Published in the November 24, 2017 edition

By LUC SULLIVAN

MELROSE—The Melrose Raider Volleyball team suffered a crushing loss at the hands of the Westborough Rangers over five sets, 3-2, on Saturday, November 18 at Worcester State University.

Melrose was appearing at their first State Final since their championship-winning year of 2012. They end their season at 24-3 and as reigning Div. 2 North champs.  

THE MELROSE High volleyball team lost in a heartbreaker to Westborough, 3-2 at the Div. 2 State Finals on Saturday at Worcester State. They finish their remarkable season 24-3. (Steve Karampalas photo)

Melrose started the game off extremely strong. Saoirse Connolly (9 kills), Emma Randolph (16 kills) and Jill Mercer (13 digs) stepped up big time in the first set, with Mercer making the impressive digs when necessary, Randolph racking up kills like a navy seal, and Connolly spiking the ball relentlessly at the Westborough Ranger’s feet. Melrose also performed almost flawless at the service line. Lily Fitzgerald (29 assists) was on point as well putting the ball exactly where it needed to be so her teammates could rain fire down on the Rangers. After what seemed like no time at all, Lydia Lombardo (5 kills) came through with the supersonic finishing spike to push Melrose ahead by one set, 25-17.

The second set started with Melrose riding an absolute tsunami of momentum and Westborough barley able to keep their heads above water. The Raiders came out swinging: making the important digs, setting the ball practically gift wrapped, and spiking with finishing power. So it was no surprise when Melrose rushed ahead in the second set as well, with Emma Randolph providing some excellent offense, and Jill Mercer coming in clutch with dig after dig. Halfway through the set the score was Melrose 12, Westborough 8 when the ball came soaring over the net for Jill Mercer to stop, getting under it in the nick of time for the dig, sending the ball over to Lily Fitzgerald who set the ball nicely from the off angle in just the right spot for Lydia Lombardo to come down on it for a major spike to keep Melrose rolling. Immediately following this point, Lily Fitzgerald set another volley that came her way, this time for Emma Randolph to spike with the swiftness for another Melrose point. From here Fitzgerald kept the points rolling in with a series of fantastic serves that brought the score all the up to Melrose 20, Westborough 8. Emily Hudson stepped in for a bit of misdirection here leaping up, feigning the spike but then lightly tapping the ball over the net for Melrose’s 21st point. Erin Torpey, Emma Randolph and Mary-Catherine Mahoney followed up with some excellent sets that would all result in spikes to bring Melrose to the game point, which was handled by Saoirse Connolly who jumped up to successfully block a Ranger spike, and then immediately leapt back into the air to spike a brilliantly set ball to drive the nail into Westborough’s second set coffin, 25-15.

The third set started with the arena positively shaking from the crowd roaring as the teams lined up, everyone was anticipating a Melrose sweep. Westborough was full of surprises though as they jumped out to an early 3-1 lead and kept on adding to it. However, Melrose was able to catch up thanks to points from a block by Emily Hudson, a massive dig by Mary-Catherine Mahoney and a bit of misdirection from Lily Fitzgerald. The score lingered at Melrose 8, Westborough 9 for a moment until Saoirse Connolly came through to absolutely stonewall the comet of a spike that was heading over the net, the ball falling on the Ranger side to tie the score at 9. However this wasn’t enough as Westborough pulled way ahead shortly after to win their first set Melrose 13,  Westborough 25.

The fourth set followed the trend of the third set with Westborough jumping out to a quick 7-2 lead and Melrose slowly clawing back. Some fine play out of Mercer, Randolph and Lombardo had almost evened out the score at Melrose 11, Westborough 12 before Westoborough ran away with this set as well, the final score being Melrose 13,  Westborough 25 to tie the sets at 2 apiece, and make for a 5-set, State Championship nail biter.

The final set began with some back and forth action but it didn’t last very long. by the time Melrose had reached 6 points Westborough was in the lead by five and had somehow absorbed all the Raiders momentum. The Ranger’s Alexa Austin (16 kills) went on a run and the final set ended early with Westborough racking up the points for a 6-15 win over the Raiders for the State title.

Melrose advanced after 3-2 Semifinal win over Minnechaug

Melrose had battled to a 3-2 victory over Minnechaug in the Division 2 State Semifinals, Nov. 13 at Fitchburg High School to advance to the Div. 2 Finals.

It was a gripping, five set occasion that saw Melrose’s Emma Randolph overpower with 24 kills and Saorise Connolly with 20. Lily Fitzgerald had a massive 45 assists. The Lady Raiders had advanced 2-0 in sets of 25-23, 25-23 with one set to go for the win before the Falcons flipped the script on Melrose and took sets of 25-22, 26-24 and forced a 5th set behind the work of Saida Gamidova (15 kills) and Lauren Barry (12 kills).

Melrose battled back in the last set behind offense from Lydia Lombardo (11 kills) and Erin Torpey (8 kills) to ultimately ran to a 15-6 victory and 3-2 decision.

Having advanced and bowing out in State Finals, Melrose finishes their season with 23 wins under their belt, and graduates four accomplished senior captains: Saoirse Connolly, Lily Fitzgerald, Lydia Lombardo and Jill Mercer.