Asked Joe Mazzulla what he thinks the story of this Celtics team has been:
“The story's not done. We are only a product of what we do tomorrow, what we do the next day, and that's just the story. And if we would have lost this game by 1, tomorrow’s film session has to be as… pic.twitter.com/kM8dPvM0UW
Everyone is a work in progress. When you care, you're always "under construction."
"We are only a product of what we do tomorrow, what we do the next day, and that's just the story."
"All we've done is stick to the process of winning on both ends of the floor, put our head down, don’t overreact to a good win or to a bad loss. And, get better in the next game. So, still plenty of stuff we can get better from tonight."
"So the story is, it's just not done — and we just got to keep sticking to that process.”
One of the beauties of sport is that you enjoy and celebrate a win and then you go back to work so that you can have that feeling again. And because you know you don't want to feel the sting of a loss.
In 2002, including playoffs, MVB was 14-8. MVB 25 was 13-8. No difference...and then what?
From 2003 to 2005, MVB went 66-7, the First Dynasty. One season doesn't define you, it's your "body of work." You have the opportunity to be special. Write a great story.
All opinions expressed in the blog are solely my own. The blog is not an official publication of any City of Melrose institution.
"Whenever you hear a story, ask yourself, " Who is the sender, what are his intentions, and what did he hide under the rug?" - Rolf Dobelli in "The Art of Thinking Clearly"
Stories help explain the world. But they're crafted to fit certain narratives. Often they inform valuable lessons. Here are three within the context of MVB:
Rags to Riches (The Horatio Alger story_
AI digression:
The Core Idea
A poor but virtuous young person rises to middle-class respectability through hard work, honesty, perseverance, and a lucky break.
Typical Plot Beats
Humble beginnings — orphan, bootblack, newsboy.
Moral fiber — the hero refuses shortcuts or crime.
Industry — relentless effort and self-improvement.
Recognition — a benefactor notices character.
Opportunity + upward mobility — a job, mentorship, or investment changes the trajectory.
What It Really Promotes
Character as capital
Reputation as currency
Opportunity meeting preparation
Social mobility as attainable
The Cultural Impact
Alger’s stories (e.g., Ragged Dick) helped cement the American belief that:
Success is earned through grit and virtue.
The Quiet Caveat
Alger’s heroes rarely succeed by effort alone.
They need:
A sponsor
A network
A timely stroke of luck
MVB Version: Freshman team (JVb) to major contributor. The quintessential character is Kayla Wyland, who becomes impactful right side (opposite), rising from the Freshman team with skill, athleticism, and hard work. Part of the "Great Wall" (Rachel Johnson/Kayla Wyland) a blocking force.
Success is non-linear. Every player experiences setbacks and struggles. Their abilities to overcome them manifest in their "body of work."
Triumph of Inevitability
Cinematically and in literature, it is literally "The Hero's Journey." It's The Odyssey, Star Wars, The Matrix, Wonder Woman, and many more.
AI Digression:
The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell (1949) argues that myths across cultures share a common narrative structure he called the “monomyth” or Hero’s Journey: an ordinary person receives a call to adventure, initially resists, gains mentors and allies, crosses into a realm of trials, undergoes a symbolic death and rebirth, wins a transformative boon, and returns home changed—bringing wisdom or power back to the community. Drawing from global mythology, religion, and psychology (especially Jungian archetypes), Campbell contends that these recurring patterns reflect universal human developmental stages and inner struggles. The book has profoundly influenced modern storytelling, shaping works from Star Wars to countless novels and films, and remains a touchstone for writers, filmmakers, and thinkers exploring narrative, identity, and transformation.
MVB transitioned from the star-crossed (injury) teams with Hannah Brickley to Next Gen youth movement that led to the "Second Dynasty" of Bell, McGowan, Cain, and more. That group went to the State final in 2011 only to come up short and then capture the banner in 2012.
Diamond in the Rough
MVB spawns "origin stories," formative tales or stories of discovery.
This pic is one of my favorites, left to right, Stephanie Crovo, Liz Sheerin, and Dr. Victoria Crovo. Little girls watch MVB and become captivated by the action and athleticism of the "big girls."
AI Digression:
In Sports
A “diamond in the rough” player might:
Lack polish (footwork, decision speed)
Be underscouted or underexposed
Show flashes of instinct or competitive edge
Need reps, coaching, and structure
The coaching art is in:
Seeing brilliance before it’s obvious.
Origin stories are often like icebergs...the most substantive parts lie beneath the waterline. We don't always appreciate the sacrifices of players and families, the physical toll that sports can exert on players, and the reality that less celebrated players also often "live the grind" without the recognition.
Hard work is the price of admission yet no guarantee that you'll love the show. Write a great story for yourself.
*Adapted and lightly edited from my basketball blog
Rules aren't always rules, as much as (via Pirates of the Caribbean) guidelines.
General Colin Powell, formerly Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, National Security Advisor, and Secretary of State started his 2012 book, It Worked for Me with his thirteen rules. He shares many relevant stories from his long career.
Here are his rules and possible uses.
1. It ain't as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning.*
"Well, maybe it will, maybe it won't."
Players, families, and fans aren't always happy with minutes, roles, results, and recognition. Part of coaching is becoming uncomfortable with being uncomfortable.
2. Get mad, then get over it.
Carrying around disappointment and grudges serves no master. As Samuel L. Jackson tells himself, "Not every role is for you." And as Coach Cob reminds us, "You are a coach, but not the coach." Decisions made under the shadow of anger appear without the benefit of the most light.
3. Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.
Legendary trader Jesse Livermore's life informs this. He made and lost fortunes multiple times. In the end, he committed suicide. Don't make a permanent decision based on a temporary problem.
4. "It can be done."
Army officers must maintain a positive attitude to succeed in tough missions. Both coaches and players cannot succeed without self-belief.
5. Be careful what you choose: you may get it.
This parallels "be careful what you wish for." A 'dream job' can turn into a nightmare. Or the job may not turn out to be what you thought it was. It argues that "due diligence" must be more than a slogan.
6. Don't let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision.
This has significant nuance. Remember what Michigan Coach Bo Schembechler said about some recruits, "If you don't get him, he can beat you once a year; if you do, he can beat you every day." Do you want that low character, high talent player in your program?
7. You can't make someone else's choices. You shouldn't let someone else make yours.
There's a saying that people unable to manage their own lives can easily manage others. Trusted advisors are 'that' - advisors. If you're the guy in charge, you (not the advisors) own the decision. That can involve anything - talent recruitment and retention, strategy and style of play, assistants...
8. Check small things.
Every good coach focuses on attention to detail, having everyone on the same page, and "taking care of what's in their boat." And every coach has a horror story about a detail disaster (e.g. the Webber timeout).
9. Share credit.
People need appreciation. Some of the worst people to be around are "credit hogs." Professor Adam Grant's book, "Give and Take" shares stories about givers, takers, and matchers. One football coach who will remain nameless, was famous for taking credit for wins and assigning blame for losses to players.
10.Remain calm. Be kind.
Leadership demands the ability to stay calm when those around us are not. Everyone has slipped up and been unkind, especially under pressure. Do all we can to preach and practice virtue.
11.Have a vision. Be demanding.
"Be demanding without being demeaning." And remember that if we don't know where we're going, we might end up there. Chart the course before the journey, including a coherent philosophy. My coaching philosophy has always been TIA - teamwork, improvement, accountability.
12.Don't take counsel of your fears or naysayers.
"Don't take criticism from people from whom you would not take advice." Being steadfast and committed to making good judgments challenges everyone. Others' advice may be intended for their well-being, not yours.
13.Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.
Optimism is a strength. One set of values was called a "COTE of armor" - confidence, optimism, tenacity, and enthusiasm. Another adage is "you cannot fashion a positive life with a negative attitude."
These 'rules' resonate with me for several reasons:
They apply across many domains.
They reflect wisdom of both facts and self-regulation.
Each is expansive and deserves careful thought (maybe their own discussion)
Lagniappe. Care about the value brought to our communities. Coaches touch the lives of many.
A great high school coach isn’t measured by wins alone. It’s measured by: - The players who come back to visit years later. - The lessons that stick long after the final buzzer. - The *men and women* your players become off the court.
"There are somebody jobs, & there are everybody jobs. Everybody has to play with effort and energy. Young players get hung up on whether they are scoring points or not. The way you get on the court is with effort & energy."
Everybody won't get the "somebody job." But even the "somebody" guys who attack, block, and set have to do the everybody jobs.
Play unselfishly.
Play with energy.
Make good decisions.
Support your teammates.
If you do the "everybody jobs" and work hard, you will get opportunities at the "somebody jobs."
What matters most for your individual training is to discover who you are at any given point - and whom you want to become to fuel your dreams. Then, to work to reveal the truth and to narrow the gap between 'A' and 'B'.
All opinions expressed in the blog are solely my own. The blog is not an official publication of any City of Melrose organization.
What Is Social Proof?
"Social Proof" has another name, "herd instinct." It's behavior that leads parents to ask, "If your friends jumped off a bridge, would you?"
It's not irrational. In another era, if the "community" started running when one member perceived danger, running might save you from that hungry lion.
Social proof is one of the core principles in Robert Cialdini's classic book, "Influence." Social proof drives trends in advertising, in fashion, music, and more. If our friends say "ABC" is a great song, book, or movie, then we're more likely to check it out.
Why It's Useful
The value of social proof depends on its use. It drives charity (think international disasters) and bullying (the unacceptable becomes normalized). Learn to recognize it's use as inspiration or manipulation.
Social Proof in Volleyball and Team Sports
Team leaders leverage social proof for good. They promote unselfishness, togetherness, toughness, and sportsmanship.
Social proof drives action. Working out with a partner or as a group creates value. "Group behavior" might drive participation in Summer League or volunteering at a Food Kitchen.
Social proof permeates the gym. When top players lead in effort and communication, others follow. “Your hustle standard is not what you say. It’s what your best player does.”
When the best players "lift," others are more likely to come with. When the leaders "do five more," the crowd is more apt to see that "champions do extra."
When "hitting the floor" for diving digs becomes the standard, the program floor and ceiling both elevate.
When the bench is engaged, that reinforces teamwork and unselfishness. When parents root for all the team, not just their children, that builds culture.
Summary:
Social proof answers the question every athlete asks:
“What do people like us do here?”
If the answer is:
We work.
We communicate.
We dive.
We serve tough.
We celebrate teammates.
That is who you are...and our community knows it when they see it.
Lagniappe. Know the responsibilities/zones that Coach Celli wants.
Lagniappe 2. More on confirmation bias. Imagine that your math teacher provides a series of numbers such as 2, 4, 6... and asks you the "rule" for the sequence. Seek disconfirming evidence. If you say "-3" your teacher will say, "That is not it." But what if you say, "9" and the teacher says, "That works in the sequence." The number 9 disconfirms "generate by adding two" and works for "the next number is higher than the previous." The moral? "Seek disconfirming evidence.
Develop tools of your trade and become an architect of excellence.
See the Game
"Dig, set, spike" morphed into "Pass, set, hit." What is your responsibility in that context? Are you a DS whose main job is passing - to initiate the sequence or "set" an out-of-system attack? Or are you a hitter who must read the set, read the defense, and execute one of many types of attack?
Control Your Emotions
Excellent players channel excitement and enthusiasm into controlled action. Learn to bring the "right" amount of activation to play. Every elite Melrose athlete learned emotional activation and regulation.
ChatGPT Plus generates both text and graphics to illustrate the relationships among different "arousal" levels and performance.
🏐 Arousal & Performance in Volleyball (Inverted-U Applied)
LEFT SIDE: 🔵 Low Arousal (Flat / Passive)
What it looks like in volleyball
Late to close block
Slow transition off the net
Casual serve receive platform
No talk, no eye contact
“Hope the ball comes to someone else”
Language athletes use
“I feel tired.”
“We just don’t have energy.”
Coaching lever
Increase intensity: short competitive drill
Force first-contact accountability
Use quick scoring games to create urgency
Comment: "Low energy" athletes seldom get over the performance hurdle to make teams and get on the court. They simply lack "activation energy" to build and translate skills.
PEAK: 🟢 Optimal Arousal (Calm Intensity)
What it looks like
Quick read on hitter’s shoulder
Balanced block footwork
Aggressive but controlled serving
Clear, early communication
After an error: quick reset, next ball
Language athletes use
“I’m locked in.”
“The game feels slow.”
This is your “calm fire.” High energy. Low noise.
Comment: Even within the "optimal activation" zone, there are levels. Someone like Dr. Victoria Crovo was "fire" and another player like Elena Soukos was "ice."
RIGHT SIDE: 🔴 Over-Arousal (Tight / Rushed)
What it looks like
Service errors long
Net violations from tension
Over-penetrating block
Wild swings out of system
Emotional swings after mistakes
Language athletes use
“Don’t miss.”
“I can’t mess this up.”
Muscles tighten. Vision narrows. Timing suffers.
Comment: For athletes who trend toward "overactivation" tools like mindfulness (stop and take a breath) and softer music choices before games can help.
🏐 Task-Specific Nuance (Important for You as a Coach)
Different volleyball skills have different optimal arousal zones:
Skill
Optimal Arousal
Serving
Moderate–Low
Serve Receive
Moderate
Setting
Moderate–Low
Blocking
Moderate–High
Transition Attack
Moderate–High
A libero’s peak zone may look different than a middle blocker’s.
Athleticism
Athleticism links skill, strategy, and emotion. Every exceptional MVB player is an excellent athlete. Motivation and competitive character are necessary but insufficient.
Bo Jackson was an All-Star in both pro football and baseball. In high school, someone suggested he should try decathlon. He "walked on" to the state decathlon competition in Alabama, not knowing what all the events were...and set the state record.
It's a disservice to name individual exceptional quick twitch/power MVB athletes because there were so many. Some players rely on guile as well.
Summary: Find your MVB tools that will get you and keep you on the court. Technique, tactics, physicality, and emotional regulation are the keys that unlock elite performance.
Coaching Translation for Melrose-Style Culture
ACE: Attitude, Choices, Effort.
The inverted-U fits perfectly:
Attitude regulates arousal.
Choices (breathing, self-talk, routines) stabilize it.
Effort pushes you out of the low zone.
The best teams don’t just “play hard.” They learn to self-regulate.
Lagniappe. Get a running start... advice from Kelvin Sampson.
Kids don’t want things to be easier. They want structure, clear routines, clear expectations, and consistent follow-through. But, structure without relationship is just control. High standards only work when we pair them with high support. Demand more. Teach more. Care more. pic.twitter.com/3nRSwUTGt1
The idea isn't to become a "gym hero." Develop functional strength, quickness, vertical jump, and conditioning that pays off late in games.
Elite fitness that you've seen in players like Elena Soukos, Gia Vlajkovic, Sadie Jaggers, and others comes from work.
When you return for tryouts in late August, leave an impression. Always warmup before getting into strength and conditioning.
Lagniappe. Become a habit master.
Little things done consistently make a big difference: this is true with good and bad habits, behaviors, and decisions! Do anything enough times and it will move you in one direction or the other!
Coaches want players to succeed and practice is where that starts. Success begins long before the first serve of the season in September.
Clarity
"Compete." When you "cross the red line" onto the court, "be the best version of yourself."
Specificity
What helps you to "always be your best?" Be focused. The last point, won or lost doesn't matter. Win this point. "Don't cheat the drill."
Coachability
Whatever the task or skill, do it however your current coach, club or MVB wants it done. That's a vital part of building trust and trust gets you and keeps you on the court.
Excel in Your Role
Maybe you're not a "fully-formed" player with skills across the range of serve, pass, attack, block, set, dig. You might have the skill set needed to contribute at right side, e.g. block, hit. If Coach Celli needs you to be the "jack in the box" because you can, be that guy.
Lagniappe. Part of leadership and "influence" as a teammate is likability.
All opinions expressed in the blog are solely my own. The blog is not an official publication of any City of Melrose institution.
Ben McCollum: "I think some coaches, they come in here and they (say), 'Ah, it's unacceptable.' And it is. We need to play hard. We need to play better than that. But you don't sit here and say, 'I'm embarrassed.' Because I'm not. I'm not embarrassed. They kicked our butt for us.… pic.twitter.com/VQi9KqaY9R
In twenty-four years, I have not heard or read Coach Scott Celli say, "We don't have good players; we don't have enough talent."
Excuses don't win games, league titles, or championships. Nothing has less value than excuses. John Wooden simplified, "Dont whine. Don't complain. Don't make excuses."
"Control what you can control..." vintage Stoicism.
"Make every day your masterpiece." - John Wooden
"Be a great teammate." Teamwork is a choice.
"Always do your best." Your best leaves no room for regret. Sometimes our best won't be as good as the other guy's.
"Don't back down." Whether you're playing the top seed or a low seed, bring the same fight. When Melrose had a powerhouse basketball team, an opposing coach told me, "They're hard to play. You're always going to get five girls who are good players running up and down the court. That's hard to match."
Regardless of the situation, be a worthy opponent, the kind that will fight and claw and scratch your eyes out.
Volleyball is a thinking-person's sport and it's a 'reacting-person's' sport.
Many sports break down as offense, defense, and conversion (the moments between offense and defense). And scoring divides into point production and point prevention.
Serve-receive is a vital part of point prevention and conversion as it begins the ideal "pass-set-hit" sequence.
The video (watch at 1.5 speed for efficiency) shows defenders reading and reacting to serves with an emphasis on eye work. Batters watches a pitcher's release point seeking clues on velocity, direction, and spin. So should volleyball defenders.
If defenders can access "end zone" video (contact your coaches), you can study opponents and apply your knowledge to "early warning" of serve type. Gary Klein discusses this in great depth in the book Sources of Power. Military radar operators have to judge rapidly profiles of velocity, direction, and acceleration to identify aircraft from missiles.
AI take:
PROMPT: In "Sources of Power" Gary Klein discusses recognition-primed decisions, especially for radar operators detecting airplane versus missile. Can you break similarities for volleyball serve receive?
Yes. And it’s not a stretch at all.
Klein’s recognition-primed decision making (RPD) is about making good decisions fast when there isn’t time to compare options. Experts don’t “analyze” in the moment. They recognize a pattern, pick the first workable action, then mentally simulate it for a split second: Will this work here? If yes, they go.
That’s radar operators. It’s also great serve receive.
The core similarity
Radar operator: “Is that blip an aircraft or a missile?”
They don’t run a spreadsheet. They scan for cues (speed, trajectory, signature, context), match to a prototype, then act.
Serve receive passer: “Is this serve seam? Short? Flat and fast? Late float? Jump-topspin to 1?”
Same deal. You’re solving a high-speed classification problem with noisy data.
1) Cue pickup under time pressure
RPD depends on noticing the right cues, early.
In serve receive, the best passers don’t wait for the ball to “tell the truth” at the last second. They read pre-contact cues:
Server’s starting spot and preferred lane
Toss (height, in front/behind, left/right drift)
Approach angle (straight vs. across)
Shoulder line / hips at contact
Contact sound + contact point (clean/topspin vs. float)
Immediate ball behavior: early wobble, flattening, topspin dive
That’s the volleyball version of “signature” and “track.”
2) Prototypes, not options
Klein’s experts have a library of patterns: “This looks like that.”
Serve receive prototypes might be:
“This is her flat float to seam when she’s under stress.”
“This is his jump-topspin to deep 5 when we’re in rotation X.”
“This is the short serve bait to pull our OH in.”
A novice sees “a serve.”
An expert sees a known kind of serve with an expected next behavior.
3) Expectancies and anomaly detection
Radar operators don’t just look for what is there; they look for what should be there. When reality violates expectations, alarms go off.
Great passers do this constantly:
“Her toss usually doesn’t drift—why did it drift?”
“That approach is more across than normal—seam is coming.”
“Ball is floating but not wobbling—it’ll stay truer and travel faster.”
The best passers are great at ‘something’s off’ detection.
4) The first workable action, then a quick mental simulation
RPD is not “pick the perfect option.” It’s “pick the first good one and test it fast.”
Serve receive version:
Recognize: “Deep float to my right hip.”
Action script: “Beat it with feet, angle platform to target, hold line.”
Mental sim (split second): “If I lean early I’ll shank—stay centered, move late, absorb.”
No deliberation. Just a script plus a check.
5) Scripts are team-based, not just individual
Radar decisions often happen in a system with shared language and procedures. Same in serve receive.
Serve receive RPD improves when the team shares:
Seam rules (“mine/yours”)
Short-ball rules
Overlap priority (libero vs. OH)
Emergency rules (“if it drops inside 10-foot line, take it with hands if possible”)
Without shared scripts, recognition doesn’t translate to clean action. It translates to hesitation.
Where volleyball differs (important)
Radar operators often have more time and can re-check. Serve receive is one-and-done: you’re judged by your first solution.
Also, servers can intentionally “spoof” you (change toss rhythm, go short after deep, etc.). So your recognition library must include deception patterns and “anti-patterns.”
How to train RPD for serve receive
If you want your athletes to “see it faster,” train like Klein would:
1) Build prototypes (pattern library)
Scout tendencies: zones, pressure choices, favorite serves by rotation
Give passers names for patterns (“late float,” “fast flat,” “drop-short,” “seam sniper”)
2) Train cue pickup (pre-contact)
Video occlusion: pause at toss / at contact; passer calls zone/type
On-court “call it early”: passer must call type + zone before the ball crosses the net
