19-3 Melrose draws #3 seed; 5:30 showdown at Middle School gym
Published in the November 6, 2015 edition
THE MELROSE Lady Raider volleyball team has 19 wins and counting as they begin Div. 2 North tournament play tonight at home against Greater Lawrence at 5:30. (Steve Karampalas photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE — If it’s November, that must mean Melrose volleyball playoffs. The league champ Melrose Lady Raider volleyball team is off to another playoff run, opening its Div. 2 North tournament against Greater Lawrence (12-7) tonight, Friday, Nov, 6 at home in the Melrose Middle School gym at 5:30, a perfect prelude to another home tournament game (football at 7 p.m.).
Melrose drew the 5th seed because of three high quality losses and appear to enjoy a good “side” to the bracket. Their biggest rivals for a Div. 2 North crown appear to be Arlington Catholic and Bishop Fenwick who will have to duke it out with each other in quarterfinals. On Melrose’s side of the bracket, look for their biggest competitor to be Weston, a low seed but a historically tough program, and Winchester, who has never beaten Melrose but did steal a set from them this fall.
Going into post season Melrose has relied on consistent offensive attack from their top three hitters Victoria Crovo, Marissa Cataldo and Hannah Mulcahey. As setter Lily Fitzgerald has over 400 assists this season and leads the team in service points.
In terms of forecast, Melrose has already beaten Arlington Catholic this season and will always have a dogfight against Bishop Fenwick. Beyond the Div. 2 North bracket, statewide competition Melrose could face in a quest for another state title include Notre Dame of Hingham and Westborough, both beat Melrose this season. Fortunately for Melrose, they are peaking at the right time.
DIVISION 2 NORTH SEEDS:
1. Boston English (17-0); 2. Bishop Fenwick (18-1); 3. 3. Marblehead (17-1); 4. East Boston (15-2); 5. Melrose (19-3); 6. Tewksbury (16-3); 7. Arlington Catholic (16-4); 8. Winchester (16-6); 9. Danvers (13-5); 10. Burlington (14-6); 11. Hamilton-Wenham (12-6); 12. Greater Lawrence (12-7); 13. Bedford (11-8); 14. Greater Lowell (10-10); 15. Nashoba Tech (8-12); 16. Weston (7-11)
FIRST ROUND – Friday
GAME 1 – Weston at Boston English, 4
GAME 2 – Danvers at Winchester, 7
GAME 3 – Bedford at East Boston, 4
GAME 4 – Greater Lawrence at Melrose, 5:30
GAME 5 – Nashoba Tech at Bishop Fenwick, 7
GAME 6 – Burlington at Arlington Catholic, 7
GAME 7 – Greater Lowell at Marblehead, 3:30
GAME 8 – Hamilton-Wenham at Tewksbury, 7
QUARTERFINALS – TBA
GAME 9 – Game 1 vs. Game 2 winner
GAME 10 – Game 3 vs. Game 4 winner
GAME 11 – Game 5 vs. Game 6 winner
GAME 12 – Game 7 vs. Game 8 winner
SEMIFINALS – TBA
GAME 13 – Game 9 vs. Game 10 winner
GAME 14 – Game 11 vs. Game 12 winner
D2North FINAL – TBA
GAME 15 – Game 13 vs. Game 14 winner
*the winner of the Div. 2 North crown will face the Central champion.
