Great video from MHS-TV Sports of the final five points of the second set.
Images courtesy of Jen Gentile. Click to enlarge .
Here's the link to tonight's Senior Night game versus Wakefield.
Melrose (8-0) remained undefeated with a hard-fought four set win over Kayla Wyland's Wakefield Warriors on Senior Night.
Melrose honored seniors Sofia Centrella, Eva Haralabatos, Emilty Hudson, and Grace Sanderson before the game.
Melrose won 25-16, 25-21, 24-26, and 25-14.
The match featured Wakefield's immovable defense again Melrose's irresistible offense. Emily and Abby Hudson, Chloe Gentile and Elena Soukos, and Gia Vlajkovic pounded away at the visitors defense and eventually it yielded.
The key moment of the match was in late set two, Wakefield leading 21-20, when Melrose closed with five straight points - Gentile and Soukos dominating.
Wakefield struck back to take the third set as serve receive inconsistency and a seeming lack of focus cost Melrose, who led 24-21 down the stretch.
But Melrose found its mojo down the stretch in set four finishing strong.
Lady Raider Notes: First year coach Kayla Wyland has made Wakefield a worthy opponent. Wakefield defended well despite Melrose's diversified offense, including healthy doses of quick sets, back sets, slide attacks and occasional back row hitting.
Wakefield's third set win was the first lost by Melrose this season. Melrose fans remember the 2003 season when Arlington Catholic went into the D2 North Section final 22-0 having not lost a set all season. Melrose sent them packing with a 3-0 win at Andover.
The officials do an excellent job, but they don't get them all. Eva's serve at 15-10 in the fourth looked in during real time.
Senior leadership has offered Melrose teams a long history of success. 2021/Fall 2 is no different.
Tuesday, hosting Wakefield, Melrose celebrates "Senior Night." JV at 5 P.M. and Varsity at 6:30.
Melrose will recognize four seniors - Sofia Centrella, Eva Haralabatos, Emily Hudson, and Grace Sanderson. All have contributed to the team's success over multiple seasons.
A versatile offense separates this Melrose team from some prior teams.
MELROSE-BURLINGTON for tomorrow postponed. Make up date to be determined.
Melrose (7-0) stayed unbeaten with a 25-14, 25-8, 25-13 road win over Watertown. Everyone had a hand in the win as Melrose had "load management" in preparation for the rematch with Burlington tomorrow.
Technical difficulties prevented the livestream broadcast.
As usual, Melrose had a diversified attack. Chloe Gentile led with eight kills.
Play to win. Melrose has as strong a group of hitters as they've had in awhile. Fundamentals and the will to spike are difference makers.
Here's a brief tutorial from Championship Productions. 1, 2, spike.
Melrose looks to build on its win at Burlington with a "Traffic Jam Friday" match at Watertown. "Health and Safety Protocol" issues have limited Watertown to only a few matches this season, but they looked energized and improved in their first contest with Melrose.
"There are three kinds of lies - lies, damned lies, and statistics." - Mark Twain
Statistics aren't everything, but they often illustrate the strengths and need areas of teams.
.@BostonHeraldHS .@MHSRedRaiders Undefeated Melrose (6-0) hands Burlington (6-1) their first loss of the year 3-0. Final point a Gentile tap that completes the 3-0 sweep. Melrose has yet to lose a match. The two talented teams rematch Sat. w/league title on mind pic.twitter.com/prV3slNhFG
— Melrose Weekly Sport (@MelroseWNSports) April 6, 2021
Melrose surged to the Freedom Division lead, remaining undefeated (6-0) whitewashing the undefeated Burlington Red Devils 25-23, 25-15, 25-20.
Burlington was the most accomplished opponent on the Melrose schedule to date, but Melrose got reinforcements back with the return of Junior Elena Soukos and Sophomore Chloe Gentile.
Melrose controlled the first set but Burlington rallied to tie at 23. But the Lady Raiders got a set for Elena and she hammered a winner home. A Burlington error capped the set.
The second set was all Melrose with relentless attack from all angles. Melrose erupted to an early lead and never looked back. Elena was strong throughout and got lots of help from the Hudson sisters (Emily and Abby), Chloe, and sophomore Gia Vlajkovic. Sophomore Emma Desmond came off the bench to add "solid and reliable" play according to Coach Scott Celli.
Burlington won the first two points of the final stanza before Melrose rallied back, but the Devils would not go quietly. They led 15-10 when a Celli timeout changed the complexion of the set. Elena got hot from the outside and Chloe had some impact blocking. The game was tied at 20 but Melrose closed out the home team with superior play.
Lady Raider Notes: Every excellent team gets "signature wins." With a State Championship and eight sectional titles, Melrose has earned many. Today's win was an example, going in and shutting down an undefeated team on the road.
Images courtesy of Jen and Mike Gentile: Click to enlarge
Melrose and Burlington come into today's volleyball match tied for first in the Middlesex League Freedom Division at 5-0.
Melrose has gained valuable experience for its young players and hitters with Chloe Gentile and Elena Soukos out for the past two games.
Captains Gentile, Autumn Whelan, and Emily Hudson have provided solid play and leadership throughout. Soukos is one of the top hitters in the area. Senior Grace Sanderson has excelled as a starter during the injury bug and setters Eva Haralabatos and Emma Desmond are talented and interchangeable.
What was less expected is the growth of Sophomore opposite Gia Vlajkovic and Freshman Sadie Jaggers. Both have progressed rapidly within the rotation and have bright futures.
Melrose faces perennial contender Burlington Tuesday. Let's look at some of the Devils...
1. Be prepared. Burlington will attack off the short ball/short set.
2. Burlington has a solid attack from the weak side/opposite position.
3. Burlington has good defense. Wakefield scored some first set points with attacks cross court.
4. Wakefield did not have a thunderous attack. Burlington controlled the "tip game" under those circumstances.
5. Burlington's greatest strength against Wakefield was a relative lack of mistakes. They played consistenty and limited mistakes. They capitalized off Wakefield mistakes and made few of their own.
Melrose traveled to Wilmington and emerged with a straight set 25-16, 25-11, 25-20 win over an inspired Wildcat team.
Melrose (4-0) continues it's season with a noon match in Wilmington versus the Wildcats.
Wakefield (4-1) travels to Burlington (5-0) in the other premier Middlesex League match of the day.
The MelroseWeeklyNews recaps Match three versus Wilmington.
"Round up the usual suspects." - Casablanca
Here's a link to yesterday's Melrose volleyball action versus Wilmington.
And a link to Maxpreps.com for yesterday's box score.
