Always click the photographs to get the FULL picture.
History doesn't repeat itself, but it rhymes. 2003 brought Melrose to volleyball prominence in Massachusetts with a 22-2 season culminating in a 3-0 Division 2 North Championship over an undefeated Arlington Catholic team that had not lost a game that season. The team graduated its senior core, All-Scholastic Marianne Foley, terrific middle hitter Erin Hudd, a great setter in Amanda Labella, and another athletic hitter Denise Applegate.
Expectations came in uncertain for 2004, with a young team led by back row defenders Kerry Dillon and Betty Krechmer. But the young team stepped up, and over the next two seasons won a pair of championships, went 64-5 and advanced to a state final.
I see 2010 as being very similar to 2004. This year's club is very young, with 7 of the 13 players being sophomores or freshmen, but very talented from top to bottom.
Don Norris has generously provided some photographs. I publish them as I get them.
The lone senior on the team, Athena Ziavras had over 100 kills last season and should help replace the over 450 kills that Hannah Brickley and Laura Irwin delivered in 2009. Athena has a versatile repertoire of offensive skills that fans will quickly appreciate.
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Jill Slabacheski has worked hard on her hitting to become a dominant offensive player. She has the skills needed to be one of the top players in the Middlesex League.
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Alyssa DiRaffaele is another returning player who made an enormous contribution in 2009. Alyssa's strong performance in the Division 2 North Championship contest allowed Melrose to garner its fourth sectional title in seven years. Toughness at the net is her calling card, but she has very solid back row defense as well.
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Sophomore Brooke Bell steps in at setter this season, replacing All-State performer Colleen Hanscom. Brooke has literally worked toward this for more than the past three years. I wouldn't be surprised to see her eventually eclipse Colleen's assist record. Every team needs a lefty, and that's Brooke.
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Sophomore Rachel Johnson emerges with great potential as a "natural blocker". Melrose has always relied on the middle blocker to help control the opposition's big gun, and Rachel has the best blocking skills for her level of experience that I have seen in the Melrose program.
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Sophomore Sarah McGowan is a powerful, athletic player with the skill set to play any of the front positions (middle, outside, opposite) and is a capable back row player. In a sense, she's the "Swiss Army Knife" of this year's team, reminiscent of Gina Ciccone. She will likely see time at all of the above positions.
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Jen Cain is another athlete with versatile skills and good overall consistency. She will compete for time at the opposite position in particular, and be in the mix for time in the back row.
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Sophomore Amanda Commito starts the season on the injury list, recovering from a basketball injury. Amanda is another talented, fiery defender who could be a libero when recovered.
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Rachael Wolley has the key role as the reserve setter. The setter touches the ball on virtually every play, and Rachael has good skills and consistency. Fans may not know, but with teams scrimmaging practically daily, the importance of the second setter can't go unnoticed.
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Cassidy Barbaro breaks through as the first (but definitely not the last) of the talented Class of 2014 to reach the varsity. Cassidy has terrific quickness, good passing skills, and serves very well. She will compete for time as a regular as a defensive specialist and spot server.
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Melrose has a lot of depth this season. Junior Brittany Adelman (far right, wearing the shoulder splint) starts the season injured. She played outside hitter last season. Next to her, Maggie Moriarty will also look for time as a defensive specialist. Maggie has a sister (freshman Maeve) on the Junior Varsity as the tradition of having 'volleyball families' continues. Sophomore Sydney Doherty (player second from left) is another versatile athlete who will look for time as an outside hitter.
So, although graduation produced losses, those losses produce this year's gain, an athletically gifted group that will compete at a very high level from the outset. Fans should anticipate excellent volleyball from this group despite its youth. The first match is Wednesday at 4 P.M. in the Middle School Gymnasium.
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