More Photos from Melrose-Reading

The team's the thing. Coach Celli gives the Lady Raiders some pregame instructions.
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Dig it? Sam Hamel dives after a Reading spike to dig it.
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Basketball captains Sheylani Peddy and Lynley DeAmato show their appreciation for the V-Ballers' efforts.
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Text directly from the AVCA.ORG site:

Middle blockers have, in my opinion, the toughest assignment in the game of volleyball. They are responsible for protecting against all quick attacks in the middle zones of the net, yet are also expected to close and form tight blocks against all outside attacks.

Statistical analysis of the data confirmed that the slide step yielded significantly faster movement times than either the cross-over or the jab cross-over... Volleyball blocking jumping is somewhat unique in that the blocker is prohibited from using an extensive armswing because of the proximity to the net. Although several investigators have reported that a vigorous armswing may improve vertical jumping performance by about 10 percent, this finding is of little benefit to the volleyball blocker.

The only way to make sure that the net is sealed, therefore, is to penetrate the net early -- well before the attacker begins the forward armswing...blockers can get off the ground faster, without sacrificingjump height, by using a short, half-step approach prior to the upward phase of the jump. This may allow the blocker to penetrate the net earlier and improve the chances of blocking the ball.

From www.volleyballfiles.com

Spread your fingers, point your thumbs toward the ceiling, and watch the hitter's swing...a "soft block" -- which deflects the ball upwards into your own court and gives your team an easy ball to pass -- is almost as good as a stuff block. Acknowledge teammates for good soft blocks.

Here Leslie Hirschfeld gets well over the net, penetrates the opponent's airspace, and has good finger spread.
___________________________________________________________________Kelsey Quinn and Lauren Howe substitute.
___________________________________________________________________Sam Hamel is a model of concentration as a back row defender.
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Melrose celebrates successful team work. From left, Lauren Howe, Nicole Glavin, Taylor Pearson, Sam Hamel, Gina Ciccone, and Leslie Hirschfeld.
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Many thanks to Don Norris for photography.