09/01/2026
BSN VOLLEYBALL: ASHLYN SCHACK NAMED HALL OF CHAINS PLAYER OF THE MATCH AFTER LEADING MELBOURNEโS REVERSE SWEEP
The Melbourne Bulldogs played only one five-set match last season, falling to Titusville late in the schedule.
On Monday night against Harmony, the Bulldogs found themselves facing another deciding setโand this time, they finished the job.
The match initially appeared headed for a quick conclusion, and not in Melbourneโs favor.
Harmony captured the opening two sets, 25-21 and 25-20, placing the Bulldogs one set away from defeat. Melbourne entered the night with a 6-3 record and victories in 16 of its first 25 sets, but the Bulldogs would need to rediscover the style of volleyball responsible for that strong start to have any chance of extending the match.
Melbourne responded immediately. The Bulldogs raced to a 5-1 advantage in the third set and maintained control on their way to a 25-18 victory, placing the pressure squarely on the Longhorns.
Melbourne then matched Harmony point for point throughout much of the fourth set before pulling away late for a 25-20 win, completing the comebackโs second stage and forcing a decisive fifth set.
The Bulldogs carried that momentum into the finale, applying pressure from the opening serve and building a commanding 12-5 advantage. Harmony refused to surrender and closed the deficit to 14-11, but Melbourne remained composed, secured the final point and completed an impressive reverse sweep.
The victory improved the Bulldogs to 7-3 and gave the program its first five-set win since 2024, when Melbourne won three of the five matches it played that went the distance.
Melbourneโs individual statistics have not been uploaded for tonight or its last three matches, so there is no complete box score or accurate season stats we can provide but no statistics were necessary to recognize the influence sophomore setter Ashlyn Schack had on the comeback win.
Schack was sensational, particularly after Melbourne fell behind two sets to none. She quarterbacked the Bulldogsโ offense, consistently delivered hittable balls to the pins and placed teammates such as her sister Ansley Schack, senior Maiya Jackson and sophomores Julia Schepp and Cambrya Walters in position to produce the momentum-changing kills Melbourne needed to stay alive.
Melbourne also survived several extended rallies with outstanding defensive plays from libero Lilliana Carter, Walters and others during the closing sets.
The Bulldogsโ front-row blocking was equally important against a Harmony lineup featuring several powerful hitters, allowing Melbourne to slow the Longhornsโ attack, create transition opportunities and steadily seize control of the match.
For her poise, distribution and leadership during Melbourneโs dramatic five-set comeback, Ashlyn Schack is the BSN Hall of Chains Player of the Match.
FCA Brevard Sports
FCA Brevard
Mel High Volleyball