All opinions expressed in the blog are solely my own. Mistakes and errors are mine. The blog is not an official publication of any Melrose institution.
*Adapted from a basketball blog post of mine
Principles and analogies cross sports domains. A podcast by Alex Speier about the Red Sox minor league development system raised points worth considering for volleyball programs.
Strengths and Deficiencies
Baseball systems may lean into strengths or deficiencies such as hitting (scoring) or pitching (run prevention). Similarly, in volleyball, teams may overemphasize offense or defense and become "unbalanced." Unless a player has extreme talent or plays a specialty position (e.g. libero), she cannot compensate for lack of all-around skills (attack, block).
Recently, NCAA hoop coaches Danny Hurley and Geno Auriemma acknowledged that they recruit offensive players, expecting that they can train them to play adequate or better defense. "Heart and hustle" by themselves will not beat talent and experience.
Player Development
In an era where talent acquisition (free agency, trades) or retention (signing) has become expensive, there's value to be had by player development. In baseball, the Red Sox have found prototypes (e.g. size, extension) and added velocity, bad speed, and/or launch angle to raise player performance. In volleyball, players have a myriad of skills to develop, ranging from attack/block, serve/receive, and pass/set.
Development varies. For example, on the Celtics, Neemy Queta's development has transcended most expert's expectations.
Another analogy fits primary and secondary skills. A pitcher might have an electric fastball but lack pitch shape or command needed. Similarly, in volleyball, players need a "GO TO" and "COUNTER" scoring approach. Craft and versatility matter. All big hitters are not "scorers."
Tools versus Performance
Size and athleticism may not immediately (or ever) transfer to effectiveness, depending on a player's commitment, aptitude, and improvement arc. A player like Derrick White was lightly recruited, and started on a room-and-board stipend at D2 Colorado-Colorado Springs. He matured into a D1 player at Colorado, was a late first round choice by the Spurs, and emerged as an NBA and Olympic Champion. He leads NBA players in plus-minus since December.
White was not the "toolsiest" player in the Association, but has become a leading contributor if not recognized as an All-Star.
Kayla Wyland was the best "freshman team to varsity starter" Melrose has developed. Coach Scott Celli has a keen eye for identifying players likely to make the leap from high potential to high performance.
Measurables
Some classify potential by having a minimum two out of three of size, athleticism, and skill. In "The Undoing Project" by Michael Lewis, he shares that the predictables for NBA draft success are 1) performance in college, 2) elite program, and 3) age at time of the draft (younger is better). Cooper Flagg, recently turned 19 emerging Mavericks superstar, represents an obvious example.
Sabine Wenzel was more than a player with height. She had solid athleticism with a spike touch exceeding ten feet and excellent block timing to augment her physical makeup.
Floors and Ceilings
Player potential can fall under a variety of "rubrics" including "floors and ceilings." Ideally a player has both a high floor and high ceiling. Assessing youth players, I used an analogy of lottery pick, first rounder, second rounder, and 'street free agent'.
It's irrational to expect to win big without occasional lottery picks (potential college scholarship players) and lots of first rounders. Some parents think their child is in the former categories. Time establishes floors and ceilings. I contend that many players can rise one category but few rise two.
Player development plus exceptional player commitment are essential for the players who achieve "escape velocity" to rise even one category.
These are 'crude' and 'qualitative' categories but may help coaches and fans fashion clarity in player evaluation.
Lagniappe. The older I got, the less I yelled. If yelling were the mark of great coaches, they'd all scream. Few exceptional coaches do.
"I never yelled at my players much.
— Coach Mac 🏀 (@BballCoachMac) February 4, 2026
That would have been artificial stimulation, which doesn’t last very long.
I think it’s like love and passion.
Passion won’t last as long as love.
When you are dependent on passion, you need more and more of it to make it work.
It’s the…
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