By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE — Melrose High School senior Allie Nolan has been awarded numerous post season honors after her outstanding work on the 2014 Melrose Lady Raider volleyball team.
It was announced at the team’s year end banquet that Nolan was named to both the Boston Globe and Boston Herald All Scholastic teams. She also earned the rare distinction of being named to the Massachusetts Girls’ Volleyball Coaches Association’s (MGVCA) Div. 2 All State team for her work as setter on the 20-3 Melrose team. As a senior, Nolan tallied 588 assists, 137 digs, 86 kills and highest serving accuracy of any starter. She ends her career with 1,125 total assists. Nolan also represents one of the last remaining members of the 2012 Div. 2 State Champion volleyball team and the legacy she leaves behind is an impressive one. The setter helped Melrose earn four Middlesex League titles, 2 Div. 2 North titles, 1 state championship, an overall Middlesex League record of 61-0 and overall team record of 92-9.
The senior is grateful to her coaches and family. “I’d love to thank my family for being so supportive and coming to every single one of my games,” says Nolan. “And to Mr. Celli, Mr. Wall, Andrea and Athena. I cannot thank enough for all of the help I have gotten from them on and off the court. I also would like to thank all of my teammates that I have played with throughout the years.”
When asked what advice she would give to aspiring Lady Raiders who’d like to reach her level of success? “Have fun and stay positive . … It’s such a momentum filled sport and getting upset or mad about one point can affect the rest of the game, so shake it off and get the next one.”