Game 7: Melrose 3 Lynn Classical 0

Melrose earned a 25-21, 25-21, 25-18 win at home against the visiting Lynn Classical Rams. The win boosts Melrose to 5-2 with 35 percent of the regular season spent. Classical drops to 5-1.

Melrose didn't have any recent experience against LC and found them to be a worthy appointment with a strong service game and a stubborn defense. 

Classical led 20-19 late in the first set when a service error proved costly. Sadie Smith then delivered an ace. At 22-20 LC took a time out and won their last point. 

Leading 14-13, Anna Burns delivered a perfect pass to Sadie who fed Sabrina who went upstairs for an elevator kill.

At 22-21, Sabrina "Air" McArt delivered a key block kill and then struck again with a kill on the overpass. Alisa Dautovic finished the set with an ace. 

The second stanza started out all Rams, leading 5-1. Melrose got off to another slow start. 

At 2-5, Elise Marchais fired in a thunderous attack from the middle. 

The teams mostly traded points mid-set. 

Sabrina delivered a kill and 14-13 and with Melrose leading 19-18, both teams showed resilience on a long point. LC fended off a couple of Marchais attacks before Alisa finished off the block. 

MVB accelerated off the momentum and won set two 25-21. 

From 4-2, Anna Burns went on an historic service run, delivering a dozen service points. Along the way there were kills from Adriana Santoriello (left side), Amelie Johnson (right side), and Elise in the middle. 

Melrose had a massive lead and got complacent and LC closed to within 24-17. Coach Scott Celli took a time out and Melrose closed out the match. 

Three up:

Elise Marchais had a spectacular game, dominating offensively and defensively in the middle. 

Sadie Smith continued excellent distribution and delivery of passes as the quarterback of the offense. 

Adriana Santoriello got her timing back after injury absence. She showed why she has been a top ML12 option outside. 

Melrose Notes:

Melrose eventually benefited from a diversified attack. When MVB got five hitters in sync - scoring from Elise, Adriana, Sabrina, Alisa, and Amelie they looked like a tough out. 

The back line of Anna, Dani DiGiorgio, Alisa, and Gen Overlan played near flawless volleyball. 

Service was solid with the Burns' run a key to turning the final frame into a blowout. 

Next week Melrose has three games, beginning by hosting Arlington Monday.