All opinions expressed in the blog are solely my own. The blog is not an official publication of any City of Melrose organization.
Success in the future often follows an understanding of the changng fortunes of the past.
Winning requires not only talented people but superior tactics. Studying a famous battle illuminates how leveraging strengths and exploiting weaknesses can prevail, even with "inferior" forces.
Background:
Athens and the Persians in 490 BC. It is unclear why the Persians desired the expansion. Some hypothesized it was political. In any event, the Persians under Darius had an expansionist mindset.
The Setup:
Athens had smaller but heavily armored forces fighting in "phalanxes." They intentionally weakened the center and fortified the flanks (outsides). Athens attacked early as the aggressors, neutralizing the Persian archer capabilities (perimeter attack) and used classic "flanking" maneuvers, trapping the Persians in the center.
Superior armor and now legendary tactics carried the battle.
- Know your strengths
- Neutralize opponent strengths
- Win the edges
- Take advantage of depth
- Execution defeats talent
The lesson of Marathon is not that stronger edges always win. Victory belongs to teams that understand their strengths and structure the contest around them.
MVB 26 may not possess the interior firepower supplied by Sabine Wenzel in 2025. But volleyball is not won by replicating last year's roster. It is won by maximizing this year's.
Like the Athenians, Melrose must identify its advantages, neutralize opposing strengths, and concentrate force where it can create the greatest impact. If experienced defenders can limit long-range attacks and the pins can provide strength on both offense and defense, MVB may discover what Athens learned 2,500 years ago:
Superior tactics, disciplined execution, and teamwork can overcome apparent disadvantages.
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