Be Easy to Play with and Hard to Play Against

All opinions expressed in the blog are solely my own. The blog is not an official publication of any City of Melrose organization. 

"Be easy to play with and hard to play against." What does that mean for volleyball?

The best teammates make the game lighter for everyone else. They reduce friction.

Easy to Play with (top qualities):

• Prioritize teamwork. The team comes first. Always. 
• Communication (ELO - early, loud, often)
• Unselfish. Take the right swing, not the glamorous one. 
• "On the same page" - Everyone knows their responsibilities
• Trust. You believe your teammate will do her job — and she believes you will do yours.

Hard to Play Against (top qualities):

• Talented (technique)
• High volleyball IQ (strategy)
• Aggressive and relentless (mental toughness) 
• Diversified attack (able to score in multiple ways)
• Attention to detail - Let nothing slide. 

Hard teams apply pressure. They serve tough. They transition fast. They don’t gift points. They expose weak rotations. They don’t blink late.

Identity and Performance Arcs

Excellent teams overflow with "competitive character" (your identity statement) and "extreme competence" (your performance statement). Know who you are and what you do. 

Winning teams have not only high end talent but players able to "maintain" focus and performance under the stress of score, situation, and fatigue. 

Crafting Legacy

Exceptional teams are remembered because winning leaves footprints and individuals become more than the sum of their parts. They have the ability to score points ("put the ball down") and deny points ("keep the ball up"). They have "stars" ("every team has a pecking order") and a supporting cast that plays with Anson Dorrance's competitive fury. 

Stars matter. So do the grinders. Legacy is built in that tension.

There's no right answer* but here's a Q&A: 

The greatest MVB player never to win a sectional? Victoria Crovo

The greatest MVB player never to be named All-State? Jen Cain

The greatest MVB player, awarded and underappreciated? Emma Randolph

Most underrated MVB player? Rachel Johnson

Most underrated MVB defender? (tie) Autumn Whelan, Amanda Commito

For example, if a player was named All-State and All-Scholastic by both Boston newspapers, underrated doesn't apply. Underrated means overlooked relative to impact. 

Lagniappe. "Buy in" to the program. 

BUY IN signs:
🏀Eye contact
🏀Good body language
🏀Talking in practice
🏀Echoing instructions
🏀Quick to praise
🏀Enjoying the process
🏀Coachable
🏀Helping up teammates
🏀First to everything
🏀Last to leave

— Daniel Makepeace (@PureIntensityBB) February 25, 2026