Published November 17, 2023
Finishes 19-4 after Elite 8 defeat to Canton, 3-1
By JENNIFER GENTILE
CANTON—The Melrose High girls’ volleyball team’s joyride season came to an end in Elite 8 action of the Div. 2 playoffs against unbeaten No. 3 seed Canton (22-0) on Friday, Nov. 11 at Canton High, 3-1, in sets of 24-12, 21-25, 25-22, and 25-17. This, after a dynamic win over Billerica last week to punch their ticket to quarterfinals. League champ Melrose wraps up another outstanding season with a final 19-4 record (15-1 league.)
Against Canton, No. 6 seed Melrose would tie things up 1-1 after two sets before the Bulldogs pulled away in the next two sets of 25-22 and 25-17 wins to take the game.
“I actually thought we played great and did a lot of things right,” said Melrose head coach Scott Celli after the game. “Great defense, good serving and hitting. I think it was just hard to get anything past their libero and outside hitter, who is probably the second best in the state. I’m proud of our efforts.”
Canton is likely primed to face Westborough over the weekend for State title.
Melrose has possibly the most deceptive record at a final 19-4, with their losses against two reigning state champions and one, Canton, looking to become one. Strength of schedule remains a priority for Celli and this season was a perfect example of where it can lead you.
“I think Div. 2 is like other years, has the strongest competition in the state and we wouldn’t want to be in any other conference,” says Celli.
After the loss, he gave great credit to his seniors, Grace Gentile, Sadie Jaggers and Manon Marchais’ and junior setter Leah Fowke for their efforts during playoffs. “Grace, Sadie and Leah walked into new key positions and roles this year and it was never a question whether they could do it. They made it known early that we were in excellent hands.”
It was a big crowd that greeted both teams at Canton High on Friday. Against Canton Melrose fell flat in set one, 24-12 but stunned Canton with a second set win, 25-21 thanks to some great serving from Leah Fowke and Grace Gentile and hitting from Sadie Jaggers and Emme Boyer. Fowke came up big by delivering three aces in a row at the end of the set to give Melrose a 24-20 lead for a final 25-21 set win.
It was essentially a new game and Melrose held a 12-8 lead in the third set off fantastic hitting from Sabine Wenzel, but some questionable referee calls and some Melrose errors at the net put a fork in momentum. From there, Canton put the squeeze on Melrose, mostly from their hitter Jess Wright who had 28 kills. Despite some fine blocking up from Manon Marchcais, Emme Boyer and Sabine Wenzel, Melrose would lose the set 25-22 and any fourth set heroics would not come to be.
“We had the lead in 12-8 in that third set, and then momentum shifted and that’s everything in this game,” said Celli. “A couple of hiccups and a small hitting run can really alter a set and I think we fell victim to that.”
Despite the loss, there was much to be proud of. Looking back, Celli believes the team really came to fruition in mid-October when they completed two exciting, wins over Burlington and Wakefield. By then, Melrose had figured out their winning rotation as they worked down the stretch (despite some injuries to starters.)
Celli is grateful for the exceptional leadership of his upperclass starters and captains. “Without a doubt, Sadie Jaggers was the best hitter in the league. Grace Gentile was the best libero in the league and Leah Fowke was the best setter. What you saw this season were the results of those efforts,” he says. “And what can I say about Manon? She ended up being our swiss arm knife. She had an absolutely great playoffs and accepted her role of being moved and was a true gamer. I’ll miss all three seniors tremendously.”
In four seasons Melrose has compiled a winning record of 71-13 (56-5 league) and a legacy of excellence that shouldn’t wane soon, which is a nice testament to their three outgoing seniors, Grace Gentile, Sadie Jaggers and Manon Marchais, who simply played among the state best in their high school careers.
Looking forward, Celli can’t be anything but excited to have so many starters back, including his ace, All Star Leah Fowke and hitting upstart (and All Star) Sabine Wenzel, who racked in a huge 240 kills this year. Back row duty will be manned exceptionally behind the work of Gigi Albuja and Maggie Turner and they also return two starters in Sofia Papatsoris and Caroline Higonenq, plus a string of talented juniors and a sole freshman and sophomore whose off season training could return them as difference-makers in 2024.
Notes Celli, “We’re battle tested and have returning candidates to take top positional roles. We want to see them work hard in the off season, and lets do this again next year.”