Wednesday, November 08, 2023

Playoff Round of 16: Melrose 3 Billerica 1

"Life is like a box of chocolates..." You never know what you're going to get.

Melrose and Billerica squared off for the third consecutive season with the same result, a hard-fought Melrose win at the MVMMS Gym - 24-26, 25-17, 25-12, 26-24.

The win came amidst most unexpected circumstances. Sofia Papatsoris out for the season and Sadie Jaggers playing out of a sickbed. The back row of Grace Gentile, Maggie Turner, and Gigi Albuja were exceptional and Emme Boyer raised her game amidst late elevation into a major role.

More than anything, it was a total team effort and a game of momentum.

In the first set, neither team established control while Melrose handed points over on errant serves. In the end, the visitors prevailed. 

The next two plus sets, Melrose played its best volleyball of the season, dominating at the net with Sadie, Sabine Wenzel, and Manon Marchais with Leah Fowke dealing out a boatload of assists. They dominated with aggression and consistency over the spectacular play. 

In the fourth set, Melrose got off slowly, trailing 6-10 before going on a 17-1 run, to put the game away...almost...at 23-11. But Billerica refused to die and Melrose couldn't put them away. Despite a timeout, Billerica continued on their own 13-1 run to knot the score at 24. 


Sadie delivers a monster kill to get the edge and the match finished on a Billerica error.

Game analysis. Winning is hard and valued even when messy. For me this will be the always be the "Jordan Game" with Sadie Jaggers a lead architect of victory despite playing with acute illness. 

But it will be more than that, because so many contributed. Manon Marchais came up big in the middle and Emme Boyer made good decisions and solid execution outside. 

Caroline Higonenq continues to round into form after missing the entire regular campaign. The back row can't get enough credit for their steadiness. 

So it's on to Canton versus the three seed in the Elite Eight. Local fans with a sense of history know that 'anything is possible'. 

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