Sister Act

Junior Stephanie Crovo and sister freshman Victoria are the latest among a long tradition of "sister acts" within the Melrose volleyball program. All have contributed to the decade plus success of the program. Apologies (if/when) I forget somebody.

The culture of a program matters beyond 'talk'. Players have to develop unalterable trust, communication, and reliance on each other...and who has more of that than siblings?

Melrose has been winning for awhile, with sisters a big part of the success. 

Erin Hudd was one of three sisters playing volleyball for Melrose. The Hudd family actively recruited players into the program and were an integral part of the rise of Melrose volleyball. Erin "the Hammer" helped lead Melrose to its first sectional championship. Erin played for UMASS-Lowell after starring at Melrose.

Marianne (Boston Globe, All-Scholastic, above) and Michelle Foley were one of the earliest sibling pairs within the program. Marianne helped lead the 2003 team to Melrose's first sectional championship and Michelle was a big contributor to the 2005 state finalist.

Kerry and Laura Dillon were both outstanding liberos and like the Foleys, got their share of 'hardware' with sectional championships.

Laura Dillon was recipient of the "top defender" award at the volleyball banquet.

Karen and Paula Sen played four years of varsity volleyball, including sixteen post-season matches and were Melrose's first All-State volleyball selections. You might say volleyball took them places.

Maggie (left, above) and Maave Moriarty have played defensive specialist for the Lady Raiders. Both have championship trophies on their mantle, Maggie from Division 2 North and Maave as part of the 2012 state championship team.

Jen Cain made her mark as one of Melrose's top all-around players and sister Amanda is working her way to get there. Jen starred on the 2012 state championship team and is playing college ball for Merrimack.

Jill MacInnes (above) stars for Melrose as an all-league defender. Sister Kaitlyn is a freshman on the junior varsity.

Cassidy Barbaro is an excellent defensive specialist and server, four year player, who helped lead Melrose to a state title last season. Sister Chrysta is on the junior varsity.

This is the quintessential Melrose "sister act" picture...with Cassidy, Maave, Jill, Allie Nolan, Amanda (top right) and sister Jen (bottom right), flanking All-State players Brooke Bell and Sarah McGowan.

Allie Nolan continues to star for Melrose as a junior captain and setter, with sister Caroline on the junior varsity.

Stephanie (left) and Victoria Crovo are the latest Lady Raiders to play together on the Melrose varsity. Stephanie played on the state title team in 2012 and Victoria led Melrose in kills as a freshman yesterday with eight.

Melrose's volleyball tradition goes back a long way...apologies to anyone I've "misremembered". I'm sure someone will refresh my memory.