Thursday, November 11, 2021

Elite 8 Melrose Road Warriors Outlast Billerica 3 - 2, Advance to State Semifinals

 “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”


― Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

Melrose rallied from an 'insurmountable' fifth set deficit to beat Billerica 24-26, 26-24, 15-25, 25-19, and 16-14. 

Melrose used most of its nine lives in besting the higher seed on their home court in a brilliant atmosphere for a high school playoff game. 

The first two sets were back and forth affairs with lead changes and action exhausting the oxygen in the room. Melrose had the edge at the net with Chloe Gentile and Sadie Jaggers in the fight and Billerica had exceptional defense and a breadth of attacks with back sets to the right side and back row hitting. 

After a comeback from 15-20 in the second set, Melrose came out flat in the third and Billerica had more energy during a 25-15 win. 

Melrose came out counterpunching in the fourth, the volleyball equivalent of delivering shots to the body. Melrose got an edge and held on.

And then the fateful fifth. Melrose dug a hole trailing 0-6 and 3-8 at the switch. I was texting with Winchester coach John Fleming.

Melrose fell to 3-10 before it’s epic rally to victory. Here’s video from Ralph Labella of the comeback fists of fury starting with Melrose trailing 11-14 (game to 15). 











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