22 and earned the first set point against Melrose in the Middlesex League this season.

Melrose's hitting went awry in the set, with only seven kills and a bevy of attack errors. The only question was whether the Lady Raiders could turn it around.

The fourth set began with Lexington momentum, leading 4-1, but Melrose knotted the score with a trio of Lexington kills to even the score at six. Melrose led 9-6, 11-7, and 15-10, but a five point Lexington run deadlocked Melrose at fifteen. But Melrose exploded on a 9-1 spree with a pair of kills from Meri and Victoria. Lexington fought back with three points but Allie delivered the coup de gras with a winner down the seam.

Meri hammered in six kills during the set and Victoria added three.