Game 8: Melrose 3 Stoneham 0 "Development Day"

Melrose traveled to the newly minted Stoneham High School and forged a 25-15, 25-15, 25-20 over the Spartans. The win brings Melrose to 7-1. 

"Every day is player development day." With Sofia Papatsoris out with injury, Coach Scott Celli moved players around and got close observation of both veteran and young players. 

Sabine Wenzel dominated the first set, ably assisted by setter Leah Fowke. Carol Higonenq and Emme Boyer both has solid performances on the outside with Boyer breathing fire with four first sets kills. Sophomore Maggie Shoemaker owned the second middle spot with a capable outing. 

As usual, the back row of Maggie Turner, Gg Albuja, and Alex Homan cleaned up. Adele Akland and Anna Burns both got turns as designated servers with admirable results. 

Freshman Elise Marchais got time outside in the second set, authoring a pair of kills and Ava Perrotti tallied a couple of kills as well. Abby Dennison displayed her usual steadiness throughout. 

Freshman Ella Friedlaender worked the right side during extended parts of the third set. She had a pair of kills as well. Melrose jumped to a 12-3 lead before a 10-0 Spartan rally captured the lead. Coach Scott Celli gave the group a chance to find solutions but ultimately took a timeout. A mini-run followed as Melrose gained control of the set. At times Melrose had a "Kiddie Korps" front line with both freshmen and sophomore Shoemaker at the net. This helps build both confidence and continuity for this season and beyond. 

MVB After-Action Review:

• What went well? Winning while developing young players helps build sustainable competitive advantage. The core four captains all do their jobs. Sabine Wenzel continues to expand her array of scoring shots. The sample size is small but Maggie Shoemaker had a lot of good moments in the middle and both freshmen looked as though there might be "something something" in Ted Lasso speak. 
• What went not so well? The serving needs to be better. Teams with high ambition need to score not surrender points on the serve. 
• What can be done differently next time? Some would argue momentum interruption earlier with a timeout, but I agreed with and understood Coach Celli's approach challenging young players to fight through it in set three. 
• What are the enduring lessons? The coaches learned a few things about both 'stay ready' veterans and young players absorbing MVB culture. Emme Boyer performed well and with versatility playing both at the pins and in the middle.