No two seasons are alike. The players and the opponents differ. Melrose's 2012 championship team was dominant in every way, losing only four sets all season including three to D1 finalist Newton North.
Three others (2005, 2011, 2017) lost in the state finals. The 2005 team was unique in having three hitters with 200 or more kills. 2011 was the incubator for the 2012 club, and 2017 rode an unexpected wave before falling 3-2 to Westborough.
Six other teams won sectional titles, which could have been more with a pair of teams losing to now D1 Central Catholic in the North finals.
Strong teams rely on offensive-defensive balance, talent, health and a little luck. Two exceptional teams led by Hannah Brickley and Colleen Hanscom had bad luck with injuries to Laura Irwin.
What about 2024? Talent? They return All-Conference setter Leah Fowke, a pair of strong middles in Sabine Wenzel and Sofia Papatsoris, and two excellent defenders in Maggie Turner and Gg Albuja. MVB has a pair of promising outside hitters in Caroline Higonenq and Emme Boyer, and a ton of depth with twelve players returning.
Then there's the "yeahbut." Melrose plays nine games against possible top 20 teams, including the defending D1 and D2 titlists.
You can't win league, sectional, or state titles on paper or in polls. What has to happen?
- Highly coordinated defense...the symbiosis between blockers and defensive specialists. Kayla Wyland (now Wakefield coach) was the right side blocking force from 2010-2012 with the "Great Wall" of Wyland and Rachel Johnson.
- Few 'turnovers', points allowed via serve and serve receive miscues.
- Three dynamic hitters pressuring opposing defenses.
- Continual improvement across the board during the season.
- Playing present. Teams can neither afford to look backward or forward. The game that matters is the next one.
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