Postseason Round of 32: Melrose 3 Stoughton 0 Girls on Fire

"When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers." - African Proverb

Melrose's elephants trampled the Stoughton defense, dominating from the outset, winning 25-8, 25-10, 25-16. Melrose brought hitting intent all night, overwhelming the Knights' defenses. All fourteen Melrose players saw action. 

Here are some of the top points of the match...video from MHS-TV. 

Chloe Gentile got Melrose off to a quick start, following up a windmill spike with a strong joust. 

She followed that up with a smash of a return off an Anna Shoemaker attack.

 

And she finishes the set with additional tough net play. 

Fellow Freedom Divsion All-Star Sadie Jaggers added plenty of support at the net. 

Sadie can hit straight down off the quick set, too. 

Freedom Division MVP Gia Vlajkovic brought her usual clutch of kills to the party. 

Focus on Gia on the outside, the 'land shark'. As the play develops, she drifts back behind the 10-foot line to launch her attack. She uses poetry and power to finish the kill. 

And some trickery, too...instead of a smash, Gia delivers a push down the line.

Defying gravity, another Gia smash down the line.

Whatever it takes.  

Melrose notes: The win moves Melrose into the Sweet 16 where they host Billerica in a rematch from the 2021 Elite Eight. 

The clips above show some of the top plays during the match. But don't overlook what comes before the point. Ruth Breen had another strong setting game and Emma Desmond was the 'unsung hero' with exceptional consistency at libero and serving. Defender Ava McSorley was also solid as often strong defense appears 'routine'.