This year's team accomplished a three-year run of Division 2 North championships, but the groundwork was laid long ago. One of the long-time (anonymous) boosters of the volleyball program shared his thoughts with me today after the victory at Lawrence. He noted that many of the pioneers of the program share responsibility and deserve recognition. The great success from years ago encouraged today's players.
Coach Scott Celli probably never dreamed of becoming a coaching legend locally, but built a program based on continuity, success, and especially fun. He helped establish volleyball as the most popular girls' sport locally, with more players playing, playing at a younger age, and playing in the offseason.
A lot of factors contributed to the program's development:
- Superior coaching
- Early and iconic success
- Encouraging elementary and middle school players to develop interest and skill in volleyball**
- Local summer volleyball camps
- Player and family dedication to improvement
- Tremendous community support
- Multimedia exposure through community access television
- A vision dedicated to producing the highest level play possible to achieve program goals
- A willingness to play the best teams available as non-league opponents (e.g. Barnstable, Westboro, etc)
- Development of 'friendly rivalries' which improve both programs (specifically with Central Catholic). Both teams benefit.
- Establishment of a middle school volleyball program
- A willingness to focus on team versus individual goals
No, we're not California, Florida, or Texas and we understand our limitations, but we're working hard to keep climbing the mountain. We thank all those who continue to contribute to make volleyball popular and successful. It's a team effort.
**the interest sometimes inflicts damages to lamps in the home...I've seen this up close and personally. Maybe that's why they call it "bumping".
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