ANDOVER — For a few moments, it appeared the upset and a trip to the Division 2 state semifinals was in reach for North Reading.
The Hornets held a 2-games-to-1 advantage and had rallied back from a seven-point deficit to take the lead late in the fourth set.
But it was not to be for North Reading, which held a one-point lead in the fifth and final set, but could not hold on and lost to Melrose 26-24, 20-25, 19-25, 25-22, 16-14 in the Division 2 North finals last night at Andover High.
"I think we played a better game than Melrose," said coach Keri Verdonck. "They just got a few points that we didn't. But to come out and play a fifth game and to lose by two points, I don't really think of it as a loss. Both teams were great."
It was just the second loss of the season for the Hornets (21-2), the only other to powerhouse Andover. The Red Raiders (22-1), whose only loss was to unbeaten Central Catholic, advance to face Central Mass. champ Medway on Wednesday.
"North Reading came at us and outplayed us for the first three games," said Melrose coach Scott Celli. "But we were a different team from the fourth set on. North Reading was a tough competitor."
It was North Reading's first appearance in the Division 2 North tournament since 2000, after having advanced to the Division 3 North finals each of the last six years, winning the Division 3 state title in 2007.
"For our first year in Division 2 this was pretty good," said Verdonck. "We stepped up and played our best game of the season. These girls never let me down. We'll be back."
Senior Jessica Crugnale led the Hornets, notching a team-high 23 service points and 28 digs. She was especially dominant in the third set as the Hornets tallied 10 straight points. Taylor Dyer added 35 assists while Nichole Cecchini chipped in with 17 kills and Kirsten Morrison had 14 kills.
"We were waiting for this game all season and we played so well," said Crugnale. "(Melrose) is a great team. We were nervous in the first set, but we turned it around and were ready for this team."
The Red Raiders won the first game, and jumped out to a quick five-point lead in the second. But Cecchini and Morrison each threw down massive spikes to set the momentum in North Reading's favor. The Hornets took the second set, and dominated in the third.
Melrose then jumped out to an eight-point lead in the fourth, but after taking 10 of 11 points, North Reading grabbed a 21-20 lead.
However, the Raiders were able to win the fourth, and while the Hornets took a one-point lead on four occasions in the final set, they could not close the door.
"We had the fans cheering for us and we wanted to go out and deliver," said Crugnale. "We did that, even if it wasn't a win. Our team played amazing. It was a great season."
Melrose 3, North Reading 2
Kills: NR — Nichole Cecchini 17, Kirsten Morrison 14
Assists: NR — Taylor Dyer 35
Service points (aces): NR — Jessica Crugnale 23 (1)
Digs: NR — Crugnale 28
North Reading (21-2):24âÇ25âÇ25âÇ22âÇ14 — 2
Melrose (22-1):26âÇ20âÇ19âÇ25âÇ16 — 3
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