"Everything Is Copy" - The Halfway Mark

"Everything is copy." - Nora Ephron

You hear it. You see it. You live it. Use it. Can you write independent of your experience? Good luck. 

At the halfway mark of the volleyball season, Melrose has an excellent 9-1 record, its only loss to 9-2 Belmont. It has a 'signature' win against Frontier, top-ranked in D4. 

Melrose has strong coaching, senior leaders, and ascending young players. It also faces some monumental challenges, rematches with Burlington and Wakefield, and the top teams in D1 (Newton North) and D2 (Westborough). 

Sadie Jaggers is tenth in Massachusetts in kills. Sophomore Sabine Wenzel is 19th. 

Leah Fowke has Swiss-Army knife responsibilities - setting, defending, blocking, serving and is 11th in assists. 

Libero Grace Gentile anchors the back row and is 15th in Massachusetts in digs. 

I have no authority to give out 'real' awards so I'll dispense two imaginary ones:

"Squawk Box" Award. Only one candidate exists - the loudest, most audible - Maggie Turner. Fortunately, vaccinated with a phonograph needle.

"Jurassic Who?" Award. Once they ruled the planet. Once Melrose had Victoria Crovo, the feared "V-Rex." Now Melrose has another volleyball predator, the Papatsoris, as Sofia has become the coveted 'third hitter'. 

Coming up next: Melrose had its hands full with always-tough Winchester, ranked 26th on the MIAA D1 toteboard. Lexington arrives tomorrow, no less a threat, clocking in at 19th on the D1 scale.