The Path Is Becoming Clearer

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

 

F Troop would be impossible today, although it was every bit as much a parody of the cavalry as the Hekawi. Studying American history requires reading such as the story of the rise and fall of the Comanche, told in Empire of the Summer Moon. One reviewer described it as a story about technology, the mastery of the horse by the Comanche and the emergence of the Colt 45 as the equalizer. 

The volleyball offseason journey continues.

Summer camp ends

Summer League at Winchester High School continues

Tryouts at MVMMS start 24 August 

Preseason scrimmages:

• At Lynnfield
• Vs North Andover
• Play Day at Winchester High School against top area teams

2026 Varsity Schedule (seven non-league games)

Conversations with the Coaches:

Coach Scott Celli and assistants are excited for the possibilities.

The ML12 will look different this season with the regular season then "play ins" (my term) with the final two games using seedings of 1-4, 5-8, and 9-12 before the playoffs. 

Coach plans to use the preseason scrimmages to allow the players to earn spots in the lineup as an open competition. 

Without Sabine Wenzel (graduated), the team should be far less predictable as the offense is likely to become far more diversified. 

With a "new look" club, strategy may also change. 

The team, although young (returns 13 players with only three seniors), has experience as the sophomores have played together for four years. 

It's unknown how many players will be on the initial varsity roster - tryouts, not an arbitrary number, will define that. 

Ryan Celli, now a teacher at MHS, will have a big role in molding the JVa club. Last year, three players had in-season promotion. 

First year varsity assistant Gia Vlajkovic (a.k.a. The Unicorn yet also reminiscent of "The Password") will be a tremendous asset. Like Ryan, she brings an All-Scholastic resume to the team, having led MVB to sectional titles both as a setter and an outside hitter.