Year in Review Begs the Same Questions Each Season

 “It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.”

― Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

The same concerns occupy Melrose volleyball fans each offseason. Where will the points arise, who steps up in the back row, and who's the setter? Admittedly, those were lesser concerns heading into the 2012 season after the prior season's appearance in the Finals.  

This campaign Melrose needed to replace 469 kills lost to graduation with Elena Soukos, Abby Hudson, and Ava Burns. Gia Vlajkovic, back to attack, and Anna Shoemaker combined for 453 kills themselves, while Trinity-bound Chloe Gentile and Sadie Jaggers boosted their totals to add 383. 

The back row got massive talent infusion from Emma Desmond, Ava McSorley, Gia, and Grace Gentile to more than hold their own. 

Ruth Breen erased the question mark at setter with an historic season of her own with 639 assists. 

Four early season non-league losses hardened the team for postseason play. The team fostered an 11-game win streak and reached the Final Four again with big wins over Billerica and a program 'signature win' over undefeated Duxbury on the road. 

The senior contributions (all had meaningful roles) will be hard to replicate. Multiple players must step up to approach the all-around play of Gia. Who will recreate the blocking of Chloe and Sadie in particular? Sadie and Manon Marchais return as a potentially potent pair, and Coach Scott Celli has elite size returning with Sabine Wenzel and an athletic outside in Caroline Higonenq as a second possible pair. 

Grace Gentile will be a competitor for libero along with Maggie Turner. A panoply of junior varsity players may figure in the mix. Offseason 'repetitions make season reputations'. We never know whom may emerge. 

Tricaptain Leah Fowke is an early favorite as the next setter but you never know whether a promising defender like Maggie Turner can challenge for a role. DS Gigi Albuja could be hunting a designated server/defender spot. 

Players should remember that coaches seek size, athleticism, and skill to develop elite players. But don't discount the advice of rocker Meatloaf as to filling spots. Coach Scott Celli faces 'good problems' seeking a "three-peat" of sectional championships with three distinctly different rosters. 

 

Lagniappe (something extra). "He stole my bicycle." 

Nobody takes your metaphorical bicycle and gets away with it.