Thursday, September 28, 2023

Game 7: Melrose 3 Wilmington 1

Melrose defeated Wilmington 21-25, 25-10, 25-12, 25-7 to raise their record to 6-1. Since 2007, Melrose raised its record to 27-0 versus Wilmington and Wilmington last won a set in 2018. 

Coming off an emotional win at Burlington, Melrose faced a trap game, with potential for overconfidence. Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened with service problems and lackluster play as they fell behind 9-17. A closing 12-8 rally was not enough to prevent the Wildcats from sinking their claws into Melrose. 


Whatever Coach Scott Celli said or collective smelling salts did, Melrose responded to the wake-up call in the second set. 

Maggie Turner led off serving the second set and Sadie Jaggers delivered a kill to start the set right.


Wilmington had no answers. 

In set three, Melrose leading 21-9, Sofia Papatsoris is called in the net.
 


She looks baffled by the call. Go to the original feed at 1:15:02 and set the playback speed to 0.25. I'm not banging on the officials, but it appears that the attacker strikes the tape on her follow-through. The officiating did not impact the outcome. 

Papatsoris gets redemption on point 36 with a stuff block. I thought she was the most effective I have seen her this season. 


The fourth set was all Melrose. With Melrose leading 22-6, sophomore middle Sabine Wenzel finishes a short ball in the middle. 


Melrose Notes: Melrose goes back in action Saturday against Frontier, the defending Division 5 State Champion. A 3:00 start should allow for a big Saturday crowd. 



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