End of Season Celebration

"Tradition never graduates."

Tonight Melrose Volleyball celebrates its players, families, and culture with the annual end-of-season breakup dinner. 

There's always plenty of good food, company, and memories to share. 

Coaches Celli, Schmitt, and Mays review their season and distribute certificates and awards (i.e. Varsity letters, All-Star Recognition, et cetera). 

Graduating seniors often share a few of their thoughts.

Sometimes there is a slide presentation or video recap of the season. 

And the leadership mantle is passed from this year's captains (Chloe Gentile, Gia Vlajkovic, Sadie Jaggers) to next. Coach Celli reviews the attention to detail in captain selection, from application to discussion with school administration leaders. 

It's worth reflecting on 'unseen inputs' that contribute to consistent success.

• The time and treasure sacrifices of players and their families that underlie success.
• The "unseen hours" that coaches contribute planning practice, scouting opponents on video or in person, leading to missed dinners and family activities
• Offseason play, clinics, and travel that separate contenders from champions
• Fundraising that nobody enjoys
• Team reading like Jay Bilas's "Toughness" to build resilience

Lagniappe. This lengthy summary of Sam Walker's The Captain Class discusses the leadership role of the women and men who captained the greatest teams in sport history. It's worth "print and save" status.

Excerpts:

THE SEVEN TRAITS OF ELITE CAPTAINS

1. Extreme doggedness and focus in competition.
2. Aggressive play that tests the limits of the rules.
3. A willingness to do thankless jobs in the shadows.
4. A low-key, practical, and democratic communication style.
5. Motivates others with passionate nonverbal displays.
6. Strong convictions and the courage to stand apart.
7. Ironclad emotional control.

"In training, the Cubans would raise the nets by eight inches to match the height of the men’s game. They strengthened their legs by leaping one hundred times onto a tall box while holding weights. “They hit harder than some men’s teams,” noted Mike Hebert, a retired American volleyball coach who saw them practice. “Every attempt appeared to have the spiker’s reputation riding on it.”"

Cuban captain Mireya Luis video...watch first at normal speed then at 1/4 speed to break down the runup footwork and swing. She hits down INSIDE the ten foot line to either side.