State Tournament: Round of 32 Melrose 3 Amherst-Pelham 0

Melrose parlayed a week of rest and focused practice into a convincing 25-8, 25-5, 25-13 win over visiting Amherst-Pelham. The win puts Melrose (19-2) into the Sweet 16 where they host North Quincy Tuesday night at 6 PM. 

Melrose roared out to 8-0 and 12-0 leads in the first two sets of their first match of the new All-State Tournament. Amherst (17-5) had the disadvantage of a long bus ride from western Massachusetts. 

Everyone played well. It's hard not to single out Elena Soukos who delivered (unofficially) sixteen kills, dominance at the net from junior Chloe Gentile and sophomore Sadie Jaggers, great service from seniors Abby Hudson and Ava Burns, and quality setting from junior Gia Vlajkovic.  

Melrose's offensive dominance gave the defense a relative breather, although the back row combinations of Autumn Whelan, Ava McSorley, Emma Desmond, and Grace Gentile all played their role. 

YouTube video from MHS-TV

Bracketology:

Four Middlesex League teams (Melrose, Woburn, Burlington, and Wakefield) advance to the Sweet 16.