Awards

Individual awards last evening (hat tip: Jen Gentile) 

Top Server : Nicole Abbott 
Offensive Player: Emma Randolph 
Unsung Hero: Grace Davis 
MVP: Nicole Abbott
Top Defender: Nicole Abbott 
Most Improved: Claire Albuja
Coaches Award: Erin Torpey

Previously noted League and State Awards 

2018 MGVCA All-State selections

Volleyball Banquet Snaps

Sports brings communities, families, friends, and teammates together. Sometimes friendships kindled in elementary school and nurtured in high school last a lifetime. 

Melrose Volleyball celebrated the 2018 season last night with their annual gathering. Steve Karampalas and Bill Heafey captured some of the moments. Here are a few...

Click the images to enlarge.

Gratitude for an Excellent Season

Melrose Lady Raider Volleyball 2018

Every version of Melrose volleyball has cause for celebration. 2018 fits that bill. After graduating a mature team last season, Melrose battled all season without seniors, facing improved Middlesex League opponents and a tough non-league schedule.  

The Lady Raiders had a solid season, capturing the Middlesex League Freedom Division, extending its title run with an overall record of 15-8. 

They won a pair of postseason contests before running into Lynnfield, the eventual Division 2 North champions. 

In addition to team accomplishments, individual players received hard-earned recognition. 

Middlesex Freedom Division All-Stars:
Nicole Abbott, Erin Torpey, Emma Randolph, Mary Kate Mahoney 

All Conference Team: (Top 6 in the entire Middlesex League)
Nicole Abbott

Middlesex League Freedom co-MVP:
Nicole Abbott

MGVCA Division 2 All-State Team:
Nicole Abbott 

The girls represented the community and school exceptionally well and return an experienced team to compete in coming seasons. We have a lot to appreciate. 

D2N Semis: End of the Innocents, Lynnfield 3 Melrose 0

A youthful Melrose squad fell 3-0 at Stoneham to the two-seed Lynnfield Pioneers. Melrose completes the season 15-8 and the offseason starts today. 

Deep playoff runs mandate not just defensive excellence but winning points with powerful attacks. The Lady Raiders couldn't generate enough offense to fend off the Pioneers, who advance to face Burlington which upset Arlington Catholic. 

Melrose - Wayland Photoessay

Images courtesy of Steve Karampalas. Click to enlarge the frame.