"Every day is showtime."
Melrose kicked off the preseason scrimmage season against the three-time defending State Champion Ipswich Tigers.
Expecting midseason form during the first scrimmage is fool's gold but overall the quality of play didn't disappoint.
Both teams substituted liberally, yet matched up 1s and 2s to a degree.
Melrose used a variety of liberos during the match, Maggie Turner, Gigi Albuja and Adele Akland.
Melrose lines up in serve receive - clockwise from bottom left - Maggie Turner, Gigi Albuja, Alex Homan, Caroline Higonenq, Sabine Wenzel, and Leah Fowke.
It's open competition and too soon to declare positions settled re: outside hitters, third defender, designated server, or opposite.
Mostly 1s vs 1s, Melrose won 25-22, 24-26, 25-21. Mostly 2s vs 2s, Melrose took a set 25-14.
Overall the defense was ahead of offense. The combination of back row defense, setting, and blocking was strong in the first set, with the exception of some net violations. The few "out of system" plays run through back row defenders (e.g. Maggie and Gigi) gave the offense manageable offensive opportunities.
With substitutions, the second set was sloppier with some inconsistent passing.
Melrose showed some potentially formidable blocking pairs, notably 6'1" Emme Boyer with 6'5" Sabine Wenzel and Sofia Papatsoris and Leah Fowke.
Offensively, Melrose will clear up some 'over the net' attack calls and raise attack efficiency. A lot relates to early season timing issues.
Melrose resumes practice tomorrow and has another 5 PM scrimmage at home on Thursday.
Melrose Notes: Former MVBer Ava Burns was in the crowd watching sister Anna, a sophomore defender in the mix for back row defense.
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