Hark the Herald Names Emily Hudson as an All-Scholastic

The Boston Herald has an exceptional high school sports presence, led by Danny Ventura. And word is out that Emily Hudson has achieved All-Scholastic Status. 

Her leadership and performance including Middlesex Freedom Divsion MVP and MGVCA All-State recognition all roll into this latest award. 

Volleyball participation has increased nationwide and participation in Melrose volleyball offers players an exceptional team culture, strong coaching, and a winning experience that often leads to area and state recognition. 

Emily's List: Hudson Named to MGVCA All-State Division 2 Team

WPI-bound Emily Hudson adds another award to her trophy case, named a Division 2 All-State selectee by the Massachusetts Girls Volleyball Coaches Association. 

Melrose has added at least one player to the All-State roster each year since 2007. Melrose had a pair of selectees in 2005, 2009, and 2012. And All-Everything Hannah Brickley was a three-time honoree in 2007-2009. 

Hudson showed a panoply of skills during her four-year varsity career, emerging as an impact player during a tough 3-1 loss at Winchester in 2017. 

She was second in kills, fourth in service points, and was a formidable blocker in helping to lead the Lady Raiders to the Freedom Division title and a 12-1 season. 

Rituals and Meaning

Rituals exist because they add meaning to our experiences. They create Moments, which the Heath brothers elaborate in The Power of Moments. 

Factors which impact moments are EPIC - with elevation, pride, insight, and connection. The end-of-year volleyball celebration is a high point (elevation), adds pride (achievement, awards), insight (what happened and why), and connection among players, families, coaches, and supporters (e.g. our family). 

Everyone will remember this season for the pandemic, the schedule, the postseason, lack of a state tournaments, and the outdoor gathering. It's memorable in other ways, too, including the multiple pairs of siblings on the team (the Hudsons, Gentiles), the strength of the offense, and limited attendance but live-streaming of games. I hope the latter continues as I especially don't like the trip to Worcester (Watertown).

Find ways to create moments for yourself, your family, and those around you. Sometimes, just a kind word suffices. And read, read, read, read, read. 

 

 

Fall Captains Announced (No Laughing Matter)

Photo courtesy of Jen Gentile. Click to enlarge...

 

Outgoing captain Emily Hudson (center), flanked left to right by sister Abby, Elena Soukos, Chloe Gentile, and Autumn Whelan 

Volleyball Teams Celebrate Another Banner Year

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” - Charles Dickens,  A Tale of Two Cities

Melrose volleyball claimed its fourteenth consecutive league volleyball title, undefeated within the Freedom Division. The victors got the spoils with a distanced celebration at the Prince Pizza tent. 

Coach Scott Celli noted the combined record of the program (Varsity, JVa, JVb) was 29-2, including 12-1 for the Varsity. 

Players got a variety of certificates, varsity letters, bars, stars, and swag. 

Coaches Celli, Schmitt, and Mays distributed praise and awards and Coach Celli announced Fall 2021 captains. 

Middlesex League All-Stars: 

• Eva Haralabatos 
• Autumn Whelan 
• Elena Soukos
• Middlesex League MVP Emily Hudson

Team Awards:

• Top Server - Eva Haralabatos
• Best Defender - Autumn Whelan
• Top Attacker - Elena Soukos
• Unsung Hero - Emma Desmond
• Most Improved - Abby Hudson
• MVP - Emily Hudson
• Coaches Award - Chloe Gentile

Captains are selected through a rigorous process including an essay, team vote, coaches' discussion, and consultation with the MHS Principal (Mr. Merrill) and Athletic Director (Mr. Fogarty). Selectees for the fall 2021 season are: 

• Autumn Whelan
• Chloe Gentile
• Elena Soukos
• Abby Hudson

Coach Celli noted that this was the most versatile offense since the 2012 State Championship team and the depth of the attackers was exceptional. 

 

Team Reading Projects (Cross Post)

I'm nobody's Jiminy Cricket, the 1883 fictional character. Watch the world in search of better ideas for team building. 

Here's a post from my basketball blog informing team and individual reading. Read to lead. 

Post-season Celebration Tuesday

Everything about the 2021 season was different. Players distanced and wore masks. The schedule confined games to the Freedom Division. The ML12 had postseason interdivision playoffs instead of a state tournament. 

But the one constant was excellence, an outstanding season. 

The University of North Carolina Women's Soccer team has won 21 of 31 NCAA titles, with stars like Mia Hamm leading the way. They have a sign in the locker room 

Excellence is our only agenda.

And they take that seriously. Exceptional teams pull in one direction, support each other, pay attention to detail, and get on the same page. When adversity arises, as it always does, they don't give up or give in. They get up and get in. 

The postseason celebration gathering (Tuesday) is different this season, too, outdoors under a socially-distanced tent. But it provides an opportunity to recognize the commitment, sacrifice, and achievements of the volleyball family. 

Years ago, someone asked legendary football coach Amos Alonzo Stagg, "what do you think about your team?" He answered, "ask me in twenty years." He meant that time and relationships would decide. 

You say, 'volleyball family.' What do you mean? Network the relationships available to move ahead. Former MHS Volleyball captain Victoria Crovo graduates from UMASS Amherst this spring and begins Veterinary Medicine school later this year. The V-Rex will become Dr. V-Rex. 

It wasn't so many years ago that Victoria (right) came with sister Stephanie (left) to watch the volleyball girls like Liz Sheerin compete.