Play Day Feature

Melrose and Masconomet prepare for their play day scrimmage. 

Melrose had its final tuneup for its September 7th opener, hosting its first play day with six area teams. The locals emerged with a four and one record, slightly outpointed by Masco. 

"Coaches don't make lineups, players do." Spirited competition separates the cream. With Chloe Gentile back from illness, Melrose had a full complement of players for the five thirty-minute sessions. 

Volleyball takes you places. 

1. UCONN Coach Geno Auriemma says that if an assistant coach has to ask whom they're scouting after a few minutes, they're in the wrong place. Stars impact the game from the jump. 

2. Evaluation parallels execution. Watching a big cohort of players, you'll see some who, "look like Tarzan and play like Jane." That didn't apply to a number of Masco athletes who showed both size and athleticism. Strength and conditioning polish hidden gems into precious stones. 

3. Athletic carriage. Watch how players carry themselves. Some have 'it', an air of confidence and swagger that carries over into the matches.

4. "Play with force." Often the more aggressive team carries the play. Volleyball is often a game of momentum. Beating good teams requires winning points, "possession ending" plays. What separates more effective from average players is often decisiveness manifested as force. 

5. "Get me over." Situations arise when getting the ball over is the right play, as opposed to going for winners. When that's the case, don't be 'cute'...get the ball over, instead of short into the net. Those are the equivalents of basketball turnovers. 

6. Grade inflation? Achievement equals productivity x time. But more productivity also earns players more time. Bill Parcells had a saying that coaches were the most selfish people, as they put players on the field who make them look good. 

7. Buy or sell? It's premature to make pronouncements about the season, but the team has shown competitiveness which is needed for success. I spoke with Coach Ryan Celli of Swampscott who said his team accomplished goals of making Melrose work for points and continuing their ascent towards becoming a playoff club.  

8. Great Wall 2? Blocking is pivotal in establishing consistent defense. Blocking scores points, intimidates hitters, and takes pressure off the back row. It's important for the outside blocker to angle her outside hand to deflect balls into play instead of out of bounds. Melrose's tandem of Rachel Johnson and Kayla Wyland in 2012 was the original Great Wall. We'll see whether Chloe Gentile and Sadie Jaggers can pair with either Gia or another blocker to anchor the defense. 

9. Raise your level. The time-limited format doesn't allow for much assessment of teams to respond under pressure. There's reality and myth. Statistically, pressure degrades performance, but top players have less falloff, so "steadiness under pressure" matters. 

10."Razor's edge." "It's always showtime." What do I mean? Compete. The evaluation doesn't end with tryouts or scrimmages. Analogous to tennis "ladders," players earn more opportunities in a "performance-focused, feedback-rich" environment. Whoever earns the initial chances in the lineup this week gets first crack at solidifying a role. Fifty years ago, Coach Sonny Lane reminded us it's who finishes not who starts. 

In 2002, Melrose got off to a 7-6 start, when Coach Scott Celli promoted a freshman opposite from JV into the lineup. The team finished 6-1 and won a memorable playoff game against Dracut. Her name? Paula Sen. 

Melrose Notes: Here's the first week of the season schedule.