Saturday, August 26, 2023

Strength Up the Middle

Sport and games value "strength up the middle." In baseball, that's pitching, catching, shortstop and centerfield. In chess, it's controlling the center of the board. And in volleyball it's controlling the net, setting, and libero-keyed defense. Melrose is in good shape with all.

Net control. Sadie Jaggers enters her fourth year up front with the opportunity for a sectional championship three-peat. In addition to 295 career kills, she is a three-year starter and elite front-row defender. Last season she posted 185 kills to her resume including the sectional title match point. 

Senior Manon Marchais adds attacking improvement with a baseline of high-level front row defense. 

Sophomore Sabine Wenzel has elite size, the tallest player ever at Melrose. She could become the best blocker in school history. 

Setting. Ruth Breen had one of the best setter seasons in the history of Melrose volleyball. That's not opinion, it's fact. 


Junior Leah Fowke can be just as good statistically and she brings added blocking 'force' and an electric serve. 

Libero. Just as Melrose needs a new setter, they need a new libero. Senior tri-captain Grace Gentile has the inside track although not without competition from Maggie Turner and Gigi Albuja. Grace has the most experience, including playing three sets in the state semifinal versus King Philip. 

Lagniappe. Refine your technique. 







No comments: