ML large teams no problem for Melrose (2-0)
Published in the September 14, 2018 edition
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High volleyball team is off to a 2-0 start their season after back-to-back victories over Lexington and Arlington last week. With a busy week ahead, Melrose hopes to double that win total as they approach league play.
The Lady Raiders started their winning streak during their season opener on the road against Lexington on September 5 and walked away with a 3-1 win. Melrose prevailed in sets of 25-19, 19-25, 25-18, 25-19 against a competitive Lexington team. Leading in kills for Melrose were junior captain Emma Randolph with 10 kills and Erin Torpey with 6. Setter Caroline Keirnan had 17 assists and libero Nicole Abbott tallied 27 digs.
EMILY HUDSON goes for the block for the Lady Raider volleyball team, who are 2-0 to start the season. (Steve Karampalas photo)
Melrose opened at home on Friday, Sept. 7 against Arlington and swept the Spy Ponders, 3-0 in sets of 25-12, 25-16 and 25-20. Emma Randolph once again led with 12 kills, but Melrose saw a season-best effort from Emily Hudson, who had seven well-timed kills and several impressive blocks up front. In set one, Nicole Abbot helped bring Melrose to a 5-2 lead with solid serving while Emma Randolph had an impressive block kill and newcomer Sophia Centrella added a dunk. Erin Torpey helped make it a 9-3 game while Mary Kate Mahoney’s serving kept Melrose ahead of Arlington. Torpey and Randolph would add more kills to help Melrose take a 25-12 lead. Set two was more of a slugfest, tied at 4-4, though Melrose kept Arlington at bay with leads of 10-5 and 14-6 thanks to work of Emma Randolph and Emily Hudson up front. Nicole Abbot shined in libero duty as did Melrose’s back row, thanks in part to the work of Mary Kate Mahoney. Torpey and Randolph brought it home to close it out 25-16. Melrose prevailed once again in the final set, a more competitive effort from Arlington with a score of 25-20.
To date this season, Melrose has been lead in offense by Emma Randolph with 22 kills (in two games) while Erin Torpey and Emily Hudson have chipped in 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Caroline Keirnan has been busy in the setter position with 37 assists. Serving has been a particular strength with Melrose, with a few Lady Raiders flawless at the line. Nicole Abbott picks up from where she left off last year and has been exceptional, with no errors in 27 attempts. Caroline Keirnan also batting .1000 in 23 attempts while Mary Kate Mahoney has tallied 23 service points in an array of strategic serves that throws opponents off.
Melrose has a busy week ahead and hosts Wilmington tonight at 5:00 p.m. at the Melrose Middle School gym, where they hope to collect their third straight win. Following that is a road game against Stoneham on Monday at 5:00 p.m.
