Saturday, July 13, 2024

MVB Hall of Famer - Hannah Brickley

"The Queen of Melrose Volleyball," Hannah Brickley starred in basketball and volleyball. From having a big role as a freshman to three years as an All-State player, Hannah did it all.

After her Melrose career she excelled at Trinity College academically and athletically. She was second in her class at Trinity and First Team All-NESCAC in both volleyball and basketball. 

She got her first start as a freshman in the fourth game of the 2006 season and never looked back. 


Freshman Hannah in 2006.

She spearheaded the success of the 2006, 2007 and 2008 teams. Twice teams lost in the sectional finals to great Central Catholic teams that now play in D1 and she led the 2009 team that beat Barnstable and won a sectional championship. 

In the 2007 season, Melrose put a beatdown on the club that had stopped its ML title streak in 2006. "And the ladies made the fairy tale victory happen, crushing the Rockets 25-4, 25-9, and 25-14, leaving no doubt about contenders versus pretenders. From virtual box to wire, Melrose led, with Reading's only lead on the day a 1-0 start, followed by Melrose winning 24 of the next 25 points." That happened with four sophomores in the lineup - Hannah, Colleen Hanscom, Laura Irwin, and Jess Farr. 

Winning big was nothing new for MVB and Hannah helped continue that tradition. 


From 2002, before the "First Dynasty" to 2007, Melrose averaged twenty wins annually. 

Freshman Hannah had grown into All-State Hannah. 


And you all remember Melrose delivering payback to Barnstable in the 2009 season. 


Hannah led Melrose to the first sectional title of the "Second Dynasty" in this win. "Melrose, appearing in the last seven Division 2 North championship games, came in having won the first three and lost the latter three. Loyal Melrose and North Reading fans packed Andover's Dunn Gymnasium expecting a great match, but probably not a five set battle royal lasting over two hours. The Lady Raiders literally outlasted the Hornets 26-24, 20-25, 19-25, 25-22, and 16-14." 

Study her use of angles in attacking. 

When some refer to Hannah as "The Queen" it's for good reason. 

 









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