Tag Archive for: Lauren Mellilo

BIG TEST NEXT FOR POLAND

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In their first tournament game, Poland took care of business beating Alliance in four sets. (25-18 25-8 24-26 25-11)

Right out of the gates Poland did a tremendous job getting swings over the net. In the first set, they had 52 total attacks. With that high number they also hit pretty efficiently, the Bulldogs hit .135 in the set. The first and second sets were completely controlled by Poland. In the second set, the Bulldogs hitting percentage jumped way up. Poland totaled 15 kills in the set and had just 2 errors. Their hitting percentage was .361.

In the third set, Alliance showed some fight. They jumped out to an early 9-2 lead and maintained it until it reached 20-11. Then Poland came all the way back with a 9-0 rally to tie the set up at 20-20. The Bulldogs, however, just didn’t have enough momentum to push all the way to 25. They dropped a close set 3 24-26.

In set 4 it was back to business for the Bulldogs. They made quick work of the Aviators in a statement 25-11 set 4 wins. The Bulldogs only had 1 error in the set and hit at a .255 clip. Lauren Melillo has 6 kills in the set.

Lauren Melillo had a monster match with 18 kills, 4 digs, and 2 aces. Morgan Kluchar also got into double digits with 10 kills and a block. Maddie Wess tallied 33 assists, 3 kills, and 3 digs. Kenzie Szolek finished with 21 digs and a kill.

Poland advances to the sectional final on Saturday against Canfield. That match will be at 5:00 at West Branch High School.

POLAND TAKES THRILLER AND REVENGE OVER SOUTH RANGE

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On August 22nd South Range beat Poland in four sets. Over a month later the bad taste of the early season loss was still in Poland’s mouth. They took a five set thriller from the Raiders this time around. (25-16 16-25 25-22 7-25 15-8).

In the first two sets, both teams traded poor hitting performances. The Raiders hit a negative percentage in set number one, and Poland returned the favor in set number two. Each team won a set by a score of 25-16.

Set three was maybe the most important set because both teams were clicking. Lauren Mellilo has a tremendous set for the Bulldogs. Three straight kills at the ladder end of the set helped Poland pull through a tough set 25-22.

In set number four, the Raiders hit the lights out of the gym. Everything was finding it’s way to the floor. Marina Schneider set the tone for the Raiders early with two strong kills from the outside and the offense never looked back. The Raiders hit .348 in the set. They had 11 kills and only 2 errors in the set. They seemed to have all the momentum forcing a set five with a 25-7 win.

If you were to survey everyone in the stands after set four, everyone would say the Raiders had the momentum. However, Poland had other thoughts. They came out in the fifth set and were the more energetic team. Led by the tremendous defense the Bulldogs frustrated the Raider offense not letting anything fall. Morgan Kulchar was getting a hands on just about everything that was coming over the net. Poland found a way to bounce back from a 7-25 loss in set four to win set five 15-8 and avenge the earlier loss to the Raiders.

Anna Primavera led the Raider offense with 11 kills, 5 digs, and 5 aces. Izzy Lamparty also has a strong night with 10 kills and 5 aces. Emily Irons finished with 34 assists, 5 digs, and 3 aces. Reagan Irons had a season-high 35 digs.

The Raiders look to bounce back Thursday night hosting Girard. Poland travels to Lakeview on Thursday night.

Photo credit Seminary Sports+

MELLILO’S FINAL RIDE

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Poland Volleyball’s senior captain Lauren Mellilo is taking her final season in stride. The player who has devoted her four years to the sport is now ready to help grow the program. She’s also doing all this while sporting a very impressive academic record. 

YSN’s Anthony Hartwig sat down with Lauren to talk about her senior season. Learn what her personal goals are, what she thinks her team is capable of, and much more on this week’s Poland volleyball player profile Mellilo’s Final Ride.