Accentuate the Positive

"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

Imagine a fictitious player. If we started out by saying, "she's inexperienced and doesn't have the ideal size," then right away we're negative.

Key point 1. Reframe. She's young, growing, competitive, with athleticism and instincts. Maybe someday she could become a "Hannah Brickley light." That gets our attention.

Key point 2. Focus on what players can do, what "they bring to the table," instead of what they can't do or haven't done. When we describe a player in terms of a "comparable" (comp), coaches are more likely to react positively. 

Key point 3. Accentuate the positive in branding or in making deals. Mark McCormack shared this in "What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School."

Sometimes we have a comparable within our program. For example, Sabine reminds me somewhat of Kara Charette from Fairhaven. The comparison is imperfect as Charette also attacked from the back row. She had 1269 career kills. But she was an uber dominant front row player and led to an MVB defeat in the semifinals as she was uncontainable.

Stand on the shoulders of giants. MVB has a track record of continuous success dating from the early 2000s. Readers know about the State Champion in 2012, four Finals berths, ten sectional titles, and league titles (including the Freedom Division) stretching since 2007. 

MVB counts 19 players as MAVCA All-Staters, numerous Boston Herald and Boston Globe All-Scholastics, as well as league MVPs and All-Conference players. 

How do successful programs maintain sustained competitive advantage?

• Recruit within Melrose schools. Players see the success and hear about the positive MVB experience. 
• Player development separates the "end state" from the beginning of the season. Without exception, individuals and the team grows over the course of "the sprint" that is volleyball season. 
• Retention helps keep volleyball players playing locally. In the competitive world of high school sports, wolves are at the door. For some sports (especially hockey), strong players are hard to even get enrolled in public school. 
• Provide competitive culture. The best players play. If a freshman is the best option, she plays.
• Find high character athletes. MVBers succeed in professions such as business and education. Victoria Crovo soon completes a veterinary medicine doctorate. Saoirse Connolly is in medical school. 

Lagniappe. Find a few tips you can use - eye contact, better questions, no distractions. 

The Power of active listening pic.twitter.com/tqTBDtqa4u

— Always Keep Learning (@AlwaysKeepL) July 11, 2025