We talk about "chalk" when discussing how the results follow the seedings or not. Historically, the seedings had little to do with the results, because top-seeded teams with great records against weak teams often never advanced past early rounds.
The MIAA deployed a new system this year and four of the top five seeds made the Final Four.
Westborough (1) advanced with a 3-1 win over Dartmouth (8).
King Philip (2) punched their ticket with a 3-0 win over ML sisters Woburn (10).
Hopkinton (3) cruised past Westwood (6) in straight sets.
Melrose (5) was the lone exception with its 3-2 win over Billerica (4).
This leads us to the newest rankings from The Boston Globe.
That doesn't mean the system is perfect but it's a vast improvement on the old system. There is no "easy bracket" to the Final Four.
Observations:
1) Not everyone is a fan of the GoFan.com ticketing system and its surcharges.
2) It pays to play a challenging schedule. In addition to the Middlesex League opponents, Melrose preseason and regular season opponents Newton North, Frontier, and Lynnfield are still alive in their divisions. Adversity late in the season helped propel Melrose's playoff run.
3) Billerica's new facility had an electric atmosphere in an ultra-modern setting.
4) You go where your stars take you and with senior leadership. Melrose leveraged both.
5) And system replenishment with youthful experience helps teams get to the top and stay highly competitive.
6) Never underestimate the role that coaches have in player and team development, scouting, and game planning. Coach Celli has been getting it done at Melrose for over twenty years.
As of 7 A.M. the MIAA hasn't announced the venues and times for the semifinals.
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