Revenge was “sweep” when Weston was eliminated, 3-0
Published in the November 11, 2016 edition
MELROSE VOLLEYBALL had plenty to reason to celebrate on Nov. 4 when they took out a tough Weston opponent, 3-0, in the opening round of the Div. 2 North playoffs. (Steve Karamapalas photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE — The Melrose Lady Raider volleyball team punched their ticket to the Div. 2 North quarterfinals on Friday, Nov. 4 with a 3-0 win over Weston at a mobbed Melrose Middle School gym. Fans got what they came for as Melrose played one of its best gams of the year against rival Weston, a team who ended the Raiders playoff run two seasons ago. Melrose reversed course, eliminating the Wildcats in sets of 25-19, 25-20 and 25-20 and moving on to play Winchester.
Melrose was led on offense from Victoria Crovo, who had 11 kills, along with Cat Torpey with 7. Melrose setter Lily Fitzgerald had the game of her season with 24 assists, and several well timed kills that broke ties in the back-and-forth match. Melrose, meanwhile, had to contend with one of the best hitters in the state: senior Athena Ardila, an over 6’0″ power hitter.
“This was a great game. Weston played really well. I think our last two matches this season prepared us for this game,” said Melrose coach Scott Celli. “They had one of best hitters in the state but we did a good job on her. We played a real strong all-around match, I’m really proud of the girls.”
“Tonight was really fun,” said Melrose junior setter Lily Fitzgerald. “It was a real tight game but we defended them pretty well.”
Senior captain Kaitlyn MacInnes considered it a team effort. “We played really well as a unit and had a strong blocking game. That helped give us momentum.”
Melrose played a tense first set with the scores locked in ties of 2, 3 and 7 and it remained a one point game thanks to hitting from Cat Torpey and Saoirse Connolly. Melrose’s Lydia Lombardo had a terrific service run that allowed Melrose to take a lead of 14-8. Victoria Crovo and Cat Torpey’s hitting helped Melrose take a lead of 19-14, while Torpey had a beautiful cross court shot to make it a 21-17 game. Victoria had two more kills that had Melrose take a first set victory of 25-19.
Second set was even more intense, both teams locked in at draws of 5-5, 8-8, 11-11 and 14-14 until Melrose took over to wrap it up at 25-20. Fitzgerald dazzled in the set; the setter had four kills in the match including the game winner, while Lydia Lombardo helped break ties with several well executed kills, including one off the rafters on a great assist by libero Kaitlyn MacInnes, who had another remarkably acrobatic performance on defense.
Set three also was gripping, with ties at 2-2, 4-4, 8-8, 14-14 and 18-18, behind the work of Victoria Crovo and Saoirse Connolly for Melrose, who had several block kills to snuff out Ardilla on hitting. Melrose’s Katie Donovan had a strong service run to help Melrose break a 18-18 tie to a 22-20 advantage, while some monster kills by Victoria Crovo and Cat Torpey closed the door on the set, which culminated in a MacInnes ace to end things. Melrose took the set 25-20 and overall 3-0 win.
Coach Celli noted the team’s strong effort on the line. “Our serve was really good tonight. When we got momentum they stated missing serves. We played with the lead most of the night and when we fell behind we found ways to get back in. I’m proud of the girls for showing resiliency and I think it speaks a lot about the leadership we have on our team.”
Senior captain Victoria Crovo spoke of the team’s effort to shut down Ardilla. “Athena’s one of the greatest I’ve seen and you just have to minimize her impact. Cat [Torpey] had a great block on her weak side and you can’t get by Cat.” Crovo also credited her coach for preparing the team for a tough first round. “We played the fourth best team in the state and the best team in the state in our last two games. Mr. Celli always prepares us.”
Fitzgerald, meanwhile was adept at finding open floor space and seemed to bring a steely resolve to the game. “Lily ran the offense pretty well,” said Celli. “There was a pretty good setter on the other side but I’ll take my setter any day.”
