Attention to Detail - 2012

Yesterday's piece included the 2012 dismantling of AC by the future state champions. What made them so dominant? 

1) Talent. Talent wins. They had two players from the Boston Herald "Team of the Decade," Brooke Bell and Sara McGowan. They were the visible part of the iceberg. Jen Cain performed at an All-State level all season, the "Swiss Army Knife" who excelled all-around. Then they had the elite blocking pair of Rachel Johnson and Kayla Wyland, "the Great Wall." And there's more. Two back row players Jill MacInnes and Allie Nolan were future All-State players. J-Mac is arguably the greatest MVB libero. And then, Amanda Commito, another ML All-Star defender and sneaky southpaw server. Plus Cassidy Barbaro who served topspin rockets in the 'designated server' role.

2) Experience. The team was loaded with seniors who had fought the VB wars, including losing in the State Finals in 2011. "Experience is the best teacher, but sometimes the tuition is high." 

3) Consistency. The team won 80 sets and lost 4, three to D1 State runnerup Newton North. MVB lost one set in the postseason. They almost always delivered their "A" game. 

4) Versatility. Examine the six core volleyball skills.

• Serving
• Passing
• Attacking 
• Blocking 
• Setting 
• Digging 

They had a multitude of strong servers with different styles varying from float to topspin, "rotten grapefruit" short balls, jump serves, and multiple lefthanders (Bell, Commito). 

The passing was outstanding, especially from MacInnes, Cain, and Commito. 

They had the "big three" attackers with McGowan, Cain, and Johnson who especially stepped up in the final three games of the championship run. Analisa DeBari, one of the greatest women athletes in Melrose history also chipped in outside attacks. 

The Johnson-Wyland block pair had exceptional size and timing. When they weren't scoring, they were intimidating the top opposition outside hitters, forced to hit high and long. Also, McGowan's blocking was above average and underrated in the middle.  

Brooke Bell ranks at the top of MVB setters statistically, winning, and recognition with All-State (twice) status and Player of the Year. She had tough soft serves and attacked with setter dumps and pushes to the deep corner, as well as providing excellent defense. 

The ability to "keep the ball up" was exceptional with J-Mac, Cain, Commito, and others.

5) Coaching doesn't get enough credit with elite talent. The ability to keep the team focused and happy is underappreciated. Coach Celli's clubs had earned Sectional championship matches virtually every year. The "four-peat from 2009-2012 could have been more if not interrupted by the brilliance of Central Catholic and setter Caroline Eddy the previous two years. 

If you haven't studied MVB 2012 and you want to learn about excellence, then invest the time. 

Lagniappe. Rafael Devers grew up in the Dominican hitting bottle caps with broomsticks. That trained his focus for MLB. Here's an analogy.