Saturday, October 29, 2016

17 - 4 Melrose Falls to Westborough

Melrose finishes the regular season with two tough opponents, Westborough and Newton North, two of the top ten (? five) teams in Massachusetts. The visiting Rangers emerged with a 3-1 win, 25-20, 25-15, 22-25, and 25-9. 

Westborough jumped out early with a 7-1 lead only to see Melrose storm back to square the set at 11. But the Rangers went on a 10-5 run to lead 21-16 and Melrose never got closer than 3 as Melrose (unofficially) got only 7 kills in the set, led by Cat Torpey with three and Victoria Crovo with two. 

The second stanza showed a similar story. Westy went up 7-2 and 12-5 and Melrose struggled to climb uphill. The Lady Raiders got as close as 13-9 but Westborough again shut down the Melrose offense as only Victoria mustered a pair of kills. 

Set three saw Melrose come to life, again trailing early 5-0. Westborough widened its lead to 10-3 but errors allowed Melrose to come back, along with more steady play from the hosts. Trailing 15-9, Melrose went on a 7-2 run to get within a point at 17-16. Trailing 19-16 Melrose won five of six points to lead 21-20. Ties were exchanged at 21 and 22 before Melrose took the final three with a kill apiece from Cat and Victoria. Victoria has four kills in the frame. 

Melrose may have been exhausted from the third set comeback as Westborough went into overdrive, leading 6-0, 11-3, 16-4, and 20-6. Melrose again struggled offensively against the stout Ranger defense and the Rangers finished the set at 25-9.

Box Score courtesy of Dick Collis


Division 2 standings as of Thursday, October 27. 


Wednesday, October 26, 2016

17 - 3. Melrose 3 Stoneham 0

Melrose clinched a tie for the Middlesex League title with a road win against Stoneham. 


Remaining schedule. Two headline games...top five Massachusetts teams. 


Melrose - Watertown Photoessay

Images courtesy of Steve Karampalas

Freshman defender Nicole Abbott made her varsity debut. 







































Sunday, October 23, 2016

Roster Update


Freshman Nicole Abbott recently earned promotion to the Varsity roster. 

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Middlesex League Standings

Melrose remains tied with Winchester at the top of the Middlesex League. 


Victoria Crovo has dominated the ML, averaging over four kills/set since returning from injury. 

Lily Fitzgerald is near the top of the ML in assists. 



Melrose - Wakefield Photoessay

Steve Karampalas shares some snaps. Click to enlarge frames.