Revenge served as Melrose blanks A. Catholic, 3-0
Published in the October 14, 2016 edition
MELROSE VOLLEYBALL topped old foe Arlington Catholic, 3-0, on Monday for their 11th win of the season. (Steve Karampalas photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High girls’ varsity volleyball team earned a statement win on Monday, October 10 with a 3-0 victory over Arlington Catholic, a team who denied them a spot in last year’s D2 North final. Melrose swept the Cougars on the road in straight sets of 25-21, 25-19, and 25-16 behind the efforts of Victoria Crovo, who had a giant 16 kills in the game.
It was the third straight victory for Melrose (11-2 overall, 9-1 league) coming off impressive wins over Reading and Woburn last week, and it sets up a marquee event against #4th ranked Central Catholic (10-1), an old foe who arrives this Thursday (post deadline) at the Melrose Middle School gym. The Lady Raiders also have undefeated Winchester on the horizon this Friday at home at 5:00 p.m. The Sachems come in with swagger at 10-0, however, carry a considerably lighter schedule than Melrose. Still, it’s the opportunity for the two best ML teams to duke it out.
Melrose’s victory over Arlington Catholic qualified Melrose for post season play in the Div. 2 North. Getting there required two wins prior to the Cougars. On Oct. 7 Melrose traveled to Woburn to take on the 7-4 Tanners, a competitive team that couldn’t quite match up to Melrose strength. Melrose won in straight sets of 25-18, 25-17, and 25-16. Victoria Crovo had another big game with 18 kills, followed by Lydia Lombardo with 9. Setter Lily Fitzgerald earned a giant 31 assists for Melrose.
On Wednesday, October 7, Melrose hosted a solid Reading squad and prevailed 3-0 in straight sets of 26-24, 27-25, 25-19. The first two sets saw the Rockets push Melrose to the edge, and the two teams exchanged several ties, but the Lady Raiders handled them easier in the third to end the night. Melrose’s Crovo led with 14 kills and Lydia Lombardo 8. Fitzgerald, at setter, had 28 assists for Melrose. Melrose performed perfect at the serving line behind the efforts of Jill Mercer and Saoirse Connolly, among others.
Fans will look forward to some competitive competition that rolls in late this week, including undefeated Winchester, whom Melrose hosts at 5:00 p.m. on Friday at the Melrose Middle School gym.
