Winning never gets old for coach Celli’s squad
Updates post publication:
Melrose defeats Scituate 3-0 in the Round of 32
Melrose defeats Billerica 3-1 (Nov. 8)
Advances to the Elite 8
To keep up to date on the latest game information, visit www.miaa.net.
Published November 3, 2023
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The league dynasty continues for the Melrose High girls’ volleyball team, who have clinched the Middlesex League title for their 17th straight year after an exciting win over Burlington last Thursday, October 19 at home, their last home game before playoffs.
The reigning Div. 2 Sectional champs are currently 16-2 (14-1) and power ranked #7 in Div. 2 by the MIAA, and are expected to host two playoff games in the coming weeks.
The 17th straight title for coach Scott Celli’s squad is certainly a record at Melrose High, a streak of longevity that has matched the age of most of their players on the current team.
And it happened with a gripping 3-0 win over a very talented Burlington (13-5, 11-4) team last week. Melrose took the game from a hard-hitting Red Devils in sets of 25-22, 25-19, 25-17.
It was a spread out offensive effort that saw seniors Manon Marchais and Sadie Jaggers lead Melrose in kills with 9 kills each and Sabine Wentzel with 8. Setter Leah Fowke had a tireless 23 assists and 12 digs.
Leading defensively for Melrose with 20 digs was Grace Gentile, who had a mesmerizing final point defensive effort that including pancake digs, dives and hard returns from a relentlessly pounding Burlington offense.
Melrose and Burlington played an even game in set one with ties of 3-3 and 7-7 with Burlington showing some solid serving, but Melrose’s Sabine Wentzel helped her team take a small edge with three kills, and Sadie Jaggers and Manon Marchais added to it to keep Melrose even at 15. The two teams would tie it up again at 20 before an ace from Manon Marchais helped Melrose take a 24-21 edge. Melrose held on to win the set, 25-22. Burlington took a lead in set two but some fine kills by Jaggers tied this up at 6. At point 18, the two teams were tied again but a critical serving run by junior captain Leah Fowke (3 aces, 15 service points) helped Melrose pull away. Two Manon Marchais kills helped Melrose grab the 25-19 win. Melrose used that momentum for an easier third set victory that featured a critical service run by senior captain Grace Gentile, who served flawlessly and had two aces. Melrose would see two more hits from Marchais, who had quite a night. Gigi Albuja and Maggie Turner had some key defensive moves in the back row, with Turner offering up a pancake dig, and Albuja at the service line had an ace that helped Melrose take a 16-11 lead. Three Sabine Wentzel kills and a Jaggers hit pulled Melrose ahead 24-17. A relentlessly challenging Burlington offense pushed Melrose on the final point, with Gentile offering up some highlight reel moments in the back. Junior Abby Dennison delivered the final blow for the 25-17 set win and 3-0 sweep.
Melrose followed that exciting win up with a 3-0 sweep over Wilmington on Monday evening. They fell to State Champion Westboro last Friday evening on the road. Some recent roster movement will see a healthier Melrose roster enter playoffs with the return of hitters Sophia Papatsoris and Caroline Higonenq that will be sure to beef up the front row.
At 16-2, Melrose is projected to finish the season with 17 or 18 victories as they enter playoffs, where they will host their first playoff game next week (and likely a second). Seedings will be released on Tuesday, Oct. 31, and action will start as soon as Thursday, Nov. 2.
Among the heavy hitters at the top that Melrose will have to get through to earn another Sectional title or even a State title include some usual suspects: Westborough, Canton, Algonquin, Longmeadow and Duxbury, who Melrose beat in 2022 for their Div. 2 Final Four trophy.
Fans are encouraged to visit our social media pages or visit the MIAA website at miaa.net for up to date game information.