Game 2: Melrose 3 Arlington 0

Get ready for it. 
Melrose (2-0) faced a formidable challenge as the senior-laden Arlington Spy Ponders came to the Veterans Memorial Middle School Gym. But Melrose played well in all areas and emerged with a convincing 25-12, 25-16, 25-20 win. 

Melrose countered with youth, sophomores and juniors sprinkled throughout the lineup...and everyone contributing. 

Melrose jumped to a quick 7-3 lead before a lengthy delay (over ten minutes) debating rotation. Melrose came out of the break hot, expanding the lead to 19-9 and gradually closing out set one. Emma Randolph was an alpha dog at the net, blocking and hitting piling up points. 

Melrose led box to wire in the second stanza and was never headed. Sophomore Kiki Kiernan served up "cheddar biscuits" for the hitters and everyone produced. Junior Erin Torpey defended and hit well from outside, aided by sophomore Sofia Centrella. Libero Nicole Abbott was spectacular in the back row and got lots of help from Mary Kate Mahoney, Marie Maher, Erin, and Sofia. Leah Heafey had her varsity debut in the set. 

Arlington modified its strategy and got back into the contest in the final frame, closing the lead to 14-10 and forcing coach Scott Celli to take a timeout. The visitors committed a service error coming out of the break and Melrose expanded the lead. Emily Hudson closed out the match with a brace of kills. 

Lady Raider Analysis: Arlington brought an experienced (ten seniors) club that had taken a set from Melrose last season. The Spy Ponders struggled with service through the first two sets. But Melrose slowed the Arlington big hitters with excellent net play from the M & M's (coined by Steve Karampalas), Emma Randolph and Emily Hudson. Randolph has emerged as a top flight attacker and added a jump serve to her repertoire. Hudson has grown both offensively and defensively with authoritative and decisive hitting commitment. And while nobody can replace Lily Fitzgerald, Kiki Kiernan has been steady at setter. 

Melrose has strength up the middle, veteran defenders (Abbott, Mahoney, Torpey, Maher)
an evolving setter and young hitters with high growth potential. Most encouraging was the hitting intentionality during today's match. Today's potential becomes tomorrow's performance. Get ready for it.