Volleyball victory slips through fingers in 5th set
Published in the November 11, 2016 edition
DESPITE A strong defensive performance, Melrose Lady Raider volleyball fell in round two of playoffs to Winchester in a 3-2 heartbreaker. (Steve Karampalas photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
WINCHESTER — For the last two seasons, the Winchester Sachem volleyball team was primed to become a division heavyweight, but historically had the door slammed in their face by Melrose. A reversal of fortune took place Monday night at Winchester High in the Div. 2 North quarterfinals when the 22-2 Sachems (third seed) stunned sixth seed Melrose (18-5) in a decisive fifth tie-breaking set that saw Melrose squander an early 12-3 lead and fall 15-12. The 3-2 loss ended Melrose season and advanced Winchester to face Bishop Fenwick in semifinal play.
It was not the way Melrose and head coach Scott Celli envisioned the season to end, having previously beaten the tough Winchester squad 3-1 earlier in the season. “In my 21 years of coaching, this was the toughest loss to watch,” Celli said. “When you’re up 12-3 and only need to get to 15, you just have to close it out. But you know, my girls worked hard, they gave me everything they got.”
Melrose had to contend with height and hitting, a majority of it from Gabriella Fernando-McKinley, a senior Winchester outside hitter who had a hot night, including a lights-out service run in the fifth set that eliminated Melrose’s large cushion lead. Though McKinley only had 10 kills in the 5 sets, it seemed every time she touched the ball it was bad news for Melrose.
Offensively, Melrose’s Victoria Crovo had the best game of her high school career with a game-high 26 kills. Even after set one, which Melrose took 25-21, it was clear that the senior captain would be the go-to hitter to carry Melrose through the night. She did not fail, coming out strong in set one with three straight kills behind stellar serving of Saoirse Connolly, who enjoyed a strong night for Melrose including 5 first set kills. Lydia Lombardo broke a 16-16 deadlock later in the set with a terrific service run and Connolly helped shut the door with two straight kills to end the set 25-21, advantage Melrose.
Winchester sent a message in set two: Melrose wouldn’t leave with an easy 3-0 victory. Carlina Fernando-McKinley stepped in with a number of kills that helped the Sachems take the set 25-20 and tie it up, 1-1.
It was all Melrose in the third set; they ran to a lead of 12-4 behind some monster hitting from Crovo (9 kills in the set) while teammate Cat Torpey confused opponents with cross court attacks. Senior captain Kaitlyn MacInnes had a big service run that extended a 5-3 Melrose lead and ended it at 16-3. Crovo closed it up with impressive block kill for Melrose to take the set 25-17 and give Melrose a critical 2-1 advantage.
“It was a record night for Victoria, 26 kills is the most she’s had in a game and she was the best player on the floor tonight,” says her coach.
Set four started out neck and neck at 3-3 but the Sachems held all momentum, extending their leads with tough hitting and by capitalizing on Melrose errors. The Lady Raiders pulled as close as 18-15 after a series of kills from Torpey and Crovo, but Winchester’s Katherine Skully and Gabrielle Fernando-McKinley put an end to things, lifting Winchester 24-17.
Set five started strong for Melrose, as they benefitted from strong serving from MacInnes, Jill Mercer and Connolly, along with spot-on kills from Torpey, but soon saw their 12-5 lead go down the drain quickly and Winchester tie it up 12-12 thanks to strong serving from McKinley that limited Melrose’s ability to pass to front row. Suddenly, getting three points didn’t seem so easy for Melrose.
From there it seemed all momentum was on Winchester’s side and a gymnasium of deafening chants only added to the nerves. When Winchester took the 15th point for the win, understandable pandemonium broke out on the floor. It was a rarity for Winchester to beat Melrose and certainly their first time in a tournament game.
“Winchester was a very good team,” says Celli. “Have to give them credit. We knew they’d come in tough in the postseason. Sometimes the person who plays best in the end of a game wins and that was them.”
Saying goodbye this year for Melrose are six seniors: Emily DiPietro, Katie Donovan, Julia Symonds and three of the team’s most instrumental players: senior captains Kaitlyn MacInnes, Victoria Crovo and Cat Torpey, a trio who kept cool heads during the team’s playoff run. Victoria Crovo, as Celli noted earlier in the season, has started every game since freshman year (briefly sidelined by injury in Sept.), leaving behind big shoes to fill in power hitting.
Celli salutes his seniors, including his three captains: Victoria Crovo, Kaitlyn MacInnes and Cat Torpey. “They’re three spectacular kids, maybe the best group of captains I’ve had. Victoria was the co-MVP of the league this year. We’ve asked so much of her over the years, she’s dominant and always ready for the big stage. Cat Torpey was another one of our All Stars. She became one of the biggest game-changers for us. She got cheap points and it always turned the tide in matches. And Caitlyn is the best libero in the league, another All star, and the backbone of our defense. They’ll be missed for certain and tough to replace.”
Melrose does return starters, including All-Star setter Lily Fitzgerald whom Celli says hopes to anchor his offense around, which should include hitter Saoirse Connolly. “Saoirse coming back is an advantage. She had a good playoffs. And we have a number of libero candidates too. We’re looking forward to next season.”
At press time Winchester had advanced to play Bishop Fenwick in semifinals for the right to play in the D2 North final.
