Game 10: Melrose 3 Winchester 2

"We're halfway there, ohhh, living on a prayer..." 

Melrose finishes the first half of the season with a draining 25-17, 20-25, 30-32, 25-22, 15-13 win at Winchester. The win lifts Melrose's record to 9-1 heading into another tough battle Friday hosting Lexington. 

As promised Winchester landed their best shots, with an exceptional game from their libero, junior Margo Kaduson who rocketed Winchester to an early 4-0 lead. Melrose responded with an 11-2 run to go up 11-6. A Winchester timeout got the Red and Black to 17-14 but Melrose closed the set. 

The second set saw Melrose struggle with a series of unforced errors and Winchester play more consistent volleyball to control the set. 

The third set was a donnybrook. Melrose trailed 7-10 and 14-21 but fought back to tie at 21 on a Sofia Papatsoris block. The match seesawed into extra points, Melrose trailing 27-28 when a controversial under the net call got a Melrose point neutralized. Sadie Jaggers scored a winner to extend the set. Melrose had more chances but staggered to a set loss abetted by service miscues. 

Melrose dominated early in the fourth leading 13-7 before a Winchester timeout spurred a rally to 15-13 forcing a Scott Celli timeout. Melrose edged to 21-17 with the trio of Jaggers, Papatsoris, and especially Sabine Wenzel keeping Melrose ahead. Winchester got as close as 24-22 before Sabine slammed the door to take the set. 

Melrose jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the decisive fifth set with a Grace Gentile service run. Timeout Winchester. Winchester fought back to sevens before a rare 'delayed service' call got Melrose and point and a switch of sides. Melrose led 12-9 forcing another timeout getting Winchester a break to knot the score at 13. Sofia made another great play with a winner to put Melrose ahead 14-13 and on match point, more Papatsoris front row pressure led a Winchester return to sail wide for the win. 

Game notes: Hannah Brickley holds the team records with 30 and 29 kills in a match. Sabine Wenzel may have put down over 20 tonight as Player of the Match. Sofia Papatsoris continues her rise with excellent timing and positional play and Sadie Jaggers sparked rallies from the outside, challenged by great blocking from Winchester. The quarterback, setter Leah Fowke, had another solid performance. 

Melrose deserves a lot of credit for staying engaged and resilient in another long match.