Melrose dropped a straight set 15-25, 16-25, 18-25 home match to the undefeated Westborough Rangers. The loss drops Melrose to 6-2.
When facing an undefeated team with the talents of a Player of the Year candidate like Quinn Anderson, only your "A" game has a chance.
Teams with high aspirations don't traffic in moral victories. Accepting that the visitors have an excellent team, what factors hurt Melrose?
1. Especially early, Melrose had no answers for Westborough "cut shots," short, acutely angled balls just inside the sideline. That's credit to Westborough.
2. Inconsistent serving cost Melrose at multiple junctures.
3. Nonaggressive play cost Melrose as Westborough's attack had Melrose on its collective heels. Excellent teams win points by playing with force.
4. Above all, maintain elite focus, the "next play" or "play present" mentality. Because volleyball is a game of momentum swings, even the briefest "fog of war" results in one error or unlucky break turning into a series. For example, in set two, Melrose was even at 16, lost a point at 17 and a ball struck a Melrose player out of bounds to widen the Westborough edge. That snowballed into a 9-0 run to close the set.
"To waste time lamenting a mistake or celebrating a success is distracting...the next play mentality is about staying intensely present."
Be solution-oriented. The game is easy from high above courtside. Overcoming adversity isn't natural. Playing from behind is tough. But to stamp out 'statement wins' or more, teams need "ultra focus" to prevent small cuts from becoming gaping, bleeding wounds. "Next play."
Love your losses. Carry the lessons forward.
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