Tuesday, September 06, 2022

Opening Day Reminds Us to Study the Craft and One of Melrose's Best, Sarah McGowan

I'm no volleyball expert but I know a lot about the past twenty years of Melrose Volleyball. Today's opener should be a terrific match with Peabody. 

Every season brings new and unique challenges and opportunities. Melrose has to find about 500 kills lost to graduation, so I thought this would be a good teaching video on spiking footwork.  


Learn from studying teammates, too. Gia has the classic run up from the attack line and gets both height and power. Factors that determine the success of attacks include the contact height above the net, angles (cut shots across court short create challenges but the ball travels less distance), accuracy, power, and defense. 

Study successful hitters like Melrose's Sarah McGowan in this video from Jeff Mate'. She had craft, power, and athleticism as a "quick leaper". She was one of the "big hitters" in terms of hard hitting. 


She was also a great competitor and as nice a person as you could meet. In addition to playing on the 2012 State Championship team, she was a two-time All-Scholastic. 

No comments: