Seniors Honored, Melrose 3 Watertown 0

Melrose held its traditional Senior Night, honoring seniors on their final regular season home game with a 3-0 win over Watertown 25-11, 25-4, and 25-7.

In a well-decorated Middle School Gymnasium, Melrose presented the visiting seniors with a flower, and then each Melrose senior was presented with their parents, and an underclassman discussed what that senior meant to them. Particularly touching was sophomore Maave Moriarty's comment about her sister, being not only her teammate, but her best friend.

The seniors honored included Jill Slabacheski, Alyssa DiRaffaele, Brittany Adelman, Rachel Wolley, and Maggie Moriarty.

Most of the presenters shed a few tears during their readings. How many? I'm still shocked that the custodial staff didn't have to mop the floor.

The match itself was largely an afterthought, as two teams going in opposite directions faced off, Melrose with one defeat and the visitors with a lone win. Coach Celli started all of the seniors, most of whom played the lion's share of the game. Also, he substituted each out during the late stages of the third game, so each got a departing ovation.

Photojournalist extraordinaire sent over some shots today, and they are presented without captions. Occasionally viewers must click the picture to see the entire frame.

The victory puts Melrose (18-1) within two wins of another twenty win season and the team travels to Lincoln-Sudbury Tuesday for a key matchup with a Division I volleyball power and a great tuneup for the post-season.

Rankings Update

Melrose dropped seven spots in the latest maxpreps.com rankings. The Lady Raiders sole loss and overall low strength of schedule probably accounted for this.

Nonetheless, the team has a great opportunity to go deep into the postseason this year.

Within Division 2 North, the playoff picture is a lot more complicated. Bishop Fenwick is the highest ranked team (21 within the Division), but Greater Lawrence is undefeated and will get a top seed. Winchester, Burlington, North Reading, and Stoneham are the highest ranked other north teams within the top 50. Boston English is also undefeated, and their low strength of schedule won't impact their playoff seeding within the MIAA tournament.

Melrose is likely to face (statistically) either North Reading, Fenwick, or one of their Middlesex League rivals in a quarterfinal matchup.

Just a reminder, that it's Senior Night this evening, the final regular season appearance at home for the five graduating Lady Raiders.

Reaching for Heaven

It has been said that hitting a round ball with a round bat is the hardest task in sports. That's not even in the ballpark.

Who has the hardest task in sports? Players who sacrifice every day, coming to practice, working hard, maintaining a positive attitude, encouraging their teammates...unselfish, anonymous, uncelebrated...a player might outwork and out-hustle another, but not achieve the same level of success because of the vicissitudes of sport.

The differences among players- size, strength, quickness, athleticism, skill, and decision-making - can be either subtle or transitory. Regardless, the unheralded teammate, especially on talented teams deserves special mention.

The 2011 edition of Melrose volleyball has fifteen players, all of whom would start on many of the teams in the Middlesex League. The junior varsity has players who could start on some ML varsity teams now. But no matter what the talent level the coaches can only put six players on the court at a time.

The current team has three or four players who (at the end of their high school careers) will ultimately be recognized as among the top dozen players Melrose has had during the past decade. For that reason, finding a way to get on the court becomes all that more difficult.

So as Senior Night approaches, celebrate all the players, but especially the seniors who have given so much to the program.

Senior Night Up Next

Melrose (17-1) hosts Watertown tomorrow night at the Middle School Gymnasium. Before the game, the coaching staff and fans recognize the contributions of the Class of 2012 to Melrose volleyball.

The Class of 2012 has a shot at being the second to have a 'three-peat' of Division 2 North championships and the first to have four consecutive twenty win seasons. Seniors to be recognized tomorrow include:

• Alyssa DiRaffaele (tri-captain)
• Jill Slabacheski (tri-captain)
• Brittany Adelman
• Maggie Moriarty
• Rachael Wolley

The JV Game starts at 5 PM with the Varsity game to follow. 

You Have the Power

Cross post from Melrosegirlsbasketball.com. You determine your destiny, with the incorporation of positive thoughts and beliefs into your self-image.

Back on Track, Melrose 3 Stoneham 0

A blog for fans of Melrose volleyball. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

Melrose traveled to Stoneham and left with a solid,  aggressively-played win 25-14, 25-18, and 25-22.

The Lady Raiders had choices after the defeat Monday, feel sorry for themselves or come out and play aggressive, attacking volleyball in preparation for moving forward. They came out with great energy and advanced to 17-1.

Stoneham came in at 10-6 and in the top 20 of the Boston Globe poll. Melrose came out of the gate fast with an Alyssa DiRaffaele ace, and quickly led 4-1. Stoneham never held the lead in set one, although they got within one at 9-8. From there, Melrose had a 15-3 run to put the Spartans behind the 8 ball. Coach Scott Celli moved Sydney Doherty to opposite and she attacked forcefully from the outset and as a group, the servers came out with more heat.

Melrose had thirteen kills in the first frame, led by Sarah McGowan with five, Jen Cain with four, and Rachel Johnson with three.

The second set again saw a quick Lady Raider lead at 5-1, before the Spartans rallied to tie at 6. From there, Melrose led 8-6, and Stoneham was never able to get the equalizer, moving to within 15-12, only to see Melrose run them down with a 10-6 finish.

The Lady Raiders drilled in another dozen kills, including four for Sarah, three for Jill Slabacheski, and a pair apiece for Brooke Bell and Jen.

Good teams never go away easily, and Stoneham hung in there during set three. Stoneham had early leads at 3-1 and 8-5, but Melrose chipped away to go up 10-9, only to see the Spartans strike back to 12-10. But Melrose had a seven point run to go up 17-12 with a DiRaffaele service run, and fought off Stoneham challenges at 18-16 and 24-22, with a Doherty smash falling in for the win.

Melrose had fifteen kills in set three, with Sarah adding seven and Sydney, Jen, and Brooke a pair apiece.

Game Analysis: Coach Scott Celli has always striven to produce championship quality volleyball teams combining talented players with good process. Ultimately, a coach's choices come down to personnel, strategy, and motivational changes.

In the wake of a tough loss to Westborough, the analysis provoked a need for increased offense, the ability to play aggressive, attacking volleyball from more angles. The team played more aggressively today, with more challenging serves, more willingness to attack consistently, and to attack from more angles. The result was a convincing win against a solid opponent.

Forward Looking

Why do we enjoy high school sports so much? Yesterday's defeat brought forth sorrowful tears, but the salient point is how deeply the players care. A couple of hour effort on the court synthesizes years of preparation, practice, training, and time.

Sports allows the participants to experience special, priceless feelings. Players, fans, and communities become part of something greater than their 'ordinary' lives.

Within the biology of life, we often focus on both growth and repair. A team behaves as a living organism, with need for differing inputs, which might include more discipline, more work, more rest, a day off, team building activities like bowling or a pizza party, or nothing new at all. Coaches know what their team needs and when.

Tomorrow, the Lady Raiders get back on the court at 4:00 p.m. at nearby Stoneham, with the best restorative treatment friendly competition.

Brooke Bell moves up to three in total assists in Massachusetts. Click table to enlarge.
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Sarah McGowan eclipses 200 kills this season. Rachel Johnson now is 41st in total kills among submitted statistics.

Life is about how you respond to adversity.

Still a Ways to Go

Photojournalist Don Norris shares images from yesterday's epic volleyball contest with the Westborough Rangers. Local fans saw the best volleyball of the season with intensity, athleticism, skill, and emotion.

Sometimes you have to click on the photo to get the full screen shot.

Jason Selk helps unlock the power within us. We become what we believe. 

Broken Dreams, Westborough 3 Melrose 2

As I walk this land of broken dreams,
I have visions of many things.
Love's happiness is just an illusion,
Filled with sadness and confusion.


Melrose volleyball has worked tirelessly to win the LAST game of the season, and each game along the way teaches invaluable lessons. Melrose hosted the Westborough Rangers, whose talent and toughness carried them to a 3-2 victory at the Middle School, in the best home volleyball of the season. The result was the end of the undefeated season, and refocusing on the end season goals.

Melrose came out with high energy and generally controlled the first set, leading 6-2, 9-4, 13-8, and 20-14, but Westborough never quit before yielding 25-22. Five service errors by the Rangers helped Melrose. Melrose distributed the kills, with four for Jill Slabacheski and Sarah McGowan, and a pair apiece for Jen Cain, Rachel Johnson, and Kayla Wyland.

Westborough continued to struggle with service in set two, but their blocking improved led by Krystle Armand and Samantha Kehoe. Numerous ties evolved, including deadlocks at 1, 4, 5, 5, 16, 18, 19, and 20 before a closing Ranger kick carried the day. Melrose struggled to generate offensive opportunities, but Sarah and Rachel each came through with four kills.

The third set saw another see-saw battle, with ties at 1, 2, 3, 4 before Melrose stretched the lead to 14-9. But a Ranger stampede got the lead to 17-15 with an 8-1 run, led by Armand and outside hitter Annika Olson. But Melrose responded and the Lady Raiders came back to tie the set at 21 and 22, before a finishing flurry from Jen Cain and Sarah secured the set. Sarah had another five kills and Jen four.

Westborough took over the match in the fourth set, with Armand and Olson dominating offensively. Melrose went up 3-2, but the Central power ran off big runs to go up 7-3, 10-4, and 18-6 as Melrose was reeling under the attack. Melrose counterattacked to 18-10, but Westy still finished 7-2 to capture the set 25-13. Melrose could only muster seven kills in the frame, three for Sarah and two apiece for Brooke and Rachel.

Melrose teams have responded to adversity before. In 2005 at Stoneham in the quarterfinals, Central Catholic crushed Melrose 25-12 in set four, only to see Melrose come back in set five to win en route to a state championship berth.

But it was not to be tonight, even in a closely contested fifth set. Ties occurred at 2, 3, 6, and 7, but the Rangers rallied to go up 11-7, before Melrose inched back to 11-9 led by Rachel Johnson. But Melrose could not get closer than three and the Rangers took the match 15-11. Jen Cain had three kills, Sarah and Rachel two and Kayla with a stylish crosscourt winner to make it 13-10.

Game Analysis: As advertised, Westborough brought a tall and athletic team and their blocking strength disrupted Melrose's attack. Also, Melrose struggled with serve-receive at times sending the Rangers too many opportunities via free balls.

I thought Alyssa DiRaffaele played an excellent game at libero, and that Rachel Johnson also played exceptional volleyball overall. Jen Cain had her best offensive game. The Westborough defense took away the Melrose short game after the first set, and Melrose couldn't come up with enough answers for the Westborough blockers.

Melrose will benefit a lot from the experience of this match. "Experience is the best teacher, but sometimes the tuition is high." History tells us that only once (2005) has Melrose had an undefeated regular season and won the D2 North Championship. For the Lady Raiders to keep climbing the mountain, they must continue to play the toughest non-league schedule possible.

Globe Rankings

The Boston Globe volleyball rankings came out today. For whatever flaws the Maxpreps.com rankings have, at least they have some statistical basis.

Last week saw some fascinating developments:

• Medfield lost to Medway (and faces Frontier this week)
• Reading traveled to Longmeadow and the "left coast" leader showed they were a force, beating the Rockets 3-1
• North Reading, which was off to a slow start, beat Bishop Fenwick 3-2. Maybe Fenwick was beaten up, coming off the Melrose loss, but the Hornets have won 8 of their last 11 and deserve some attention. 
• Marlborough continues to roll, having lost only one set all season. They could be the Central favorite as of now. 
• Fairhaven has arguably the top hitter in the state in Kara Charette, whom Melrose battled last year. 

Tomorrow's Westborough match is the best road competition coming into the Middle School Gymnasium this season, and local volleyball fans should be treated to the equivalent of a late-round playoff game. Varsity games follow the JV, and usually tip off somewhere between 5 and 5:30. Come and support the Lady Raiders. Expect a great match.

Opportunity Knocks

Melrose hosts Westborough tomorrow in an inter-sectional Division 2 game. Historically, the Central division has been the strongest, with a number of talented teams, and this year is no exception. The Central includes Marlborough, Medfield, Westborough, Hopkinton, Medway, and Milford, which means that quarterfinal games are often as competitive as the championship game in other sections.

Yesterday, Reading traveled to Longmeadow and the hosts prevailed, 3-1. Longmeadow is favored to come out of the West regional as the state semifinal representative.

Players look at competitive situations in different ways. Some look at them as opportunities to demonstrate the quality of their program and preparation, others represent the excitement, while some 'worry'. The rich sports psychology literature gives us guidelines in preparation, including Jason Selk's approach which offers the personal highlight reel. This is just part of a more comprehensive approach to enhancing performance. Developing a powerful mental approach to the game is proven to improve performance. For example, your internal dialogue, what you tell yourself about yourself, dramatically impacts your ability.

The best way to view better competition is to enjoy the process, the preparation and the event itself, and embrace the opportunity to compete, showing confidence, which evolves from DEMONSTRATION OF PROVEN SKILL.

Won and Found

A trip to the web finds a Reading video of the early contest at Hawkes Fieldhouse.

Player of the Week: No Sophomore Slump

Coach Celli nominates his player of the week at Maxpreps.com. This week's nominee is sophomore defender Jill MacInnes, who has excelled in the back row, using her quickness and passing skills for both critical digs (set three against Central Catholic comes to mind) and excellent passing to setter Brooke Bell. J-Mac has also attempted 206 serves and delivered 200 successfully, more than 97 percent.


Melrose has almost always had sophomore major contributors on its teams, such as Karen and Paula Sen in 2003, Laura Dillon in 2004, Gina Ciccone in 2005, Hannah Brickley, Laura Irwin, and Colleen Hanscom in 2007, Athena Ziavras in 2008, Jill Slabacheski and Alyssa DiRaffaele in 2009, and 'the Gang of Seven" last season. Part of having continuity is the constant infusion of young talent, and that's no accident, but a system.

Norris Trophy Shots

Don Norris, our roving photojournalist, always captures the atmosphere at the venue. I'm trying to lighten up on the captions, unless the spirit moves me.

 Instant Classic

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Milestone Friday: Melrose 3 Wilmington 0

Melrose found more than one way to skin a cat today, with a straight set victory over the Wilmington Wildcats at the Middle School Gymnasium.

The match produced several milestones including the 1000th assist for junior setter Brooke Bell and the entire match with no service errors, a feat that no other Melrose team accomplished in the past ten years.

Melrose played consistently throughout, with improved attack efficiency from the outside, with the 'strong' side output of Jill Slabacheski, Jen Cain, Brittany Adelman, and Sydney Doherty.

The first set saw Melrose lead early, 3-1, with the Lady Raiders gradually pulling away with fifteen kills producing leads of 8-3, 13-5, and 19-7 along the way to 25-9.  Brooke eclipsed 1000 assists in the set, and Jill had six kills, aided and abetted by the half dozen from Sarah McGowan.

Wilmington took the first two points in the second set, only to see Melrose run off five in a row. The Cats got within one at 5-4, but Melrose ramped up their game to lead 11-5, 14-6, and 22-10 en route to a 25-11 win. Jen and Sarah each had a pair of kills, while Brittany and Sydney both had stylish putaways down the stretch, and Syd closed out the frame with a pair of aces.

Melrose erupted to an 8-0 lead in the third behind a service run from Alyssa DiRaffaele. A Wilmington timeout reversed the Melrose fortunes to 8-5, but Melrose restored order to 13-6 and 16-7, with reserves clearing the way to victory down the stretch to 25-11. Melrose had another ten kills, including four for Sarah, three stylish attacks from Brittany, and a pair from Jill, who had a strong game at outside hitter.

Game Analysis: In addition to the accomplishments of Brooke and the team, Coach Celli brings his victory total to 294. Melrose got a confidence-builder ahead of the arrival of state power Westborough Monday which will be one of the biggest games at the Middle School since Barnstable came to town in 2009.

Bring It On

A brief video.

Melrose Creeps Up in Rankings

The Lady Raiders host Wilmington tomorrow in an important tuneup in the final quarter of the regular season.

Melrose hops up to eight in the inscrutable Maxpreps.com rankings.

Melrose-Bishop Fenwick Photoessay*

*Photos by Don Norris, with limited caption interruption; a website for Melrose fans...occasionally you must click the photo to see the whole frame.

We celebrate team sports because team play allows players to be part of an evolution bigger than themselves.  The community embraces not only the sport, but the character of the players.

I heard a story recently about a player who had tremendous excitement being part of the team, realizing fully that she wasn't going to see major court time. Not everyone will be happy not playing as much as they would like, and everyone gives the effort to improve and contribute. But this player worked hard just to make the team, and she and her family welcomes the chance to be part of something special.

"It's like having an oil well, and you pump out the oil during the day, and in the morning there's more oil in the ground." You never know from whence the next player will emerge.
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