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.

Rockets Second Stage Fizzles, Melrose Goes 3-0

Melrose had a successful home opener, downing Reading 3-1 to go 3-0, 2-0 in the Middlesex League.

Reading brought in an experienced setter and libero, and one solid outside hitter and captured Game 1 28-26. Reading came out punching early, going up 6-2 before Melrose assumed control while Hannah Brickley served. Melrose went up 16-11 with a 14-5 run, but Reading fought back to tie, after trailing 24-21. Melrose struggled to find its rhythm throughout, with only six kills in the game. Melrose and Reading traded points to 26, before Reading rallied to win 28-26. Siena Mamayek did have three blocks in the game.

In Game 2, Melrose went out fast, leading 4-1 and 6-2, but again lacked rhythm, scoring on Reading errors. Reading then rallied to go up 9-7 and 12-9, although the broadcast team had trouble following the score. Melrose had only three kills up to a deficit of 24-20 with Reading having quadruple game point. At that point Melrose turned the tables with a Colleen Hanscom ace, and a Brickley kill before tying the frame at 24. Melrose then had a net serve, but then scored the next three points including a key kill by Laura Irwin at 25 all, as they took Game 2 27-25.

Games 3 and 4 showed an entirely new team, as Melrose began attacking defensively at the net and Hannah caught fire with a flurry of kills. Melrose unofficially had nine kills in the third game, including seven from Hannah and a pair from Laura. Melrose trailed 8-7, but then unleashed an 18-6 run to overwhelm the Rockets 25-14. Melrose also reduced its service errors to one in the game, from four in game one and two in the second stanza.

Game 4 was similar, with Melrose and Reading knotted at seven, with an 8-0 Lady Raider run bringing the game to 15-7 and Melrose closed out Reading 25-11, finishing with an 18-4 breakout.

Reading likes to pass to the middle (setter) who then feeds the outside for hitting. Melrose countered with double blocks, and Reading also struggled mightily with the so-called 'one-ball' the short set. Although they executed it occasionally, it proved more of a liability than asset overall for Reading. Similarly, backpassing for back-row hitting proved unreliable.

Once Melrose got Hannah going, Reading was defenseless and the rout was on. Early on, Melrose struggled both with the serve-receive but also with an element of passivity that gave the visitors the momentum. Once Melrose assumed the offensive both hitting at the net and attacking defensively, they dominated.

The Brickley Barrage in Game 3 led the assault, and Siena Mamayek's aggressive defense was a difference maker. Colleen Hanscom chased passes everywhere and Laura had an especially strong outing defensively. Alex Harlow was solid off the bench defensively in the back row.

Melrose Tops Stoneham in Straight Games

Melrose played Athens to Stoneham's Sparta with a 25-8, 25-7, 25-9 thrashing of their hosts. An enthusiastic crowd saw Melrose to 2-0, 1-0 in the Middlesex League.

Game One saw Melrose jump out to a 6-0 lead, beginning with a Colleen Hanscom kill and Hannah Brickley adding a pair. Melrose had 9 kills for the frame but three service errors as well. Stoneham closed the lead to 7-4, but a 8-1 run kicked Stoneham to the curb and the rout was on. Hannah and Laura Irwin each had three kills for the set.

Game 2 saw similar action with Melrose jumping to a 16-2 lead and coasting. Athena Ziavras had a 9 service point run during the game, and Melrose had an exceptional twelve kills. Hannah had five kills and two blocks and Laura added three more kills. Setter Colleen continued to provide good opportunities for the hitters. Again, Melrose had three service errors.

Game 3 completed the rout, with a 10-1 lead, and ten more kills. Athena led with three kills, and Hannah and Colleen each had a pair, while Melrose reduced the service errors to one.

Melrose returns home tomorrow to face Reading, their usual rival for the alpha dog position in the Middlesex League volleyball race. Since 2003, Melrose has won or shared the ML title every year with the exception of 2006. These teams have combined for some classics, including a 37-35 overtime winner in 2004 at the Daffinee, a Melrose loss at the Masco jamboree, and Melrose winning the D2 North Semifinal at Reading.

The Lady Raiders will look to get the early momentum in the ML at 4 PM tomorrow at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Gymnasium. A good crowd always helps give our young ladies additional momentum.

Something to Believe In.

Click picture to ENLARGE.

Volleyball Captures Opener 3-0

The Melrose Lady Raiders volleyball team traveled to Wilmington and came away with a 3-0 win. Melrose won 25-17, 25-12, and 25-10 gaining momentum over the course of the day.

Unofficially, Hannah Brickley led Melrose with ten kills, and Sophomore Athena Ziavras made an impressive varsity starting debut with eight kills.

Melrose took the lead 1-0 in Game 1 and quickly moved out to a 6-2 advantage sparked by a pair of kills and a block by Hannah. Wilmington managed to close to 9-7 before Melrose went on a three point run with Laura Irwin on the service line. Wilmington again fought back to trail 16-14 before Melrose went on a seven point spree including six points and three aces with Athena on service.

Game 2 saw more of the same with the Lady Raiders jumping out to a 10-2 advantage with more service points from Athena. Wilmington could never get back into the game, with Laura, Athena, and Hannah all delivering a trio of kills. Laura also added a pair of blocks.

Wilmington took a 1-0 lead in Game 3, but Melrose struck back with a "snowman", scoring 8 consecutive points while Siena Mamayek served. Melrose dominated play, with four kills from Hannah, three from Athena and a pair from Laura. Setter Colleen Hanscom was consistent throughout setting up the Melrose front row and providing her usual solid defense.

Although statistics are unofficial, Melrose showed good consistency, with eleven kills in each of the stanzas.

Coach Celli will be looking for improvement in the area of service errors. Melrose had nine service errors during the match, and beating top competition becomes problematic without high service consistency.

Score by Periods

Melrose.... 25 25 25

Wilmington 17 12 10


Melrose travels to Stoneham Wednesday for their Middlesex League opener, before entertaining archrival Reading in the home opener Thursday at 4:00 in the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Gymnasium.

In JV action today, the freshman laden team may an impressive debut, defeating Wilmington 25-20 and 25-10.

Melrose-Andover Scrimmage

Click photos to ENLARGE.

Melrose opens their schedule next week at Wilmington at the Lexington road opener was postponed. Courtesy of Don Norris, photos from the scrimmage Wednesday against Andover.

Middle hitter Siena Mamayek has made great strides after a year of v-ball experience.
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Laura Irwin tees up a serve
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Hannah Brickley spikes, in the shadow of three seasons' banners of undefeated Middlesex League hoop play.
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Athena Ziavras looks to make her mark this season.
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Annmarie Wiesen on the service line.
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Alex Harlow, Annmarie, and Laura watch the action.
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Coach Scott Celli looks to get back to the State Title game.
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Laura winds up for a slam from the outside.
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Scrimmage? Plenty of fan interest even early in the preseason.
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All-State middle, junior Tri-Captain Hannah Brickley follows through. Hannah will hold all the Melrose offensive records when she's finished.
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Hannah puts up the roof, while Athena gets into position.
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TriCaptain Kelly O'Neill is intent on coaching instruction.
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TriCaptain, junior setter Colleen Hanscom brings athleticism to setting, blocking, and defending.
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Laura Irwin wants to get back into the game, enough with the timeout already.
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Most of the team looks on while Coach Celli instructs. The theme for this season is "High expectations, high intensity."

Scrimmage Action

Digging drills.

The Lady Raiders hosted the Andover Lady Raiders at the Melrose Memorial Veterans Middle School as they work toward their season opener.

The original opener, scheduled for Friday at Lexington has been postponed due to environmental issues at Lexington high School.

Andover brought a young team to Melrose, as they graduated eight seniors from last years' team.

Coaches Celli and Wall experimented both offensively and defensively, varying the serve receive formation and substituting liberally while the team gained valuable experience as they point to the regular season.

All-Scholastic Hannah Brickley led Melrose with an assortment of kills and blocks, with effective assistance from a host of teammates. Colleen Hanscom got quite a workout chasing first passes, and in addition to the powerful hitting of Laura Irwin, the team showed hitting promise from Junior hitters Siena Mamayek and Annmarie Wiesen, and Sophomore Athena Ziavras.

Jess Farr and Kelly O'Neill led the defense, assisted by Alex Harlow and Allie Walsh. For Melrose to get back to the state championship, they will need outstanding libero play, as all the championship teams who have beaten Melrose deep in the tournament (Marlboro, Case, Medfield) have done so with superior defense against Melrose's hitters.

As a result of the postponement, Melrose will open the season next Monday, the 8th at Wilmington.

Season Nearer

Young teams often develop consistency as the season progresses. After an encouraging scrimmage last Friday, the team treaded water at the Medway Playday. And tomorrow they have a chance to resume their advance in preparation for Friday's road opener at Lexington.

Saturday's showing featured many players at unfamiliar positions in strange roles, as the coaches seek to find the ultimate winning combination.

When I spoke with Coach Celli today, he noted that all of their veteran players have improved noticeably. We also spoke about the need NOT to manage expectations, rather to set lofty but achievable goals. Every player's preparation and focus should be not just on winning the league title or returning to the Division II North Championship. Only one goal exists, a trip back to Hudson for a shot at the State Championship.

Coach Celli wants the players to experience the feeling of walking into a packed gymnasium with the State Championship in the balance. And of course, that's why we have high school sports, to make memories that can carry a lifetime. Those of us who have played competitive sports know that special feeling, and want the young people from our city to know it, too.

Melrose hosts Andover at 4 PM tomorrow for their final tuneup scrimmage.

Teammates Forever

Modified from 2006*

“Sports doesn’t build character, it reveals it.” – John Wooden

Melrose volleyball has earned its reputation as one of the best and most consistent teams in Massachusetts. In addition to winning three consecutive Division II North titles and going to the state championship in 2005, the team won the MIAA Coaches’ Sportsmanship Award in 2004 for the entire state. The past two seasons the team has once again made it to the D2 North finals, coming up a little short.

Making a competitive team isn’t a chip shot or a certainty. Girls learn volleyball skills earlier each year, and prepare for the opportunity just to become part of the program. They compete vigorously to make the team, and the competition doesn’t end there. They make sacrifices in time and personal behavior that some of their classmates do not. Everyone wants not only to be a member of the team, but a contributor on the floor.

Coaches Celli and Wall have an introductory meeting each year to set expectations and the tone for the players and the parents. Participation fees make it more difficult, as fees help defray expenses, but don't guarantee playing time.

The coaches explain how players can contribute in many ways, through determined practice, exemplary attitude, and of course, demonstration of improving skills. They also inform the players know that they will earn playing time in varying degrees according to their progress. Not everyone will play as much as they would like. The ultimate goal is having a winning team, playing up to its full potential. Understandably, players and parents often find this difficult.

“The race doesn’t always go to the swiftest or the battle to the strongest, but it pays to bet that way.”

Although many players have earned attention locally and some throughout the state, few have accomplished more than a girl who played several years ago- being a great teammate. She wasn’t the star of the team, in fact she often played only late in games when the outcome had been decided. She came to practice every day, practiced hard, and became the best player she could be. She knew she wouldn’t be in the game at the big moments, while some younger, less experienced but promising players would be. She accepted this as a great teammate, because she valued being part of the team and contributing however she could. Her best friend, Marianne Foley, became an All-Scholastic, while she cheered and supported the team. Both shared the moment of becoming Melrose's first Division II North volleyball champions, a team that went 22-2 and came within a point of going to the state championship, losing to the ultimate champions, Marlboro. And everyone knew that Danielle Burke was a great teammate, a part of Melrose volleyball history.

Current Schedule

Click charts to ENLARGE.


Note how the better players have a solid 'approach', back armswing to launch into the jump and a solid forward swing.

The Melrose Lady Raiders Volleyball schedule with plenty of road action. The team starts the season with a three game road trip, and then opens up at home on Thursday September 11th with archrival Reading. Later they go to the 'West Coast' (Watertown and Belmont).' In preparation for the post-season, Melrose plays a series of tough road contests, at Barnstable, North Andover, and Bishp Feehan, excepting North Andover, the "southern" swing.

Playday

Libero Serve Receive highlights

Melrose played a series of scrimmages, Friday against Newton North, a perennial Division I power and Saturday in a round robin "playday" at Medway.

At Medway, Melrose played a number of top Central and Western Massachusetts teams, including Hopkinton, Frontier, Medway, Westborough, Medfield, and Franklin.

Coaches Celli and Wall had the opportunity to review their veteran and younger players against a variety of competition, and assess areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. They also had to account for the limited practice time while getting the team ready for the regular season.

The team played with great enthusiasm and obviously will look to become more consistent with more practice. Considering the early season scrimmage, the Lady Raiders had relatively few service errors. They can spend this week refining the serve-receive-pass game and hitting consistency while they build toward their opener against Lexington. The ability to dig and pass the first pass cannot be understated to initiate the offensive attack.

For the team to go deep into the playoffs, they'll need to work to develop a constant 'attack' mentality, keeping opponents on the defensive.

They scrimmage Andover Wednesday at 4:00.

Historically, Reading has posed the greatest challenge for Melrose as they seek to defend their Middlesex League title with Lexington next in line in the ML.

Better Than a Thousand Words

Click photos to ENLARGE.

The Lady Raiders prepare for the new season, looking to better last season's outstanding 22-1 campaign that ended at the hands of Central Catholic. Melrose returns a young, but experienced team that will compete against the top area teams this season.All-state middle hitter Tri-captain Hannah Brickley looks to add the most serious hardware to her trophy case, a D2 North Championship and beyond.
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A pair of basketball standouts, setter Colleen Hanscom (L) and Siena Mamayek will ably assist the Melrose offense.
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With a full season of varsity experience under her belt, Laura Irwin will be a formidable outside hitter who can deliver with the best in Melrose history.
__________________________________________________________Fortunately, defender Jess Farr will only have to deal with one ball at a time this season.
______________________________________________________A panoramic view of much of the team, from left, Hannah Brickley, Athena Ziavras, Jess Farr, Alex Harlow, Allie Walsh, Siena Mamayek, Kelly O'Neill, and Annmarie Wiesen.
_____________________________________________________Alex Harlow competes for time in the back row.
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Sophomore Athena Ziavras looks to transform potential into performance.
_________________________________________________Senior Tri-Captain Kelly O'Neill has her game face on already.
______________________________________________________Tricaptain Setter Colleen Hanscom brings athleticism and versatility including blocking power to the position. Jess Farr looks on (R).
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Annmarie (R) penetrates the net to block Siena.
______________________________________________________Head Coach Scott Celli has helped bring three Division II North championships to Melrose and helped make the volleyball program one of the most popular sports in Melrose.
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Melrose fans look forward to an exciting season including a match with perennial State Champion Barnstable. The keys to success include 1) consistency, 2) steady improvement of the serve-return game, and 3) aggressiveness from the hitters to prevent the opposition from getting in position to score easier points.

Photos courtesy of Don Norris.

This Is Your Team

Melrose Volleyball prepares for the 2008 season with new and familiar faces, in rosters announced by Head Coach Scott Celli today. Coach Celli is pleased at the enthusiasm and the depth on the rosters and fully expects to field strong teams going forward. An enormous freshman turnout made the selection process particularly difficult this season.

The Lady Raiders scrimmage Division I powerhouse Newton North on Friday at 2:00, travel to the Medway playday on Saturday, and will host Andover next Wednesday at 4:00. At Medway, Melrose will be plays powerful Westboro and Medfield back to back.

Varsity Volleyball Roster – 2008

Kelly O'Neill (captain) 12

Hannah Brickley (captain) 11

Colleen Hanscom (captain) 11

Jessica Farr 11

Alex Harlow 11

Laura Irwin 11

Siena Mamayek 11

Allie Walsh 11

Annemarie Wiesen 11

Athena Ziavras 10

Junior Varsity Volleyball Roster – 2008

Haley Scofield (captain) 10

Mercedes Ward (captain) 10

Bridget Corso 10

Brittany Adelman 9

Alyssa DiRaffaele 9

Kate Hinkle 9

Erin Hourigan 9

Jennifer McGee 9

Courtney McNamara 9

Maggie Moriarty 9

Kailey Rawston 9

Katie Shinkwin 9

Jill Slabacheski 9

Anna Tramontozzi 9

Rachel Wolley 9

Melrose Volleyball 2008 Underway

The Melrose Lady Raiders open the new volleyball season with tryouts beginning last week. Melrose has made five consecutive appearances in the Division II North finals with extraordinary success.

Melrose comes off one of its most successful seasons ever, having finished 22-1 including a spectacular victory over previous State Finalist Arlington Catholic and a pair of wins over archrival Reading.

Coaches Scott Celli, Steve Wall, and the Lady Raiders have enjoyed spectacular success both as a team and individually over recent seasons.
Melrose has averaged 20 wins during the past 6 seasons, and over 21 during the past five seasons. This has led to four Middlesex League titles, three Division II North titles, and one berth in the State Championship in 2005 when Melrose lost a five game final to Medfield.

In addition to team success, Melrose has had four All-Scholastic players and three All-State players, most recently Hannah Brickley who earned All-State honors last season as well as being named All-Scholastic by the Boston Herald.

Melrose returns a strong core lineup, with Hannah Brickley at Middle Hitter, Laura Irwin at Outside Hitter, Colleen Hanscom at setter, and experienced defenders in Kelly O'Neill and Jess Farr. Melrose has a number of strong candidates to fill the other Middle Hitter and Opposite positions, including AnnMarie Wiesen, Siena Mamayek, and Athena Ziavras. Junior Alex Harlow also returns to compete for time in the back row.

A number of young players continue to compete for positions on the varsity and junior varsity. A large number of freshmen also are competing for positions in the program.

Successful recruitment of athletic, dedicated young players has been a key to the continuing success of the program. Other big contributions have been a winning tradition, a broad overlap with the basketball program, remarkable community support, and consistent coaching.

Tricaptains for the 2008 season include senior Kelly O'Neill and Juniors Hannah Brickley and Colleen Hanscom.

Here is a video with selected highlight stills from last season.

The Middlesex League continues to expand, with Winchester adding a team this season. This adds the potential for longer-term competitiveness, but expansion teams suffer from inexperience. The traditional competition for the ML title comes from Reading and Lexington, both of whom have had superior height and solid coaching.

Melrose travels to Central Mass next Saturday for an annual play day featuring many of the top area teams and some teams from outside the area as well.