With Victoria Crovo injured, the team has the opportunity to develop other offensive threats. And competitive volleyball against top area teams demands a varied attack. That can come from a host of sources - service, setter scoring, conventional strong side attacks, middle attacks and tips, back row attack, and the occasional back set to the opposite or slide attack. Today, Melrose used a number of these to their advantage.
But the strength of the team for now is in the back, with libero Kaitlyn MacInnes and friends providing ample assistance. Melrose got strong defense from Katie Donovan, Julia Symonds, Emily DiPietro, Jill Mercer, and freshman Mary Kate Mahoney.
The back row got the front going, allowing Cat Torpey, Saoirse Connolly, Lydia Lombardo, and Erin Torpey to author kills.
Melrose led early 8-3 and after a pair of Wilmington kills, setter Lily Fitzgerald had a service run to jump the lead to 15-5 with a solid set one win.
Wilmington played a much better second set, buoyed by better defense. The visitors opened a 4-1 edge before five consecutive points gave the Lady Raiders the lead. Melrose opened an 18-10 lead before Wilmington got to within a pair at 19-17. But Melrose restored order with a strong finish sparked by Cat at the net to win 25-20.
In the final frame, Wilmington was as close as 10-7 before they just ran out of gas as Melrose closed with a 15-4 run.
Coach Scott Celli and his staff are assembling the pieces searching for the best combinations that can find solutions against the challenges ahead.
Next week Melrose faces some tough customers, starting with a legitimate contender in Burlington.
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