Saturday, July 20, 2024

Exclamation Points

Call them exclamation points. A team faces a strong opponent and takes them apart. Melrose overwhelmed opponents in unexpected ways throughout the years and took some punishment, too. 

2003. Sectional finals. Melrose swept 22-0 Arlington Catholic, a team that had not lost a set during their entire season. 

2005. Rematch at Roosevelt. A top ML team had 'trash talked' Melrose despite having been swept in an early season match. Melrose responded by winning the first set 25-3. A Melrose player chirped, "was that good enough for you?" 

2007. Rocket takedown. Melrose had lost the league title in 2006 in a controversial five set match. Led by sophomore Hannah Brickley, Melrose answered by winning the first set of the rematch, at one stretch scoring 24 of 25 points during the set. 

2011. Melrose traveled to D1 Lincoln-Sudbury to face one of the top teams in the state. Foreshadowing a State Title in 2012, Melrose put on a devastating beatdown of the Warriors. 


2012. On the biggest stage, the State Championship game, Melrose won the final set 25-10 against perennial power Longmeadow to cap its 26-1 season. 

Only time will tell whether MVB 24 summons the skill and will to dominate top competition this season. As Coach Kara Lawson said, "touch perfection" as often as possible. 

Lagniappe. What high praise does Coach Scott Celli deliver about players? 
  • "She wants to improve."
  • "She wants to play."
  • "She wants to win." 
Your attitude and approach defines you daily.
 

Lagniappe 2. UCONN has won the most championships in the past several decades. Danny Hurley explains the importance of stopping mistakes at the first one. Stop the bleeding. Don't let lack of focus turn a teaspoon of blood into needing a transfusion. 
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