Top Ten Reasons to Watch

Coaches Celli and Walsh and the team were hard at work on coverages today, as well as working on situational volleyball.

A new season beckons, from A to Z. Speaking of A to Z, Melrose has one senior, Athena Ziavras.

And yes, there's another change in the schedule, as Monday's game will be a home contest instead of a road tilt.  Coach Celli had to drop participation in the Holyoke volleyball tournament as some of the players had other academic commitments.

So, tomorrow at four o'clock, the ball goes up on the 2010 season. And here are ten of the top reasons to watch this years team.

• 10  Youth will be served. More than half the roster is composed of sophomores and freshmen.
• 9  The team has new uniforms, revealed tomorrow. What will they look like?
• 8  This team looks to be the most 'athletic' Melrose volleyball team, top to bottom, ever.
• 7  The season has an attractive non-league schedule, including Northern power Central Catholic and Southern elite, Canton...
• 6  Find out who replaces the 550 kills from Hannah Brickley, Laura Irwin, and Siena Mamayek.
• 5  Combination special. Watch the young team develop with depth at all positions. 
• 4  Block off the old 'chip'.  The Lady Raiders have some veterans at the net (Jill Slabacheski, Alyssa DiRaffaele) but they've got some "new kids on the block", especially Rachel Johnson, Sarah McGowan, and Jen Cain who have 'ups'. Expect the "Roof" cheer...often.
• 3  "Do the math." Melrose has superior coaching.

 And, they never age.

• 2  Full tilt, full time. These athletes play hard every play, every day, to the whistle.
• 1  Taking care of business. Excellent process will result in outstanding performance.

Support the girls in 2010 as you have each year.