Quick Six

Melrose hosted Burlington today and dispatched the Lady Red Devils quickly in straight sets, 25-8, 25-8, and 25-12. The victory moves Melrose to 6-0 and 4-0 in the Middlesex League.

Burlington is not the most recent expansion team in the ML. Those honors go to Watertown (last season) and Winchester this season, which tend to dilute the overall level of play in the league. Fortunately, Melrose's trips to Bishop Feehan and Barnstable later this season will elevate the competition severely.

Sometimes the number of kills in a game reflects the team's excellence, but a small number may also illustrate the difficulty the opposition had in returning routine plays. Melrose had 4, 10, and 10 kills today, with Hannah Brickley dominating with six in set three and Laura Irwin with five in set two.

But even with the consistency of Hannah and Laura, one player stood out today, Annmarie Wiesen. Annmarie had her best overall game with stout defense and several blocks, a number of assists, and a few kills as well. The improved play of juniors Siena Mamayek and Wiesen have stood out lately.

In the back row, Jess Farr didn't get a lot of tough chances, but the libero handled them well. We didn't have a chance to speak to Coach Scott Celli, but are sure he would say the team played well and 'play the schedule'.

Newsworthy. The JV has a large base of athletic, talented prospects and several may be called up for practice experience with the varsity. Through the years, numerous freshmen have progressed quickly enough to contribute to the team, including but not limited to Erin Hudd, Paula Sen, and Hannah Brickley.

Melrose-Lynnfield Volleyball Photoessay

Click photographs to ENLARGE. Photos courtesy of Don Norris.

Melrose hosted Lynnfield en route to its fifth consecutive victory and twenty-sixth consecutive regular season victory.Left to right, Allie Walsh, Annmarie Wiesen, Kelly O'Neill, Athena Ziavras, and Siena Mamayek.
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Setter Colleen Hanscom hydrates while Athena spectates.
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Melrose awaits a serve-receive opportunity, Annmarie (34) and Siena (24) at the ready.
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Time out for a little instruction.
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Keeping score is a team effort for the JVs, caught in a candid moment.
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Annmarie on the attack.
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Melrose volleyball supports the Jimmy Fund, too.
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Kelly O'Neill (L) and Jess Farr help anchor the defense.
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Laura Irwin laying the hammer down.
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Siena (24) and Colleen (14) watch Laura pound another point, pummel the Pioneers.
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Another Melrose victory or "Abbey Road" redux?
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Melrose-Lexington Photoessay

Click photos to ENLARGE. Photographs courtesy of Don Norris.

Melrose traveled to Lexington Monday to pick up a Middlesex League win. The team loosens up before the match.
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Natural born killer? Athena Ziavras goes up for the smash.
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Siena Mamayek gets the Back Row Gang nod for major improvement. Here she goes up for the spike.
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The team looks very relaxed here.
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Hannah Brickley and Annmarie Wiesen put up the double block.
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Athena slams while the team prepares to return.
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Jess Farr digs one out at libero.
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Laura Irwin thunders a kill down the line.
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Siena goes high for the point.
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Hannah punctuates point number 20.
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Annmarie and Allie Walsh on a substitutions.
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The JV prepares for their match.
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It's a lot harder than it looks.
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More JV action.
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Wheels Come Off the Wagon for Pioneers, Melrose Tops Lynnfield

Lynnfield was considered one of the top teams in the Cape Ann League. That didn't mean a lot to the Lady Raiders who captured today's match 3-0. Melrose won handily 25-12, 24-15, and 25-9.*

Many of the girls had their best games today. I thought Colleen Hanscom's setting was remarkably consistent, and that Laura Irwin had one of her best games hitting. Siena Mamayek played her best volleyball ever with aggressiveness at the net, and Hannah Brickley showed her customary excellence. Annmarie Wiesen blocked well and had a few assists as an auxiliary setter.

The defense on the serve-receive improved, with Kelly O'Neill and Alex Harlow both solid along with libero Jess Farr. Allie Walsh contributed solidly off the bench. And the team had its fewest service errors this season (four), only one after the first set.

Melrose quickly went up 7-3 in set one, abetted by a service run of four by sophomore Athena Ziavras. Lynnfield was able to narrow the lead to 11-8, but a service run by Siena extended the lead to 18-8 and the Pioneers were unable to circle the wagons as Melrose closed them out 25-12. Unofficially, Hannah led with four kills and Laura added three.

Lynnfield got off stronger in set two, leading 7-5. A scoring snafu was never adequately corrected, but Melrose pulled away to 14-8 and 20-14 leads before another Ziavras serving run finished the visitors. The correct score for set two was Melrose 24 and Lynnfield 15, and we therefore print it as such.

Laura Irwin delivered some thunderous kills from the outside to highlight the frame, with Hannah and Siena pleasing the patrons with some stylish hitting. Melrose had four service aces and no service errors in set two.

Set three was tight early with Melrose leading five four with several Lynnfield service errors. A monster service run by Hannah yielded eleven points giving Melrose a 17-4 lead and they finished the set with an extended service run by Siena before closing with a Lynnfield service error.

Today's victory brings Melrose to 5-0, 3-0 in the Middlesex League. I believe that their regular season victory streak now stands at 26.

Melrose hosts Burlington Friday at 4 P.M.



*Scoring today courtesy of Jane Wiesen.

Wait A Minute? Melrose Dispatches Lexington 3-0.

The Lady Raiders volleyball team moved to 4-0, 3-0 Middlesex League with a straight set victory over Lexington in a rescheduled game at Lexington.*

Melrose dispatched Melrose 25-11, 25-4, and 25-21.

Melrose went out to a quick 9-2 lead and was never headed. A measure of Lexington's ineffectiveness was Melrose having only eight kills in the set yet still winning easily. Melrose had two service errors, and Hannah Brickley led with five kills.

Set 2 was a total rout, similar to 2005, when Melrose hammered Lexington 25-3 in set one of a rematch. Lexington had intimated that they felt they deserved to win (an earlier 3-0 match) and Melrose delivered their reply. Melrose produced seven kills in game 2, with Hannah with four and Laura Irwin, Siena Mamayek and Athena Ziavras with one each. Melrose had one service error in the set.

Melrose mixed up the lineup some in set three and won after jumping out to an 8-1 lead. Siena had three kills to lead, with Hannah and Athena with a pair apiece. Siena also added a pair of blocks as she steadily gains confidence and experience. Melrose had five service errors for the match, their low for the season.

Melrose hosts Lynnfield, one of the best teams in the Cape Ann League tomorrow at the Middle School at 4 P.M. Watch your team try to extend its regular season winning streak.

*As usual, statistics provided by Dick Collis.

Melrose-Reading Volleyball Photoessay

Click photos to ENLARGE. Photographs courtesy of Don Norris.

Melrose hosted Reading Thursday in a battle of Middlesex League volleyball powers. The volleyball version of the Hatfields and the McCoys always brings out the competitive fires in the young competitors from both communities that make them proud. Melrose came out on top this time, but not without battling through four games including two with extra points.

The defense never rests. Service aside, all offense begins with defense.
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Siena Mamayek hits around the double block.
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Although coaches Celli and Wall are the 'brain trust', Melrose continues to have teams full of players with outstanding academic credentials as well.
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Alex Harlow bumps a serve-receive to setter Colleen Hanscom.
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The team is all ears as Coach Celli instructs.
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Volleyball is fun, even keeping score.
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Hannah Brickley and Annmarie Wiesen put up the double block.
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An enthusiastic crowd looked on.
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Laura Irwin hits through the double block. The Reading defenders have good height, fingers spread, and penetrate the airspace above the net.
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The fans enjoyed the action.
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Colleen and Hannah go up for the block.
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Laura goes up for the block.
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Hannah sends it in.
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Annmarie showing good technique.
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Siena and Annmarie on the double block.
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Hannah. Talented. A palindrome.
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Sophomore Athena Ziavras has a bright future ahead.
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The joy of victory.
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The junior varsity has many talented young players who will contribute to future championship teams.
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Coach Steve Wall's chargers warm up.
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Developing a consistent serve is a vital skill.
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T-E-A-M. "It is amazing what can be accomplished, when nobody cares who gets the credit."

Melrose-Stoneham Video Essay

Click photos to ENLARGE. Photographs courtesy of Don Norris.

Defended Alex Harlow hopes to make a splash this season.
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Stretching before the game has to be a good thing.
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Sophomore Athena Ziavras has shown 'skilz' this season.
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Superfan and Back Row Gang member Dick Collis IS the corporate memory of Melrose high school sports.
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Laura Irwin serves up a VOITburger.
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Tri-captain Hannah Brickley is the early season favorite for Player of the Year.
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"There's no I in TEAM".
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Melrose puts up a DOUBLE BLOCK to defend a Stoneham attack.
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Tricaptain Kelly O'Neill bumps a serve-receive.
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Melrose Volleyball has always shown team spirit on and off the court. The Lady Raiders won the MIAA Sportsmanship Trophy several years ago.
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Junior Siena Mamayek continues to impress in the middle.
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Ready!
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Tricaptain Setter Colleen Hanscom lines up a smash.
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Melrose's front line prepares to return while the service is prepared.