"Good Problems" for Melrose Volleyball

Melrose volleyball returns with the usual blend of youth and experience. Coach Scott Celli announced the 2013 initial roster, with a bevy of new faces preparing for the fall campaign. Last season the team finished 26-1 and captured its first state championship.

Roster from Maxpreps.com.

Five seniors return : Alyssa Abbott, Annalisa DeBari, Cassidy Barbaro (C), Jill MacInnes (C), and Maave Moriarty.

Returning juniors include: Allie Nolan (C), Amanda Cain, Ashley Harding, Meri Lessing, and Stephanie Crovo.

A pair of sophomores arrive: Hannah Mulcahy and Marissa Cataldo.

For the first time, two freshmen make the initial roster: Cat Torpey and Victoria Crovo.

The Crovos will be yet another "sister act" for Melrose volleyball, and Amanda Cain succeeds her sister Jen on the roster.

Coach Scott Celli noted the addition of size with 5-11 Torpey, 5-10 Mulcahy, 5-9 Crovo, and 5-7 Cataldo and having "good problems" of establishing rotations and roles on the team. Longitudinal success comes from both the continuity of experience and the addition of talented young players to learn the system. Coach Celli was clearly excited about the roster noting the potential for all-around players to develop the stature of graduated senior Jen Cain.

An abundance of talented players allows coaching flexibility. For example, the talent in the back row last season (current players plus Amanda Commito and Jen Cain) allowed Sarah McGowan to get valuable rest, which translated into over 300 kills as one of the top hitters in Massachusetts. It also allowed younger players (MacInnes and Nolan in particular) to gain both experience and extra reps that turned them into standout players.

The preseason practices and scrimmages create a lot of opportunities for the team to bond and to compete for chances to contribute to another successful season. The overall improvement in the level of play of the entire roster fosters the day-to-day competition that raises the level of excellence in the program. In other words, the skills demonstrated by the reserves encourages the competence, competitiveness, and consistency of players at the top of the rotation. One cannot underestimate the value of this to both quality process and outcome.

Melrose opens the season September 7th, hosting Arlington Catholic at 5:30 (or earlier depending on the finish of the JV game). Within the Middlesex League, varsity contests will start this year at 4:00 per a vote of athletic directors.