GIA VLAJKOVIC goes for the kill during Melrose’s 3-2 win over Belmont. (photo by Raj Das, edphotos.com)
Belmont, Woburn can’t hang in with Melrose
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High girls’ volleyball team opened their season on a winning note by taking down two Middlesex Large opponents in Belmont and Woburn.
Melrose (2-1) bounced back from an opening season loss against non-league Peabody. But it was pure domination against Woburn on the road on Sept 8 when Melrose picked up a 3-0 sweep over the Tanners. And that was capped off with a 3-2 win over Belmont this past Monday at home.
Senior captain Gia Vlajkovic has emerged as an offensive weapon and she had a monster 24 kills against Belmont. She and co-captains Chloe Gentile and Sadie Jaggers have represented most of Melrose’s offense, while setter Ruth Breen has stepped up to the plate and aided Melrose’s hitters with two strong performances in a row. She earned 29 assists against the Marauders.
Defensively, back row work by Emma Desmond and Grace Gentile has also often made the difference between a successful set and a dropped one.
Previously, Melrose fell rather uncharacteristically to a “tough as advertised” Peabody team, as Melrose spent most of the game trying to determine a lineup, while establishing an outside hitting position. With more laser focus they were able to bite back when it came to opening up against their two Middlesex Large opponents, and hope to do so against Reading as well when they travel to Rocket territory on Wednesday (post deadline)
Melrose will host Watertown this Friday evening at 5:30 at home.
