Quarter Pole, The Value of Playing with "Fierce Joy"

The first quarter of the Melrose volleyball season is in the books, a 4-1 record, lessons learned in victory and defeat. 

In The Vision of a Champion, UNC Women's Soccer coach Anson Dorrance discusses the continual ascension of players. Carving out roles later in the season and postseason demands that growth. 

Melrose has split with .500 or above teams (Woburn 4-1, Peabody 2-1) and is unbeaten against sub .500 teams. 

Melrose is 4-0 in the Middlesex League, 3-0 against Liberty Division foes and 1-0 versus the Freedom Division. 

Serving percentage is at 89.7 percent, slightly below where Melrose usually sits in the low 90s. 

As anticipated, the offensive leaders include Gia Vlajkovic (OH), Chloe Gentile (OH), and Sadie Jaggers (MH). Ruth Breen is among assist leaders in the Commonwealth and Emma Desmond has been a fixture at libero. 

Coach Scott Celli continues to mix-and-match around that core with the most challenging portion of the schedule ahead. Virtually everyone on the roster has a chance to write their narrative going forward. 

Authenticity. You have to be yourself because you can't be anyone else. If I had to pick an All-Time Melrose roster, this woman (a veterinary student) gets a spot for leadership, toughness, and skill. She played volleyball because they probably wouldn't welcome her playing free safety on the football team. She played with fierce joy, a wonder to watch year-in, year-out for four years. As a freshman in the sectional finals, she was Melrose's top player and she never stopped. 

Upcoming schedule:

Melrose has a pair of Freedom Division matches this week, starting away at Wakefield. Do not underestimate the club coached by former Melrose star Kayla Wyland, which like Melrose shows in-season growth.