Here's a link to yesterday's Melrose volleyball action versus Wilmington.
And a link to Maxpreps.com for yesterday's box score.
Melrose volleyball rolls on. No games for over two weeks meant practice not rust. Melrose hosted Wilmington and whitewashed the Wildcats, 25-8, 25-8, 25-6. The victory brings Melrose to 3-0 in the Middlesex League.
Melrose dominated from the opening point (video from MHS-TV).
Strong-side hitter Elena Soukos left her mark on the Cats.
All the world's a stage and every player played her role. Junior Abby Hudson seized her opportunity.
But she wasn't the only youngster to deliver punishing attacks.
Sophomore opposite Gia Vlajkovic with a gorgeous run-up and spike from the right side.
Setters Eva Haralabatos and Emma Desmond fed "cheddar biscuits" to attackers and Chloe Gentile, Emily Hudson, and Grace Sanderson dominated the middle.
The defense was seldom challenged.
But when called, defenders like Autumn Whelan stepped up.
Melrose plays two additional games this week, a make up against Watertown and rematch at Wilmington.
After a long absence of games, Melrose gets back into action today. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise as young players improve their defensive coverage and face good practice competition.
Follow Melrose Athletics on Twitter for the latest broadcast information and links.
"Control what you can control" is a core philosophy of Stoicism and of most excellent players and teams.
You play the schedule and when games get postponed, you work hard in practice, developing the core skills of volleyball:
- Serving / Digging
- Attacking / Blocking
- Setting / Passing
Meanwhile, other clubs are playing.
Melrose's next game (against Watertown) is postponed for the second consecutive week. It's not rocket science during a pandemic.
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Abraham Lincoln suffered from crippling depression through much of his life. He lost family members to illness, lost elections, and controversy ensued with his Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863.
The game versus Watertown is postponed... not a Melrose issue... but no other details are available.
from Maxpreps.com
Coverage is hard to come by with one game a week.
The Golden Age of Video affords coaches, players, and teams to study opponents. What are their strengths, weaknesses, and coverages?
What can we learn about ourselves from studying video? Know where points arise and where they are surrendered.
Next up is Watertown.
The Melrose Free Press covers the opening of volleyball season.
Melrose quickly dispatched Stoneham 3-0 in their rematch at Stoneham HS, 25-7, 25-12, 25-6.
The victory moves Melrose to 2-0 in the Middlesex League.
"Stars shine" with the customary top performances from Elena Soukos, Chloe Gentile, and Autumn Whelan. With senior attacker Emily Hudson out, Melrose got excellent production from senior Grace Sanderson and freshman Sadie Jaggers.
It's hard to single out others because once again everyone contributed. Abby Hudson also attacked consistently outside.
Lady Raider Notes: Years ago, a rival coach described Melrose as a "legacy program" because of their longstanding consistency. That hasn't changed as the program continues to progress youngsters through the system to perform at a high level.
The six major volleyball skills are serving, passing, attacking, blocking, digging, and setting. Melrose has veteran Eva Haralabatos as a top ten (in the state) setter and is developing Emma Desmond as one possible successor.
Thus far, the strengths of the team include solid digging/serve receive, passing, and excellent attack. Championship contenders need three dynamite hitters in the mold of Elena, Chloe, and Emily and they have a panoply of pummelers pounding the metaphorical door of playing time including Grace, Abby, Sadie and others.
Blocking and serving consistency often require more time for optimal timing and development.
In addition to former Melrose star Kayla Wyland running the Wakefield program, she has former teammates Jill MacInnes (MGVCA All-State 2013) and Cassidy Barbaro on her staff (hat tip: Coach Scott Celli).
Sometimes we twist ourselves in knots during comparison. Golf professional Rory McIlroy acknowledged as much discussing his swing. Seeking more length against Bryson DeChambeau, McIlroy said that seeking club speed had cost him consistency and results.
What does that have to do with volleyball? It's natural for people to compare players and teams from other years. Everyone is guilty of doing it, particularly long-time observers of sport. That will prove especially frustrating in 2021, with regular-season competition solely against the ML12 Freedom Division, no non-league opponents, and no state tournament.
The best advice for players remains to "control what you can control." You control your attitude, choices, and effort. That includes your academics, approach to practice (full effort on every repetition), and intangibles like sleep and nutrition.
Melrose reprises its opening day match today, traveling to Stoneham.
Melrose concludes its home and home series with Stoneham Saturday.
Every season is different. The players and the player leadership are always different. The schedule is different and the competition is different.
But this season is unique by virtue of its calendar, protective equipment, and rules modifications. All are likely to be unique for a volleyball season.
What doesn't change? The way that teams come together, practice, work hard, and meet challenges defines the experience. Process defines us more than results, because of uncontrollable factors, like luck, and randomness.
Look at failure differently. Love your losses. An Olympic figure skating champion endures 20,000 falls to succeed.
Cross-posted from my basketball site.
Danny Ventura presents the area volleyball preview for The Boston Herald.
Images courtesy of Jen Gentile. Click to enlarge.
First, the best thing you'll see today.
Images courtesy of Jen Gentile. Click to enlarge.
Yesterday's Middlesex League action produced at least one upset.
Here's a link to the Melrose-Stoneham box score.
Melrose hosted Stoneham at the MVMMS Gym, handling the Spartans 25-3, 25-13, 25-12. Everyone had a hand in the victory.
Senior setter Eva Haralabatos started strong with 21 consecutive service points. Because of 25 point games, nobody will ever eclipse Marianne Foley's record 28 achieved during 30 point scoring.
Melrose dominated and controlled the action throughout. Big hitters Emily Hudson, Elena Soukos, and Chloe Gentile owned the net and the defense did a workmanlike job.
Numerous players made solid varsity debuts.
It's opening day.
Jen Gentile previews the 2021 Fall 2 season at Melrose Weekly.
"Control what you can control." Bring your best selves to the court every day. On with the show this is it.
"You cannot lean a ladder against the clouds." - Japanese Proverb
Learning, growing, being happen in the present, not the past or the future. You live the most important volleyball day today.
Want a bigger role? Perform at a high level during practice.
Change is the constant of sports. Players seize opportunity through the daily grind, the competition, attention to detail.
"Technique beats tactics." Skill development - setting, passing, serve receiving, digging, blocking, attacking - is magic. Your PROCESS to translate fundamental growth into consistent play defines your RESULTS. Process > results.
Successful teams excel through their 1) consistency and 2) aggressiveness. The best Melrose teams never won through trickery of diversified offense but through being their best selves in the moment of execution.
Hat tip: Jen Gentile
