Something to Believe In

"A golfer has to choose someone to believe in. It had better be himself." - Dr. Bob Rotella in "Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect"

You can only be as good as your belief in yourself. This restates Rotella's commentary.

Belief in yourself and in your teammates creates a force multiplier. The whole exceeds the sum of the parts. 

How can you elevate your performance and that of teammates?

• Work out with a teammate. Drag her into the top of the roster. 
• Encourage teammates. "You got this." 
• Communicate. Communication energizes teammates. 
• Improve your passing. "Pass, set, hit" is a key part of offense.
• Be better "out of system" earning assists. 

Lagniappe. "Every day is player development day." Regardless of your position or role, find a way to improve today. 

Dick Vermeil shares the greatest lesson he learned on leadership from John Wooden.

"Don't worry about those players you don't have. Just make sure you do a great job of making those who you have the best they could possibly be.'"

Lagniappe 2. Bob Woodward of The Washington Post has been the premier investigative journalist in the US for decades. Follow some of his guidelines:

1. FAA - Focus and Act Aggressively.                                                      2. "Seek the best available version of the truth."                                      3. Dig deeper to get the story on the ground.                                          4. Have the receipts. Woodward writes off taped interviews or paper trails - documents.                                                                                        5. Every article should share at least six key points. 

Simple advice, but not always easy.

Be where… https://t.co/aY2qTxBTBU pic.twitter.com/Ejz2bAU0ta

— Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness (@coachajkings) December 21, 2025

 

TLDR (Too Long, Didn't Read)

Pat Kelsey of Louisville Cardinals lays down the standards…

“The standards are the standards” he announces, openly stealing from Mike Tomlin of the Stealers.

Coach Kelsey wants the standards to be set by the first rep of the day. Momentum of standards start with a single… pic.twitter.com/cLR387Ake1

— Daniel Abrahams (@DanAbrahams77) January 2, 2026

"The standard is the standard."  

Define your standard. Raise the bar at home, in school, and in extracurricular activities. Define your destiny. 

Lagniappe. Former MVB standout (All-State, All-Scholastic) Victoria Crovo finishes veterinary school any day now. The next time you see her, The "V-Rex" becomes Dr. Crovo. 

Discipline Is a Choice

Charlie Munger literally revealed the secret to winning the game of life: pic.twitter.com/1DMqmCXGx5

— Jaynit (@jaynitx) January 2, 2026

Your family teaches you to be safe. 

"Don't eat that." 

"Look both ways before you cross the street."

"Don't run with scissors."

"Don't play in the traffic." 

"Don't play on the stairs." 

"Don't jump in the deep end of the pool if you can't swim." 

Humans are fragile. We're not fast, don't have thick fur, or protective hides. Compensate with smarts. Ask, "what if?" Do that over a long period of time and you have a chance at success.

You can't attack every ball. 

You can't rip every serve. 

Sometimes the best you can do is keep the ball alive. Former chess world champion Garry Kasparov says that chess is about knowing what to do when there's something to do, and knowing what not to do when there's nothing to do. Volleyball is similar.  

"Little Poison"

"To play the best golf you can play, you have to make a healthy, balanced commitment to the game and to improvement." - Dr. Bob Rotella in "Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect"

Excellence crosses domains. Become a fan of “origin stories.” Learn about unconventional success. They illustrate that, “I could do that.”

Paul Runyan was an undersized golf professional who realized that he didn't have the length of others' shots. So he refined his short game to the point that he won tournaments with exceptional wedge play, chipping, and putting. He earned the nickname "Little Poison."

That inspires thoughts about MVB players who weren't big in stature but had exceptional careers. 

1. Hannah Brickley - "the Queen of Melrose Volleyball" and one of the greatest athletes, female or male, in Melrose history. Three time All-State, All-Scholastic in volleyball and basketball, and an elite student. She is in both the Melrose and the Trinity College Athletic Hall of Fame. Maybe she was 5'9". Hannah mastered angles. 

2. Brooke Bell - the most heralded setter in MVB history, State Champion, All-State twice, Boston Herald team of the Decade member. Like Hannah, a definite face on the Mount Rushmore of Melrose volleyball. Not tall but played big. 

3. Jill MacInness - the top Melrose back row player ever as libero. Also earned a State Title, All-State, and had the greatest MVB libero game at Westborough. J-Mac was a gritty competitor who led the team in bruises from making diving plays.  

You don't need elite size to leave the biggest mark on the program. Be "Little Poison." 

Lagniappe. "You have the power to make choices. You have the power to think in ways that will help your game. You have the power to make a commitment and keep it." - "Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect" - Dr. Bob Rotella

Creating Sustained Success

"The wind blows hardest at the top of the mountain."

Success is hard. Sustained success is even harder. 

“Goals are for people who care about winning once.

Systems are for people who care about winning repeatedly.”

— James Clear

— Reads with Ravi (@readswithravi) January 1, 2026

Systems are your collection of habits and standards. It's not enough to put in the time. Put in the work.

Success happens in volleyball by scoring more points and minimizing errors...both physical (inconsistency) and mental (decision-making).

The best teams excel at managing details - reading setters and attackers, getting to blocks quickly instead of "ball watching," and by communicating so that no points are "given away."

About a third of sets are decided by three points or fewer. So the margin of error is small, making every point meaningful.

Lagniappe. Exceptional coaches are demanding without demeaning. Successful players are coachable and accountable. 

The difference between a good high school coach and a great one?
It’s not the playbook.
It’s:
- Holding kids accountable when no one else does.
- Helping them believe in their potential before they see it.
- Teaching them lessons that outlast the game.

— Steve Collins (@TeachHoopsBBall) January 1, 2026

Playing Well

"I can only say that you'll shoot a lower score on average, if you keep your mind in the present and take it one shot at a time." - Dr. Bob Rotella in "Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect"

Playing well happens more often with simplicity. "Normal" means thinking about results instead of process. Seek "escape velocity" to depart the world of normal. 

Better process means better thinking. Work on that daily. 

•  'Play present' with maximum focus your habit. 
• Practice with specific goals. "I'm working on attack footwork" or "I'm working on topspin serves today."
• Ask "how can I make my teammates better today?"
• Model excellence by being the hardest worker in the building.
• Lead, regardless of your playing role. Leadership doesn't need a title.

Great process can't guarantee perfect results. It only guarantees giving you a better chance at them. 

Lagniappe. Mindset. Vision. Process. 

Here's Nick Saban on the importance of mindset and the 3 things that matter for success.

He talks about his famous Process—but without the 3rd step—Process doesn't matter.

Whether you're a football coach, a business owner or a parent this is what leads to success. pic.twitter.com/0eMg1NlUKn

— Thad Wells (@ThadWells) December 22, 2025

"Always Protect the Team"

Pete Carroll shares the 3 team rules he uses to build culture.

Not 10 values. Not a 100-page manual. 3 rules.

Simple, repeatable, and powerful.

1: Always protect the team - "This isn't just about behavior. It's about conscience."

Protecting the team means being mindful of… https://t.co/4X8fA8jnmw pic.twitter.com/xpZ3mbJNva

— Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness (@coachajkings) December 31, 2025

Whether you like it or not, as a student-athlete you represent your community, school, team, family, and especially yourself.  

1. Be professional. Don't disrespect opponents or communities on social media, electronic media, or print media. 

2. Represent the team academically. If you can learn the nuances of sport, then you can do well in school. 

3. Do nothing to hurt your character in the community...violating team rules, violating the Chemical Health Policy, or violating the law (e.g. reckless driving).

  

 

Checking Boxes as a Winner*

*Adapted from my basketball blog.  

Checklists help in many domains - construction, air travel, healthcare, finance, restaurants, and more. 

What do you have on your checklist for "Lead without a Title?" I wrote a blog post with bullet points and asked Chat GPT Plus to convert it to a checklist. 

Use this daily. Leadership is not occasional. It’s habitual.

Team & Teammates

☐ I encouraged at least one teammate today
☐ I communicated clearly and positively
☐ I brought energy to practice or matches
☐ I celebrated teammates’ success
☐ I helped a teammate without being asked

Effort & Competitiveness

☐ I gave my best effort on every drill
☐ I sprinted in transitions (on and off the court)
☐ I competed without complaining
☐ I stayed engaged, even when I wasn’t in the spotlight

Coachability & Growth

☐ I listened fully when coached
☐ I responded to feedback with action, not excuses
☐ I asked at least one thoughtful question
☐ I focused on improvement, not comparison

Culture & Standards

☐ I was on time and prepared
☐ I was never a distraction
☐ I modeled positive body language
☐ I upheld team values when no one was watching

Service & Ownership

☐ I did a “dirty job” (balls, cleanup, help)
☐ I asked, “How can I help?”
☐ I put the team’s needs ahead of my own
☐ I left the gym better than I found it

Off the Court

☐ I represented the program with class
☐ I handled academics responsibly
☐ I took care of my body (sleep, nutrition, recovery)

What Will Become Your Favorite Quotes?

"Free will is a golfer's greatest source of strength and power. Choosing how to think is a crucial decision." - Dr. Bob Rotella in "Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect" 

What lessons have sports taught you over your young careers? Think about them. In your 'formative years' you craft habits, beliefs, attitudes, and values that define your future. 

• Adopt a philosophy that works for you. Make it uniquely yours.
• "Look for the helpers." - Mr. Rogers   Find mentors and learn to network to advance yourself and your teams. The "self-made" person is a myth. Every successful person got help. 
• Find ways to lead. Keep a "leadership scorecard." It might be a small action, cleaning your room or shoveling the walk. 
• Be a great teammate. How can you be a better teammate today? Work out with a friend. Tell a teammate what you like about their play. "Make teammates feel valued." Being a great teammate is a choice.
• "Leave the jersey in a better place." - James Kerr in Legacy
• "Always do your best." - The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Lagniappe. Seek excellence. How you do anything is how you do everything. 

Become the Positive Dog

You don’t become a positive person by accident…

It takes intentional repetition, thought by thought, day by day.

Science says it takes about 21 days to form a habit. But I’ve found something deeper: give it 30 days, and you won’t just change your habits…

you’ll change how… pic.twitter.com/nNIiugKgww

— Jon Gordon (@JonGordon11) December 29, 2025

You become the product of your environment. If you hear "you're not good enough" or "you haven't earned success," then extra obstacles stand in your way.

"You make your habits and your habits make you." James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, says that habits are votes for the type of person you want to become. 

Want to be in great physical condition? Exercise. 

Want to be an exceptional student? Have a better study process.

Want to write better? Write intentionally every day.

Jon Gordon wrote "The Positive Dog" about the power of positivity. Work on becoming a more positive version of yourself. 

Maintaining Equilibrium

Adversity is everyone's companion. The unexpected arises without warning. Successful student-athletes prepare.

First, avoid self-induced adversity. Don't blow yourself up. How? 

• Take care of your 'academic' business. Thrive don't survive. 
• Set the standard at practice; punctuality and effort drive performance. 
• Follow all team rules - including chemical health. 
• Take care of yourself - hydration, sleep, nutrition, recovery. The first sign of dehydration isn't thirst, it's fatigue. 

Prepare psychologically for adversity. 

• Injury can happen. Maintain strength and conditioning.
• Respiratory illnesses are always around. Immunizations are between your family and your doctor. 
• Players have slumps. Believe in yourself. 
• Mindfulness helps focus, anxiety, depression, and reduces circulating stress hormones. 
• Volleyball is a game of momentum. Focus helps prevent negative runs. Commit to a "next play" mentality. 

Every competitor experiences butterflies, because they care. Adrenaline drives feeling nervous, making you quicker and stronger. 

Every player has hiccups during a match. In "Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect," Dr. Bob Rotella shares that top pros expect six to seven "bad shots" a round. They're ready to move on. One of the lessons learned from Stoicism is that you can't control what happens to you but can control your response. Do not allow the last play to interfere with your execution this play. 

Three mistakes players can make are:

1) Deviating from the present, contemplating victory.

2) Thinking about body mechanics and tempo instead of playing.

3) Becoming hyperaggressive.

"Run your race."

Be a goldfish. 

Hunting Success

"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog."

Success never comes easily or without a price.

Regardless of whether you're the tallest or the most athletic, you can find a place if you pay the price to hunt success.

Ask yourself what that would look like for you. Carve out a role through skill and will. As Coach Bob Knight said, "It's not the will to win, it's the will to do whatever it takes to prepare to win." 

 

Your Process Makes You

Winning isn’t luck.
It isn’t talent.
And it definitely isn’t magic.

Winning is a process.

Believe.
Commit.
Prepare.
Execute.
Compete.

Do all five—and you separate yourself from everyone who won’t. pic.twitter.com/nl6yZx9JPo

— Alan Stein, Jr. (@AlanSteinJr) December 29, 2025

Our lives are stories. Sara Blakely, founder of SPANX, explained that at dinner each Saturday, her father asked, "What have you failed at this week?" Success demands that we leave our comfort zone. 

That means doing studying five more minutes, doing five more reps, understanding that "champions do extra." 

You haven't seen your coaches watching college volleyball, studying film, or scouting opponents before playoff games. The unrequired work separates excellent from good. 

Your coaches want you to experience what your MVB 'predecessors' have known. 

End 2025 with Promises to Grow in 2026

All opinions expressed in this blog are solely mine. This blog is not an official publication of any City of Melrose institution.  

Underrated leadership hack: Repeat yourself. Almost no one hears you the first time. Your team is focused, driving, and probably overwhelmed. Say it once and they miss it. Say it ten times and they'll hear it for the first time. Repetition isn't boring. It's strategic clarity.

— Dave Kline (@dklineii) December 5, 2025

"Repetitions make reputations." Coaches don't repeat themselves because we like to hear ourselves talk. "If it has not been learned, then it hasn't been taught."

Here are phrases or quotes that can help you:

1. "Sacrifice." Put the team first. Be an early adopter of "How can I help?"

2. "Anything that a coach tells you shares the lesson for everyone else on the team." Everyone makes mistakes. Good players and good teams stop repeating them. 

3. "Do the dirty work." That's literal as "get on the floor" and figurative as in "leave the gym better than you found it." 

4. "Everyone benefits from coaching." - Rams Coach Sean McVay

5. "Promise yourself to make one better choice today." 

6. "Do five more." - Dan Pink  (Study five more minutes, do five more repetitions, read five more pages). 

7. Praise a teammate who did something well. "Catch people in the act of doing something right." 

8. "Eat that frog." Do first the hard thing that you don't want to do. 

9. Make gratitude a skill. Thank your parents, a teacher, or a coach. Everyone wants to be valued and appreciated. 

10."I can't think for everyone." - Bill Parcells  Think critically. When your parent says, "If all your friends say they're going to do something stupid, will you?" 

Lagniappe. Better communication separates excellent from good. Analogy help us to connect concepts across domains. Challenge yourself to think better and to improve your writing. 

Lagniappe 2. Become more versatile as a player and as a thinker. There's a southern expression, "Bless your heart" which varies from extreme praise to withering criticism. 

What Is Your Superpower?

"Success is a choice." What qualities belong to those you admire? Can you apply them?

A teacher had an unruly, undisciplined and disrespectful class. She had an idea to improve their self-esteem. 

She gave each student (teammate) a paper with the name of all the class and asked each to write two things that they admired about a classmate. 

She then cut and pasted the comments onto a sheet for each student, so they had a big sheet of positives about themselves. 

She witnessed a remarkable transformation as the students' self-esteem and self-control rose. 

Many years later she passed away and many of the students came to her funeral. Many brought a wrinkled, faded paper from that class with the positive observations of classmates. 

We choose to lift people up or do something else - "success or less." 

Become a storyteller. Develop a portfolio of stories to lead others up, especially when an individual or group needs it most. 

Everyone wants to be valued, appreciated for who they are and what they bring to the team. 

MVB has many stories wroth telling:

In 2005, Melrose played Burlington, a team which had three boys at least 6'3" who by rule, could only play the back row. Coach Scott Celli said that they could play all positions. MVB won anyway in straight sets, one win on their march to their first State Finals. 

In 2010, a young team had a panoply of sophomores who led them to a Sectional Title, then a Finals in 2011, and a State Title in 2012. 

In 2023, Sadie Jaggers led MVB to a playoff win despite playing out of a "sickbed" with a respiratory illness. Her performance was the MVB version of the "Jordan Game" where he led the Bulls to a Championship despite illness. 

Tell your stories. Make them great. 

Lagniappe. Your standard is your standard.