Sunday, November 21, 2010

Volleyball Season Wrap-up


Through our individual prisms, we make choices. We can see and celebrate that which we have accomplished or wallow in the miasma of unfulfilled dreams. Choose the former, know our reality, and aspire for something greater. Every season brings triumphs and disappointments...always has and always will.

This year Melrose Volleyball stepped back to the future, winning back-to-back Division 2 North titles for the first time since 2004, with its youngest team in many years. The saying in sports says that you have to pay your dues and that young teams must learn to win. The 2010 Lady Raiders got a discount on the dues.

As far as individual game highlights go, Melrose had big wins against Reading, perennial rival Arlington Catholic, a strong Canton team, and post-season terrific wins against North Reading and Bishop Fenwick, which played sensational defense to extend Melrose to five sets. Melrose had to rally from first and fourth set defeats, and overcome one match point en route to its fifth Division 2 North championship

Team Achievements:

  • Division 2 North Championship (this team's signature win)
  • Fifth Division 2 North Championship
  • Eighth consecutive D2 North Championship appearance
  • Middlesex League Co-Championship
  • Twenty win season (21-3)
  • At times, cracked Maxpreps.com top 10 Massachusetts ranking
Individual Achievements:
  • Athena Ziavras, MGVCA All-State Division 2 selection, Boston Globe All-Scholastic, Middlesex League All-League (top 7 players)
  • Brooke Bell, Middlesex League All-League, 3rd in Massachusetts assists (532), Fewest service errors in the history of known universe 
  • Alyssa DiRaffaele, Middlesex League All-Star
  • Jill Slabacheski, Middlesex League All-Star
More than anything else, Melrose volleyball is about people and tradition. The volleyball program has tradition like pregame Tootsie Pops and a willingness to upgrade the schedule to allow the team to compete at a high level in the postseason. 

The Middlesex League is getting better, with Reading always fielding a strong and dynamic team, Stoneham improving dramatically after adding Coach Viselli, Lexington working to maintain first division status, and Winchester becoming a playoff team for the second consecutive year. 
Senior tri-captain Athena Ziavras continued the long tradition of outstanding leadership and achievement on and off the court.
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Junior tri-captain Jill Slabacheski, like Athena and Brooke are in there at all times, and still smiles. 
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Junior tri-captain Alyssa DiRaffaele played strong defense and her performance at the important libero position helped spark Melrose's playoff run.
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Junior Setter Rachael Wolley presented a unique challenge. I had a lot of trouble finding a picture where she wasn't smiling. Martha Stewart might call that "a very good thing". 
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Brittany Adelman, you might call her the "X-factor". Brittany transformed herself into a full-time volleyball player, only to suffer a freak injury before the season. As a senior next season, she will bring diverse skills to compete for a big role on the 2011 team. 
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Maggie Moriarty is another Junior that will battle for time in the back row. 
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Brooke Bell has been "under surveillance", anointed the "player of the future" since elementary school. She continues to add to her skill repertoire and will eventually hold all the setting records at Melrose High School and be recognized as an All-State player. You read it here first. 
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Rachel Johnson proved to be a productive middle monster blocking force this season, in accordance with Coach Celli's expectations. Her pass to Brooke set up Athena's championship point against Fenwick. The sky's the limit for her as she works on her all-around game. 
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Sarah McGowan, another sophomore, has outstanding all-around skills. A fearless hitter at the net, you can feel the nastiness to her game. The coaches have to like that. She has the potential to be one of the top all-around players in Melrose volleyball history. 
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Kayla Wyland, another sophomore, is a lanky left-hander whose natural athleticism and length make her a great prospect. She had a big game against North Reading in the sectional semis. 
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Jen Cain is "The Quiet One". I don't think I've ever heard her say a word. She does her talking on the court though and had an outstanding season (quietly) in the back row. 
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Sydney Doherty is yet another of the Super Soph class that has a chance to go down as the greatest class in the history of Melrose volleyball. This class will have a legitimate shot to be the only one to win four sectional titles, and if they can raise their game and slay the last dragon, bring a State Title home. Sydney has good all-around skills and will compete for time at outside hitter.
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Amanda Commito is a fierce competitor who got bit by the injury bug. The defensive specialist spent virtually the entire campaign on the injured list and has the athletic potential to be an elite defender. 
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Cassidy Barbaro is one of the few freshman to make the team out of tryouts. She is a superb athlete who also has competed in gymnastics and basketball. She has a bright future ahead of her.
Rachel Ardizzoni got the post-season call up as an outside hitter. She has good timing and vertical leap, and could be another "pocket rocket" reminiscent of Lauren Howe. 

As terrific as the Lady Raiders played this season, they will likely go into next season as the underdog to repeat in the Middlesex League, banging heads with Reading. The ability of Melrose to develop the next generation of hitters will determine the outcome of Version 2011, where the North plays the West in the state semis and the Central goes up against the South, with a strong possibility of a Fairhaven-Medfield rematch. 

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