Promising Start with 3-0 Win Over Lexington

Lexington brought size, talent (a D1 signee), and high hopes to Melrose this afternoon. But Melrose departed with a 25-12, 25-11, 25-7 victory. 

Melrose opened with Lily Fitzgerald (setter), Saoirse Connolly and Emma Randolph (middles), Lydia Lombardo (strong side), Grace Davis (opposite), Nicole Abbott (defense) and Jill Mercer (libero). The Lady Raiders exploded to an 8-1 edge and never looked back as everyone contributed to victory. 

Melrose attacked 'with INTENT' today, borrowing the Maori paoa, meaning 'strike'. They served violently, applying pressure throughout. This established a calculus of risk-reward contributing to more service errors than usual. But there was no "get me in" mindset. This put the visitors on the defensive from the outset. 

The second set saw Lexington with more life early as they leveled the score early at 5-5. But Saoirse, Emma, and Lydia hit with authority to power a Melrose 20-6 run and capture the second set. Erin Torpey (outside) and Mary Kate Mahoney (defense) provided solid support. The volleyball gods tested Jill Mercer repeatedly with judgment calls on deep volleys, and she provided stout defense. 

Melrose kept the pressure on during the third set and Lexington wilted under the pressure. Kiki Kiernan, Claire Albuja, and Sam Dewey all dipped their toes in varsity waters during the latter stages. 

The notebook. Volleyball excellence comes in three phases - attacking (serving and hitting), defending (blocking and digging), and ball handling (passing and setting). Noticeably since a week ago, Melrose improved both blocking and attacking, no small feat, but consistent with developing young players. 

Girl power. Senior leadership stood out today with both production and communication. Lily delivered sets on time and on target, Jill received and passed well, and Saoirse and Lydia pounded the Lexington defense. Teams that aspire to deep playoff runs bring three hitters to the table, forcing the issue by winning points. Sophomore Emma Randolph completed the Big Three today with blocks and kills, including punishing overpasses. Classmate Erin Torpey has the potential to be a fourth big hitter. 

Scores: 2016 Co-champion Winchester defeated Wakefield 3-0 and Reading (via Twitter) beat Watertown.