Three-quarter Pole and Duxbury Stats

Melrose completes the 75 percent mark of the regular season with a quality road win at Duxbury.

Record 

Total  12-3

ML12  7-3

Ranking

Only the MIAA power rankings matter for seedings, matchups, and sites. It's unlikely that MVB can move into the three slot and seems likely to fit into Division 2 from four to six. 

Remaining Schedule

This week Melrose hosts a pair of solid clubs, Wakefield and Marblehead. The focus shifts to Wakefield which knows Melrose well. 

Trending

The operative word for MVB is distribution. They have distributed leadership with strong coaching and captains. They have distributed scoring (three double digit kill attackers today), service points, receives and digs, and a top three Melrose All-time setter (my opinion). I thought Sadie Smith partly willed the team to win today. 

Perspective

A viable argument says that MVB 26 is the polar opposite of MVB 25. The former gets scoring from the pins, the middle, and even the pipe. Serving is better, pin blocking is better, and defense is more experienced. MVB 25 relied on heliocentric gravity from Sabine Wenzel who established the single-season kills record, surrounded by a talented but inexperienced cast.

Health

Bumps and bruises accumulate over the season. Losing Ella Friedlaender to injury hurt. Everyone hopes her recovery postop goes as quickly and smoothly as possible. 

Others have recovered; another theme is "no excuses." 

Summary

Skill, luck, and health all compound to create opportunity. The "Anson Dorrance" term for the final stretch - continual ascension.