"Water the flowers." People never forget how we make them feel.
Once a teacher's class frustrated her because they couldn't collaborate. She gave each student a sheet with names of classmates. She asked them to write two things they liked about each. She cut and pasted them onto a paper that she returned to each student. It proved miraculous.
Many years later, the teacher passed and students attended her services. Some still had those cut and pasted "praise sheets" from her in their purses or wallets.
Senior leadership lifts teams to levels otherwise unachievable. Making the Melrose volleyball team is tough and being a steady contributor even more demanding. Here are a few observations about each senior (alphabetically).
Ruth Breen
- Teams without an excellent setter are like cars without engines. Ruth's consistency stands out. Of players with over 100 serves, she has the highest serving percentage.
- Phenomenal progression from junior to senior year and already is in a tie for 12th in highest single season assist totals. You don't get three hitters with over 150 kills without good setting.
Emma Desmond
- Teams need strength up the middle and Emma's libero defense has provided that in full measure. Her play has risen dramatically over the season to the point that All-Star status was a given.
- Emma's serving has recently come on strong, when it is needed the most.
- Chloe is the anchor of the front row defense and has the second most kills on the team. She is a vocal and inspirational leader.
- Chloe has tons of experience which helps her make 'instinctive' plays around the net. She leads the team in serves and service points, which also means she's a valuable cog in the back row defense.
- Defensive specialists stand out most when they struggle with shanked balls, receive errors, or overpasses. She's like an umpire, doing her job quietly and getting it right.
- Ava brings reliable serving with the fourth most service points on the team.
- Every team with high aspirations needs three 'dynamic' hitters who can deliver double digit kills on a given day. She's the 'missing link' fourth hitter for Melrose. Injuries held her back in the first half of the season but she's been on fire the second half with nine or more kills four times.
- Another one of those players that the coaches say is one of the best people you'll ever meet.
- Coaches value explosive athletes. Gia gives you "fast twitch" athleticism every time she's on the court. She plays 'all-around', meaning she's always on the court in the front or the back. If you needed a 'decathlete' candidate, you might look to her.
- Coaches also value performance. Freedom division MVP, All-Conference, top 8 in All-Time Single Season kills at Melrose, Gia delivers high production and always with a smile.
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