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The gymnasium at Melrose High is filled with girls in knee pads, serving, blocking, and setting volleyballs. their sneakers squeak across the shiny wood floor that hardly cushions their digs and dives, sparing no one from bumps and bruises, evidence of the hard work this team puts in day after day at practice.

Glance at their faces and there are only smiles. they are passionate about the game and they love to play together. their chemistry is electric with constant chatter as they slap fives all over the court.

The Red Raiders finished 21-3 last season, capturing the Division 2 North title, reaching the state semifinals for the second year in a row after sharing the Middlesex League title with Reading.

Melrose returns all but one player from a year ago and is poised to make an even deeper run into the state tournament.

“Experience is huge,’’ said head coach Scott Celli. “We were a sophomore-dominated team, and having that year under their belts can only help us.’’

Senior captain Jill Slabacheski added: “We know what playing in tournament games feels like. We can take what we know from being in that situation before, and hopefully ease the nerves of the younger players.’’

The Red Raiders’ attack starts with setter Brooke Bell, a Middlesex League all-star who finished fourth in the state last season with 600-plus assists.

During the offseason she plays club volleyball for the Pumas, a Junior Olympic development team, along with six of her Melrose teammates, and also competed in the Bay State Games earlier this summer.

“It’s good to play against the best kids in the state, and we got a lot of playing time as well,’’ said the junior cocaptain. “I try to keep a hand on the ball over the summer because if you don’t, it’s too hard to catch up again.’’

Sarah McGowen, a Bay State Games teammate, said it was beneficial to face tough competition and play alongside high school rivals.

“We played with a lot of girls from Andover, Central Catholic, and Bishop Fenwick,’’ said the junior middle hitter. “We got to see how they all play, which you can really use to your advantage during the season.’’

Together, Bell and McGowen form a potent combination.

“Brooke is very deceptive,’’ said Celli. “you think she is going to set it and then she dumps it. and she has great court awareness; she understands where every player is on the court.

“Our setters have done an unbelievable job,’’ said senior cocaptain Alyssa DiRassaele. “Brooke does a great job getting to the ball as quickly as she can and makes the best plays to set up our attackers. She keeps us composed on the court and just does what she’s supposed to do.’’

Red Raiders plan to capitalize on experience

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