Game 19: Westborough 3 Melrose 1

Melrose (13-6) got valuable experience in their rematch of last year's State Championship, but came out on the short end versus Westborough, 25-16, 14-25, 17-25, and 17-25. 

Westborough came in ranked fourth in Massachusetts in the Maxpreps.com computer ratings. 

Figure from Empire of the Summer Moon, by S.C. Gwynne

The Comanches dominated the central United States for over 150 years, thriving as masters of a technological revolution...the horse. But westward expansion put inexorable pressure on roughly 25,000 Comanches, with ultimate victory by the Rangers, who literally outgunned the Comanches using the next tech revolution, the Colt 45.  

And so history rhymed if not repeating at the Middle School Gymnasium. The Red Raiders literally got outgunned by the Westborough Rangers with a dominant strong side attack. 

Melrose opened well in the first set, with strong work from the M and M pairing, Emma Randolph and Emily Hudson. Melrose defended well and Westy struggled to find the hitting range, attacking long repeatedly. Effective blocking by Claire Albuja also contributed to the fast start. 

But the Rangers changed up their attack, mixing up the outside and back row attacking, gaining the upper hand in aggression and dominating the second stanza. 

Melrose rallied back in the third frame, with particularly good work from Erin Torpey and Nicole Abbott, but the Rangers had too much ammunition. 

Westborough got off fast to a 15-5 lead in the fourth set and Melrose hung in, but there was too little and too late in the good effort. 

Lady Raider Notes: Melrose completes the regular season Monday, hosting Central Catholic at 6:00.