"Little Poison"

"To play the best golf you can play, you have to make a healthy, balanced commitment to the game and to improvement." - Dr. Bob Rotella in "Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect"

Excellence crosses domains. Become a fan of “origin stories.” Learn about unconventional success. They illustrate that, “I could do that.”

Paul Runyan was an undersized golf professional who realized that he didn't have the length of others' shots. So he refined his short game to the point that he won tournaments with exceptional wedge play, chipping, and putting. He earned the nickname "Little Poison."

That inspires thoughts about MVB players who weren't big in stature but had exceptional careers. 

1. Hannah Brickley - "the Queen of Melrose Volleyball" and one of the greatest athletes, female or male, in Melrose history. Three time All-State, All-Scholastic in volleyball and basketball, and an elite student. She is in both the Melrose and the Trinity College Athletic Hall of Fame. Maybe she was 5'9". Hannah mastered angles. 

2. Brooke Bell - the most heralded setter in MVB history, State Champion, All-State twice, Boston Herald team of the Decade member. Like Hannah, a definite face on the Mount Rushmore of Melrose volleyball. Not tall but played big. 

3. Jill MacInness - the top Melrose back row player ever as libero. Also earned a State Title, All-State, and had the greatest MVB libero game at Westborough. J-Mac was a gritty competitor who led the team in bruises from making diving plays.  

You don't need elite size to leave the biggest mark on the program. Be "Little Poison." 

Lagniappe. "You have the power to make choices. You have the power to think in ways that will help your game. You have the power to make a commitment and keep it." - "Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect" - Dr. Bob Rotella