D2 North Semifinals: Weston 3 Melrose 0

Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. ~M. Kathleen Casey

The weight of high expectations is lifted, as Weston came in and delivered their inaugural sectional final appearance with a 21-25, 23-25, 20-25 victory over Melrose. The defeat can't be labeled an upset as Weston outplayed Melrose throughout and made more plays at critical moments. Melrose finishes the season at 20-3 and the traditional celebratory "Tootsie Pop" stayed in the wrapper. 

Sophomore opposite hitter Cat Torpey remained out with a leg injury. 

The match started well enough as the Lady Raiders jumped out to a 6-0 lead. Coach Fabe Ardila called a time out, momentum stalled out, and a 9-2 Melrose lead morphed into a 9-9 tie, followed by deadlocks at 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 until Weston took the lead permanently at 16-14. Melrose got as close as one at 17-16 but Weston opened a 22-16 lead and Melrose had no answers. Amanda Cain had a handful of tough digs in the set. 

Meri Lessing and Hannah Mulcahey each had three kills and Allie Nolan a pair among nine for the locals. 

The second set saw Melrose compete from an uphill position, trailing 9-2 before they began a counterattack. Melrose trailed 12-4 before getting closer at 12-7 and 15-12 behind kills from Victoria Crovo, Stephanie Crovo, and Marissa Cataldo. With Weston leading 20-15, Melrose counter punched to get even at both 21 and 22. But the Lady Raiders couldn't keep Weston at bay as star outside hitter Gabriella Ardila pounded away to close out Melrose 25-23. 

Victoria had four kills in the set, Meri three, and Marissa a pair. 

Melrose sought to continue their season with a third set comeback, with ties at points one through eight. Weston then went on a five point run to lead 13-8. Melrose got within three at 16-13 behind kills from Meri and Vick, but Weston ran the lead to 20-15, a tall order to rally against solid offense. Nonetheless Melrose got to within 20-17, but a timeout snuffed out the momentum. The visitors carried the play down the stretch, continually going to Ardila, reminiscent of the Molly Barrett performance for Medfield in the 2005 state championship. 

Game analysis: Weston simply made more plays, fewer errors, and played more consistently over the course of the match. Melrose had trouble putting them in 'high pressure' situations to see if they would fold under the pressure. 

Congratulations to the team on another twenty win season and to the seniors who closed out their careers, with four great years, including a State Championship experience.