Monday, November 11, 2024

Ten Lessons

Every season offers lessons. These ten got reinforced:

1) Success intersects skill, health, and luck. This isn't the first season that health issues occurred. Two straight years, over ten seasons ago, "buzzard luck" hit Laura Irwin who suffered season-ending ankle sprains. 

2) Non-negotiable elements for winning include winning the serve-serve receive battle. In the Melrose losses, the differential proved critical. 

3) Service aces require a high degree of skill development. This piece reviewed technique from some of the best. 

4) Great is the enemy of good. Trying to be too 'fine' with passes can result in overpasses or more commonly passes "tight" to the net that 'trap' the setter. 

5) Out of the blocks. There's no way to guarantee quick starts. One question is whether there is any way to avoid slow starts. 

6) Who's the new voice? Maggie Turner had an excellent year as both libero and vocal leader. Talk energizes, talk intimidates. 

7) Block party. The block pair of Sabine and Leah won't be easily replaced. It's easy to overlook Leah's height and blocking impact. 

8) Opposite attraction. Containing the star outside hitter requires anticipation (reading), lateral quickness from the middle, and especially great timing and technique from the right side. 

9) Job seeking? Deep playoff runs require three dynamic hitters, the power that can generate 10 plus kills/match each from three players. 

10)Develop athletic explosiveness. Vertical jump, lateral quickness, and hitting power require "unrequired work." The elite players in MVB history trained hard. 


"Champions do extra." 

Lagniappe. Athleticism builds confidence and resilience. 

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