Melrose Volleyball 2010 Preview

This is your team.

Always click the photo to see the entire picture. 
Melrose Volleyball 2010...
front row (left to right) Amanda Commito, Athena Ziavras, Cassidy Barbaro
back row (left to right), Jill Slabacheski, Alyssa DiRaffaele, Rachael Wolley, Brittany Adelman, Maggie Moriarty, Brooke Bell, Jen Cain, Sarah McGowan, Rachel Johnson, Sydney Doherty
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The roster brings youthful experience.

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Coaches Scott Celli and Steve Wall announce the 2010 Melrose volleyball roster, holding their first full squad practice this morning at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Gym. Although very young, the team returns some very experienced players, as volleyball has become a year-round sport for many of the players.

Although reloading a roster filled with all-state and all-league players doesn't come easily, Melrose promises to be an exciting and very athletic team, led by senior Athena Ziavras. Athena has the volleyball intelligence quotient (IQ), energy quotient (EQ), responsibility quotient (RQ) and talent that could make her Melrose's next All-Scholastic player.

Today's first session emphasized the importance of process, as talented teams with an effective and consistent process have a far better chance to succeed. The coaches emphasized their offensive and defensive rotations, the need to communicate, and the essence of "playing to the whistle."  They also had a variety of suggestions to help players develop more reliable positioning.  Coach Celli reminded the girls that "there's no 'I' in team" and his mathematical flair came out with "you've got to use the whole rectangle."

Observing almost a full practice also afforded the chance to see the team dynamic and their interaction with the coaches. The girls had both an educational experience and a lot of fun as they clearly enjoyed being together.

The players had a full session of both fundamental drills and team concepts. The offense intends to expand its attack, with a full array of attacks being installed.  They completed the morning practice with a 'service' drill, with the players getting 100 percent of their serves in play. 

Clearly, "tradition never graduates". 

As a reminder, the team will host a scrimmage next Friday against Chelmsford at 2 P.M.

Brittany Adelman and Amanda Commito will be returning from the disabled list later this season.

*All information contained within is the sole opinion of the author.  Apologies for any errors (especially spelling). This is not an official page of Melrose High School.