Free Press Features Volleyball in Year in Review

The Melrose Free Press features volleyball in its year in review.

Season Wrap

Click pics to enlarge.

The Lady Raiders, hosted by the Volleyball Boosters, celebrated another championship season last night at Anthony's in Malden. Coach Scott Celli emceed the event.A Melrose resident made key chain trinkets for each of the players.

Team accomplishments
1) Division 2 North Championship
2) Middlesex League Championship
3) 22-2 overall record, tied for Melrose volleyball's second most wins in a season
4) Four consecutive appearances in Division 2 North Championship game
5) 3-0 defeat of six-time consecutive Division 1 North Champion Barnstable

Individual accomplishments
Coaches All-State Division 2 Team: Hannah Brickley, Colleen Hanscom
Boston Herald All-Scholastic: Hannah Brickley
Boston Globe Division 2 Player of the Year: Hannah Brickley
Middlesex League Player of the Year: Hannah Brickley
Division 2 Coach of the Year: Scott Celli

Middlesex League All-Stars
All-League Team
Hannah Brickley
Laura Irwin
Jess Farr
Colleen Hanscom

Second Team (Middlesex League)
Alex Harlow
Athena Ziavras

Special Team Awards
Top Server: Colleen Hanscom
Unsung Hero: Siena Mamayek
Top Defender: Jess Farr
Most Improved: Alyssa DiRaffaele
MVP: Hannah Brickley
Coach's Award: Hannah Brickley

Melrose Captains Laura Irwin, Colleen Hanscom, and Hannah Brickley

As a close observer of Melrose volleyball for the past eight seasons, I can say with some authority that this was one of Melrose's best teams, with three players among the all-time elite players in school history. Jess Farr was as good as any Melrose libero, a tall order when one considers the excellence of the Dillon sisters. Colleen Hanscom not only holds the assist records for setters, but also had remarkable defensive and offensive versatility using her height and athleticism. Hannah Brickley set the standard for Melrose volleyball with hitting records (including from the back row), passing, digging, and blocking. With three All-Scholastic and All-State team recognitions, she will be remembered as the top player in school history.

I'll proudly wear my Melrose volleyball hat, which the team presented to a number of supporters of Lady Raider volleyball.

First Look: Volleyball Banquet

The Melrose Lady Raiders held their annual break up dinner tonight. It's late, but I'll review a few highlights.

• Coach Scott Celli celebrated the accomplishments, both team and individual from the 2009 season, including Melrose's fourth D2 North Championship, and big wins over Barnstable, Canton, and Bishop Feehan.
• Coach Celli thanked Coach Wall for his many contributions.
• Players received a variety of certificates, varsity letters, bars and stars (Captains), and other recognition.
  
• Jeff Mate' (VideoJam Productions) filmed and produced a wonderful highlight video of the 2009 season.
  
• The team presented some terrific mementos, especially some great Melrose Volleyball ball caps.
• Hannah Brickley was recognized as MVP, and Brickley and setter Colleen Hanscom both received MGVCA plaques as All-State players.
• Athena Ziavras, Jill Slabacheski, and Alyssa DiRaffaele were voted captains for 2010.

A terrific night for a great group of players, coaches, and the entire Melrose Volleyball family.

Final Maxpreps Massachusetts Rankings

Final Maxpreps.com Massachusetts rankings.

Special Recognition: Now and Then

Click media to play/enlarge.

This season's team created memories and landmark accomplishments. In addition to a Division 2 North Championship brought back to Melrose...the players got well-deserved special recognition.

Middlesex League All-Stars
All-League Team
Hannah Brickley (League MVP)
Laura Irwin
Jess Farr
Colleen Hanscom

Second Team (Middlesex League)
Alex Harlow
Athena Ziavras

MGVCA Division 2 All-State Team
Hannah Brickley (three time selection)
Colleen Hanscom (first time selection and fourth Melrose player so honored)

Boston Globe All-Scholastics
Hannah Brickley (Division 2 Player of the Year)

One individual who deserves a lot of credit (and asks for none), is assistant coach Steve Wall. He shares in the success of Coach Celli (Division 2 Coach of the Year) along with another fixture of Melrose volleyball, his wife Heidi.

Several fans asked me if I had any old video from the 2005 season...and I was able to retrieve part of the Melrose comeback against Medfield in the state championship game. Medfield captured its fourth state championship in five years yesterday, 3-0 over Bourne.




You might notice several features on this video:

• the powerful hitting and approach of Medfield's Molly Barrett
• the spectacular point at 23-21 where Jen Cohane got a concussion as she hit the floor
• the remarkable hand-eye coordination of setter Amanda Hallett...how she picks the ball off the net
• the comeback from 23-16 was one of the great sequences of Melrose volleyball, made possible only because the coaches believed in the team
  

The Coach

According to the Melrose High School website, Coach Scott Celli has earned Division 2 Coach of the Year status.

Successful coaching blends talent evaluation, teaching, psychology, communication, and politics as the coach serves many constituencies. And guaranteed, not all of those partners will embrace the evaluation and implementation of coaching strategy.

These are just some of Scott's accomplishments during the past seven years:

• Averaging over 21 wins/season (20 game regular game season)
• Four Division II North Championships (seven consecutive D2 North final berths)
  
• One State Championship appearance
• MIAA Team sportsmanship award
• Six Middlesex League Titles/co-titles
• Player development (one D2 Player of the Year, three All-State players, four All-Scholastic players, three North Shore League players of the year, numerous Middlesex League All-Stars)
• Numerous players with high academic achievement, both present and past teams
• High level of community interest
  
• Scandal-free program

All this has occurred with an enrollment in the bottom half of the Middlesex League, generally undersized players relative to the competition, no ability to recruit players from outside the community, and no ability to coach outside the regular season.

This doesn't mean that everyone's happy 24/7, because Scott's commitment to winning sometimes steps on the toes of the seniority in a volleyball meritocracy. Consensus development on strategy and deployment of personnel will never achieve universality.

As we review this season, several features stand out:

1. The team recaptured the Division 2 North title for the first time in four years
2. The team achieved success despite playing the 'best' non-league schedule in its history, including Central Catholic, Barnstable, Bishop Feehan, and Canton.
   
3. Clear evidence of player improvement from the prior year at all grade levels, including the best Melrose Junior Varsity team
   
4. Increasing enthusiasm and attendance at matches
5. Expanded media coverage by MMTV
   
6. Development and strengthening of new rivalries
7. The "win today, win tomorrow" program returns six underclassmen including three sophomores and two freshmen who will be able to contribute immediately
8. First year with a freshman team
   

Highest regards to everyone in the community working to create a better experience for our young people.

Congratulations

From the Melrose High School Website:

Important Information

Congratulations are extended to:

• Division 2 Volleyball Player of the Year Senior Hannah Brickley
  

• Division 2 Coach of the Year, Mr. Scott Celli.

Melrose Volleyball celebrates another successful campaign.

Around the Web

Metro West with a recap.

The Free Press with lots of information.

Great team photo and story from the Free Press.

Maxpreps.com latest standings.
_____________________________________________________

Massachusetts assist leaders...Colleen Hanscom at number five.
__________________________________________________________Massachusetts kills leaders, Hannah Brickley in the top ten.

Medfield Overwhelms Snake-Bitten Melrose, 3-0

Melrose returned to the semifinal round for the first time since 2005, and the Lady Raiders had hopes of returning to the state championship Saturday. But Medfield doused those dreams, with suffocating defense and athletic offense, downing Melrose 26-24, 25-16, and 25-12.

The Lady Raiders were gallant in defeat, one hastened by a critical ankle injury to outside hitter Laura Irwin with the team trailing 6-2 in the second set.

Game one challenged my contention about finding a game as close as Saturday's against North Reading. After Medfield captured the first pair of points, the game was tied at 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, and 24...seventeen ties. With Medfield up 25-24, they got a terrific serve down the strong side on the line to garner the win.

Melrose got yeoman work from Hannah Brickley, with eight kills among Melrose's fourteen, and avoided any service errors. Coach Scott Celli had Annemarie Wiesen in early to get more blocking, and senior middle hitter Siena Mamayek also had a big first game with a pair of kills and some good deflections at the net.

In the second set, there were yet more ties at 1 and 2, before Medfield opened up a 6-2 lead, with Laura accidentally stepping on a teammate's foot during a defensive scramble at the net. Melrose hung in to recover at 8-5, but Medfield gradually pulled away, with stout defense led by Natalie Dickinson and Georgia Naumann at the net, and all-state libero Ally Le-Bruno in back. While Melrose struggled to generate offense, Dickinson, Naumann, and Kathleen Krah and Morganne Gagne slammed away from all angles. Siena had another big game two, with five kills, which I suspect to be her career high for a game. From 15-8, Melrose could never get closer than seven points.

Melrose never quit, coming in game three with some more life, including an early Jill Slabachesky kill. Melrose led 5-3 and 6-4 but at seven all Medfield went on a five point run en route to a 12-1 streak that put Melrose away. Melrose made their only two service errors of the match during the third game, but could muster only four kills for the final set of the season. Coach Scott Celli got freshmen Amanda Commito and Brooke Bell in for the final points of the game, and both acquitted themselves well.

Game analysis: Melrose competed at an exceptional level in set one, but couldn't close out well-balanced Medfield. Hannah had a big opening stanza. Colleen Hanscom played exceptional volleyball as well, especially considering that she was playing with illness. After the tough opening game loss, the last thing Melrose needed was deflation, but Laura's ankle injury took the starch out of Melrose, especially under the relentless pressure provided by Naumann and Dickinson. Melrose didn't give the game away, as Medfield's skill, size, and athleticism showed why they will claim their fourth state title in five years Saturday. They were deserving victors with spectacular defense and remarkable offensive consistency.

Melrose's seniors have much to be proud of, including four consecutive appearances in the Division 2 North championship, a defeat of perennial powerhouse Barnstable, and stiff opposition provided to Division I power Central Catholic. The ladies competed with intensity, grace, and class, and individually numerous players like Hannah, Colleen, and Jess were at or near the top of any ever to play their positions at Melrose. The team won 63 games over the past three seasons, eclipsed only by the 2003-5 teams that won 66.

Hannah Brickley will be the only Lady Raider ever to be named all-state three times and she and Colleen hold the individual career kills and assist records.

Congratulations to the team for bringing success and excitement to the community.

One

State Semifinal Tonight at Newton South, 7 P.M.



It's not about making fifty plays; you just have to make one more: one serve, one spike, one block, one dig, one deflection, one pass. You never know when that play will happen.

Central Comes 'Home' to Melrose, Slams Quincy 3-0

Melrose High hosted a Division I state semifinal match, and Central Catholic, an annual Lady Raider opponent, put it on the Quincy Presidents, 25-20, 25-15, and 25-20. Central dominated the spunky Presidents, who brought a boatload of enthusiasm, but lacked the power and skill of the undefeated North champion.

Central's powerful offense is built around the brilliant setting of Carolyn Eddy, who also has a variety of jump serves and devastating back row hitting. Add in the triple threat offense of twin towers Katie Zenevitch and Kendall Derosiers, and outside energy of Maggie Hillman and it's easy to see why Central has found limited opposition on their way to the state finals Saturday at Algonquin High School.

The first set featured a plethora of Zenevitch kills, the second demonstrated the overall talent of Central, and Eddy took over the final sets with her serves and overheads after Quincy took their only lead of the evening early 5-1.

Although Eddy's dominance makes Central who they are, Zenevitch has upped her overall game to include not only consistent hitting and blocking, but even added a back row smash for a point. Coach Gannon Paris has some big shoes to fill next season.

Lady Raider Notes: The Melrose team was on hand to assist during the event and the players looked relaxed and confident heading into tomorrow's showdown with defending champion Medfield. Word has it that the Lady Raiders got a plug last evening during the Bruins' game from a friend of the Melrose family, Andy Brickley. Coach Scott Celli noted that he has received a number of emails wishing the team good fortune tomorrow.

Melrose faces Medfield at Newton South at 7 p.m.

Drink up the experience and make some memories of a lifetime tomorrow.

Latest Maxpreps Rankings

Click charts to enlarge.

"Tradition never graduates." That applies for the teams enjoying perennial success in sports including Melrose's upcoming opponents. The excitement in the eyes of the younger girls watching yesterday's action was palpable. And nothing great is achieved without enthusiasm.

Scott Celli's teams have enjoyed an overall winning percentage approaching 90 percent.

Maxpreps.com has its latest rankings out as we head into the final week of the season. Melrose is tied for fifth with Westborough.

Melrose - North Reading D2 North Highlights: Mate' Magic

Jeff Mate' has done a truly magnificent job photographing, editing, and producing Melrose volleyball games this season. Here he's made an incredible turnaround of Melrose highlights from yesterday's action. Bravo Zulu.

Now if we can add music instead of the annoying commentary...

Win Every Day

Understand this and you win every day.

People ask me 'why?'. Because people always treated my children great. How can I not do it?

Next Up: Medfield

Some video from the web:

It's no secret what Medfield likes to do and what Melrose has to stop.


Medfield at Barnstable
_______________

Medfield vs Canton
_______________

Coming Events

Melrose hosts the Division I State Semifinal with number one ranked Central Catholic squaring off Tuesday night at 7 p.m. against Quincy. Central has a pair of 6'2" hitters in BC bound Katie Zenevich and Kendall Desrosiers, and uber-setter Carolyn Eddy. This should be another opportunity for local v-ball fans to see terrific competition and show why Melrose deserves to be a host site.

Melrose goes in as the underdog Wednesday versus Medfield in one state semifinal, as Medfield has captured three of the past four Division 2 state championships. Medfield has always had terrific defense and this season is no exception.

For the most part, the volleyball elite have continued to show up in the advanced rounds...

Free Press Summary with Great Photos

The Melrose Free Press represents with an article and photos.

Boston Herald Wrap

Boston Herald reports on the Melrose versus North Reading volleyball title game.

Boston Globe Video

Melrose Outlasts North Reading, Advances 3-2

Today's game was Frazier-Ali, the Patriots-Rams in the Super Bowl, and "Havlicek stole the ball" combined into a phenomenal volleyball game.

Melrose, appearing in the last seven Division 2 North championship games, came in having won the first three and lost the latter three. Loyal Melrose and North Reading fans packed Andover's Dunn Gymnasium expecting a great match, but probably not a five set battle royal lasting over two hours. The Lady Raiders literally outlasted the Hornets 26-24, 20-25, 19-25, 25-22, and 16-14. The victory propels Melrose into the State Semifinals Wednesday at 7 p.m. against the Medfield Warriors.

Heroes were many, expected and not. Overall, Melrose did not have its 'A' game, partially forced into uncharacteristic errors by North Reading's outstanding middle hitter, junior Kristen Morrison, and partly by the terrific offensive and defensive balance exhibited by North Reading. Melrose also struggled at times in certain rotations, particularly when NR senior Jessica Crugnale served.

Deserving special commendation today were Colleen Hanscom, scampering around chasing serve-receive passes and digs, and Alyssa DiRaffaele, the unsung hero defensively and serving flawless at many of the key junctures of the match. She seemed to have a calmness about her play that exceeded her sophomore experience.

Set one was back and forth with both teams counterpunching. North Reading fought to a 12-7 and 17-11 advantage before Melrose rallied with seven consecutive points with Laura Irwin serving. The game featured ties at 17, 18, 20, 21, 23, and 24 foreshadowing the future action. An Athena Ziavras ace closed out the game. Laura had a big game with four thundering kils, equaling Hannah Brickley's total. Melrose had four aces and eleven kills for the game.

North Reading had the edge in game two, rallying from 4-1 and 6-3 deficits to tie the game at 9. Once again, the teams traded leads with scoring even at 8, 9, 11, 12, and 13 before Morrison took over the game with a series of kills. Melrose got within 17-16, but NR ran off an 8-4 edge to earn the win. Melrose could only muster seven kills, with a pair apiece from Hannah and Siena Mamayek, blocking effectively at the net, and three from Laura.

North Reading started fast in set three with a quick 3-0 lead, before Melrose struck back to go up 6-5. Melrose continue to gain the edge behind three quick Brickley kills, but NR ran off a 10 point spree to put the game away. Melrose had an atypical spell of both defensive errors and passive offense, and North Reading simply overwhelmed Melrose behind the hitting of Morrison and Bailey Eis.

Several observers commented that NR appeared to tire slightly in the fourth game with Melrose racing out to 5-3 and 9-4 leads. Melrose appeared to have the game under control 19-11, but a remarkable NR comeback, again spurred by Morrison, Nicole Cecchini and Eis gave the Hornets a 21-20 advantage. Colleen Hanscom made a couple of incredible defensive plays near the net, including deflecting an overpass for a kill to tie and possibly save the season at 21. Melrose closed out the victory on a North Reading error.

The fifth game reflected the incredible balance between the teams. Hannah Brickley was immense to open the game with a quick kill to the corner and a pair of blocks/kills, including one of the lanky Morrison. The fifth set was tied at 1, 3, 4 and I literally wished for a tape crawling service ace from Hannah, that got delivered to make the lead 7-4. But the Hornets swarmed and rallied, with ties at 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 (ten ties in the game) before a pair of attack errors by North Reading sailed long and Melrose took the victory.

And the faces and voices of victory expressed as much relief that it was over as joy in having achieved one of the team's goals.
Lady Raider Notes: Faces in the crowd included Jack and Erin Hudd, the latter a standout on Melrose's first D2 North Champion and former UMass-Lowell Riverhawk. The victory gave this group of seniors their first D2 North title after three years of frustration as runnerups.Congratulations to the team, coaching staff, parents and families and fans, as well to a gallant North Reading team that played exceptional volleyball. Were I a NR fan, I would not be equally pleased but equally proud of my team.