Melrose remained undefeated (4-0) with a 25-14, 25-18, 25-1 win over visiting Watertown.
Every match informs lessons. Coach Anson Dorrance of the UNC Soccer Women's Team requires his team to read Michael Useem's The Leadership Moment. In the introduction Useem suggests readers remember four questions:
-What went well?
-What went poorly?
-What can we do better?
-What are the enduring lessons?
My themes for today were RESPECT, RESILIENCE, and RISING STARS. Melrose was without two linchpins of the team, Captains Chloe Gentile and Elena Soukos. And Watertown earned respect with a stout defensive effort and much improved serving. They came to play.
Despite missing Chloe and Elena, Melrose brings a stable of weapons to the match, with seniors Grace Sanderson and Sofia Centrella stepping up at middle and outside hitter. Both lead the young Lady Raiders throughout. And sisters Emily and Abby Hudson brought steadiness and power to the front line working side by side.
Dean Smith's UNC Tarheels started the "White Team" and substituted the "Blue Team" as potent reserves. Melrose's version, the "Red Team" included setter Emma Desmond, defensive specialist Ava McSorley, freshman middle Sadie Jaggers (career high three kills on her birthday), Ava Burns, and defender Grace Gentile. Watertown gave the Red Team all they could handle, trailing 15-14 until Melrose closed them out with a 10-4 run.
The third set saw the White Team restore order with a dominant performance led by Senior setter Eva Haralabatos, libero Autumn Whelan, Sanderson, Sofia, the Hudsons, and sophomore Gia Vlajkovic.
Video from MHS-TV via YouTube.
What qualities belong to elite hitters? They bring size, timing, athleticism and power, using the run-up to bring force to the attack. Notice how Gia starts the attack well behind the ten-foot line and thunders the attack cross-court.
Junior Abby Hudson shows her continued improvement and steadiness from the strong side.
Consistent programs develop young, productive players. Freshman Sadie Jaggers fits that description with a knack for attacking off the short ball.
Missing two of its top six challenged the young Lady Raiders. But they rose to the occasion against a feisty Watertown squad.
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