Spartans Invade Thursday

The Stoneham Spartans (3-4) invade tomorrow with a two-game win streak. Melrose (3-3) looks to eclipse the .500 mark. 

Sparta fought Athens in the fifth century B.C. in the Peloponnesian War. The Sparta land-based power defeated Athens, a naval power of its era. 

Spartan mothers famously told their sons, "come home with your shield...or on it."

ChatGPT clarifies:

Meaning

• "With your shield" → return victorious, having fought bravely and not thrown away your heavy hoplite shield while fleeing.

• "On your shield" → return dead, carried home in honor after battle.

• Never return without your shield — that would mean you abandoned it to run away, the ultimate disgrace in Spartan culture.

Melrose had the opportunity for several consecutive practices, looking to build on its recent win. Playing consistent, aggressive volleyball is key.