Game 11 - Melrose 3 Reading 0

Melrose (10-1) qualified for postseason play with a 25-21, 25-6, 25-17 home win over the streaking Reading Rockets (9-5).

Melrose and Reading share a long and colorful rivalry. Reading had a come-from-behind set win in 2002 that forever changed Coach Celli’s approach. Reading handed Melrose one of three 2004 defeats setting from the middle and using triple blocks. Melrose avenged that in the postseason. And Melrose literally had targets on them in 2005 via posters. Reading overthrew Melrose in 2006 with a controversial five set win with a pair of late officiating snafus. Expect the unexpected.

And the unexpected was Melrose dominating the match, including 8-1 and 20-1 leads in sets. Once again, the complementary volleyball of strong attacking, solid defense, and consistency restored volleyball order.

Emma Randolph led on the court and spreadsheet with 13 kills. The senior-laden defense of Nicole Abbott, Erin Torpey, and Mary Kate Mahoney defused the Rockets like an Aegis defense system. And Melrose builds momentum heading into the stretch run.