Melrose Volleyball 2021 End of Season Banquet

That's a wrap of the 2021 volleyball season with a celebration of the journey. The Booster Club shared the beautiful Bear Hill Golf Club. Delicious dinner featured chicken fingers, Caesar salad, chicken broccoli ziti, and pasta with red sauce. 

2021 was a special season as the club won the Middlesex League and finished the season 21-3 with another Final Four appearance. 

The ML title was Melrose's fifteenth consecutive and the team reached the Final Four for the ninth time since 2003. 

Coaches Lydia Mays, Ryan Schmitt, and Scott Celli hosted the program and awarded certificates, letters, and special awards. 

Coach Celli announced that Elena Soukos was named a Boston Herald All-Scholastic today, earning her the coveted "Triple Crown" (All-State, Globe, and Herald All-Scholastic). She is in the conversation for inclusion among the top players in Melrose Volleyball history. 

Melrose Varsity Volleyball Awards

Top server - Abby Hudson (won points on about 68% of serves)

Top offensive - Gia Vlajkovic

Top defender - Chloe Gentile

Most improved - Ava Burns

Unsung hero - Sadie Jaggers

MVP - Elena Soukos (also  ML Freedom Division MVP)

Coach's Award - Autumn Whelan

Jen Gentile produced a Melrose Volleyball closing video. 

Players and coaches left touching remarks and roasting for Assistant Ryan Schmitt who is stepping down to be able to spend more time with family. Coach Scott Celli praised Schmitt as the best assistant he's had in thirty years of coaching. 

Finally, Coach Celli described the Captaincy selection process, from Application, to exit interview, team votes, and discussion with school administrators (Principal/AD). 

Incoming captains join Coach Celli with outgoing captains. Team captains for 2022 include future seniors Chloe Gentile and Gia Vlajkovic and rising junior Sadie Jaggers. 

As always, Coach Celli reminded players of future opportunity. All positions are open for competition. 

Many thanks to the boosters for including me in the celebration.