Wakefield was desperate for a win and looked destiny squarely in the face winning the first two sets 25-18 and 25-20. But like a battleship turning, Melrose righted itself and captured the final three 25-22, 25-17, and 15-13. The win moves Melrose to 14-1.
Melrose came into tonight's contest versus Wakefield with a 21-0 record against our northern neighbor.
Meanwhile, Melrose entered with a late lineup shift secondary to an injury to junior middle Sofia Papatsoris who had starred in the middle. The lineup shifting threatened to disrupt Melrose's team coordination.
Wakefield dominated with solid defense and capitalized on a myriad of Melrose errors. Melrose struggled to find successful combinations until Coach Scott Celli moved Manon Marchais to the middle where she had a strong performance.
The critical elements in the comeback included Marchais in the middle, reducing errors, and exceptional 'pounding of the pumpkin' by Sadie Jaggers and Sabine Wenzel.
Wenzel dominated set four and had numerous key blocks during the ultimate set.
Melrose trailed 8-6 at the exchange only to trail 10-6 after a timeout. But a huge point from Sabine got Melrose back into it at 7-10. Melrose rallied to go up 13-11 on that 7-1 run only to see the score leveled on a service error and a Wakefield kill. But Melrose went to match point with a kill and setter Leah Fowke delivered a 'cheddar biscuit' to Sadie outside and she pounded it down to claim victory.
Melrose Notes: A large, loud contingent from Melrose dominated the cheering. A group of French foreign exchange students particularly were full-throated cheerleaders.
Melrose is back at it Thursday hosting Burlington.
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