Halfway Mark Perspectives

All opinions expressed in the blog are solely mine. The blog is not an official publication of any Melrose organization or institution. 

Volleyball season, unlike baseball, is a sprint not a marathon. Here's a look from an MVB observer since 2002. 

1. "You are what your record says you are." - Bill Parcells

If the season ended today, Melrose wouldn't get a playoff home game. Sometimes that's the way the cookie crumbles. Last season in boys' soccer, Newton North, ranked 31, won six games in the postseason...and the State Championship. I'm not saying that's going to happen again but the goal is to be playing well at 'Tournament Time'. 

2. "Coaches don't make up lineups, players do." 

You force your way onto the court with your performance. It's easy to overlook that with the current 15 person roster, nine are freshmen and sophomores. Everyone gets opportunities and some are able to take advantage of them sooner than others. 

3. "Your actions speak so loudly that I cannot hear a word you say." 

MVB has always had admirable culture, the ecosystem surrounding the team. I heard a loud roar from the back room signalling the team welcoming Gen Overlan. Embracing team play, not always easy in sports, creates culture. MUDITA, a foreign term, means "your joy is my joy."

4. "Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want." 

Melrose opened the season with a tough five game stretch, including facing Winchester, the top-ranked team in the state. No excuses, MVB wasn't ready to win at that point. Love your losses and learn. 

5. "Form begets function."

A serve time violation reminds players to shorten their pre-shot routine. A "campfire" reminds players to show constant communication. A "rotation error" tells players to show attention to detail. 

Are you watching? Watch the long runway (behind the ten foot line), the three step approach, the high armswing back during the decisive attack, the high contact point, and the crosscourt attack. That must be a senior, right? It's freshman Adriana Santoriello. Better ingredients, better results with classic form. 

6. "Confidence comes from proven success." 

There's an old basketball saying, "The best thing about a freshman is that next season he's a sophomore." A corollary on experience is that "Experience is the best teacher but sometimes the tuition is high." MVB has only one lineup constant from 2024, Sabine Wenzel. And nobody will pretend that the state leader in kills doesn't matter. 

Sadie Smith has worked her way up to the top 15 in assists. 

Sabine remains on top. 

7. "Leaders make leaders." 

Coaches work to fashion teams who play to their philosophy - detailed, consistent, and aggressive. Someone asked legendary coach Amos Alonzo Stagg about his team and he said, "Ask me in twenty years and I can give you a better answer." MVB graduates become outstanding people, professionals, leaders in many fields, and often mothers. 

Coach Scott Celli remains the architect, as passionate about the sport as he was over 25 seasons ago. 

8. "You're getting better or worse. Staying the same is getting worse." 

The team has improved from four weeks ago at Belmont. The receiving, attacking, blocking and defense are better. I'd ask my teams what we need to work on and get the one-word answer, "Everything." 

With two consecutive practices coming up, the team can continue to work on serve receive, passing, and serving. 

What coaches want to see is a lot of players under consideration for Most Improved Player. And there are a lot of players in that category now.