Sunday, October 30, 2022

Just Dance - Why Melrose Can Go Deep in the Playoffs


The postseason is here. Just dance. 

Melrose can go deep into November. Why? 

1) Senior leadership. This isn't your first rodeo. Melrose's six seniors all earned spots in the rotation. That didn't happen because of seniority but because of performance.

2) Confidence. "Confidence comes from proven success." Melrose didn't just have an undefeated Middlesex League campaign, but a signature win against Winchester, a certified top ten Division 1 club year after year. 

3) Improvement. This isn't the same club that lost to Peabody in the opening match of the season. The defense improved blocking and in the back row. 

4) Versatile attack. Melrose has three hitters with at least 150 kills (Gia Vlajkovic, Chloe Gentile, Sadie Jaggers). Also, Anna Shoemaker had 59 kills over an eight game span (7.4 kills/match) including eleven against Division 5 top seed Frontier. That also tracks to 150 kills/season over a large sample size. 

5) The Success Equation. Urban Meyer discusses 'the Success Equation'
E + R = O. Event plus Response equals Outcome. Melrose has historically risen to the challenge of tough playoff competition. 

6) Coaching. Melrose's Scott Celli has the pelts on his horse, with a State Title and nine sectional championships. The postseason is in Melrose's wheelhouse. He knows what to say and when. 


These are some, not all of the reasons Melrose can survive and advance. 

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