Boston Globe Summary, Comeback Context, and More

The Boston Globe adds their summary of the match, including an interview from Coach Scott Celli.

What is the context of this win? First, the victory launches the team into the "Final Four" for the ninth time since 2003, nine trips in the past nineteen seasons. That's about as often as the Patriots go to the Super Bowl during the same two decades. 

Second, trailing 10-3 in the fifth set, the team outscored Billerica 13-4 down the stretch, a remarkable achievement consider fatigue and pressure. What are the comparatives? In 2005, the State Finalists trailed Medfield two sets and 16-23 and rallied to win ten of the next thirteen points, winning 26-24 and forcing the match to five sets in defeat. I think it was in 2011 at Central Catholic when the team rallied from a deficit of something like 22-13 to win a set. Great rally but not in the playoffs...

Two keys include improvement within the Middlesex League with perennial strength from Winchester, Burlington, Woburn and Wakefield (a team on the rise) and willingness to play a strong non-league schedule. Competitive programs know that "iron sharpens iron." 

Never forget that it doesn't always go your way (2011, State Finals). 

But a lot of times...it does. Twenty-something win seasons have been the rule rather than the exception. From 2003 through 2012, Melrose went to the D2 North Final ten consecutive years and won seven times. They were thwarted twice by Central Catholic which was reassigned to Division 1. 

Brian McNally photo, Twitter

Bracketology

Around the Net.

Chris Hurley gives his take from The Lowell Sun

The Melrose Weekly pregame analysis