1. Survive and advance. Destiny called as Melrose and Billerica will clash for the third consecutive year as Melrose hosts the Merrimack Valley club next Wednesday.
2. Student support. A large contingent of students arrived many wearing white sweatshirts. Back in the day, a product called "White Out" helped us write papers as we erased mistakes. Call it a "white out" night.
3. Serve Pros. Melrose served at a higher efficiency rate than during the regular season, over 90 percent. Both Grace Gentile and Gigi Albuja serves resulted in points in over 80 percent. Extraordinary.
4. Received. The back row (Grace, Gigi, Maggie Turner, and Sadie Jaggers) had an efficient night, getting or keeping balls up.
Grace was good from the jump, showing solid platform skills at the first play of the match.
5. Senior leadership. Sadie, Grace, and Manon Marchais all showed their playoff chops. Yes, Melrose had deep playoff runs with few seniors, but not often.
6. Return engagement. Caroline Higonenq's return makes a difference both offensively and defensively. She takes a 'big swing' that impacts opposing defenses in the same mold as former player Laura Irwin.
7. Fast start. Slow starts have plagued Melrose through the years but not last night. After losing the opening point, Melrose went on a 13-1 run to put the first set away early.
8. Middling not Fair?
Sabine Wenzel took care of business in the middle with high attack efficiency.
9. Short game. "Drive for show and putt for dough." Melrose, specifically Sadie, used the whole court with their short game. Scituate brought a defender across to attempt to handle this but to no avail.
10. Talk it up. "Vaccinated with a phonograph needle" was an old expression. Melrose talked from warmups. I heard Abby Dennison calling "mine" during early warmups. And of course, Maggie Turner energizes teammates before the play even starts.
"Silent teams lose." Talk intimidates. Talk elevates teammates.
Lagniappe. A big crowd helps leverage the home court advantage.
A large, enthusiastic showing next Wednesday against Billerica would make a difference, too.
At the MHS Athletic Hall of Fame meeting last week, a new member remarked, "that guy Celli has done an amazing job." By the numbers - he has amassed almost 500 wins at Melrose alone, 17 consecutive league titles, helped coach 17 MVCA All-State players, earned 10 sectional titles, 4 Finals appearances, 2 Boston Herald Team of the Decade members, and a State Championship in 2012.
Last night he exploited underappreciated tactics, critical timeouts to refocus the team. Proven experience makes a difference.
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