Published October 2, 2019

STONEHAM — The Wakefield High volleyball team played in Stoneham on Friday looking to bounce back from a loss to Melrose earlier in the week.

The Warriors started fast with a 25-16 set one victory, dropped the second set 25-19, but responded with identical wins of 25-17 in the third and fourth sets to win it 3-1.

The victory was Wakefield’s third in their last four matches as they improved to 3-5 on the season.

MADDIE MELANSON continues to play well at the net for Wakefield. (Dan Pawlowski Photo)

Wakefield jumped out to an early lead in the first set, with an ace from Clara Butler bringing the advantage to 20-9.

The Warriors executed a perfect point to jump to 21 with a dig from Katie Pearl, a Butler set and a thunderous kill by Mia Desruisseaux that brought plenty of noise from the Wakefield fans.

The Spartans battled back and eventually cut the lead to 24-16 but a Stoneham mishit finished up the set.

Stoneham built back some momentum with that late surge that carried over to the second set as they started with a 3-0 lead.

The Warriors didn’t panic but steadily evened it out. Another Butler ace gave Wakefield the lead back at 5-4 and another Desruisseaux kill made it 8-6.

THE WARRIORS celebrate a kill by Mia Desruisseaux (20) during their 3-1 win over Stoneham on Friday. (Dan Pawlowski Photo)

Maddie Melanson later reclaimed the lead at 11-10 by winning a battle at the net.

The Warriors started to miss their mark on some hits and head coach Sasha Duprey called a timeout with the set slipping away. Melanson had another tough kill in the middle and libero Jordyn Pugsley had a strong read in the back to keep a rally alive as Wakefield looked to recover down 20-16.

Wakefield may have made a run if not for an injury to key hitter Maddie Burke.

The Warriors responded about as well as they could in the third and fourth sets, proving that they have turned a corner this season. With a goal of trying to beat their program record of seven wins, Wakefield recent success against Freedom opponents has them right on track. They travel to play a talented Burlington team today at 5 p.m. The Red Devils just beat powerhouse Melrose 3-2. Burlington is 8-1 on the season. The Warriors are back home on Friday at 5 p.m. to play Woburn.