Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Playoff Game 4: Melrose 3 Canton 0
"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog." Melrose dispatched the AC cats in the sectionals, and swept the undefeated Canton Bulldogs 25-16, 25-21, and 25-18 to advance to Saturday's State Championship at Algonquin Regional High School.
Canton came in highly regarded, led by dynamic hitter Julia Murphy, a versatile All-State player and setter Kaitlin Phillips. They had an enthusiastic crowd behind them as well.
And the Bulldogs got the better of it early, as once again Melrose got off to a slow start. After ties at one through three Canton went up 5-3 as Murphy displayed her wares. But behind perhaps the story of the year, Cassidy Barbaro and her rocket serves, Melrose ran out to a 12-6 lead forcing a Canton time out. The bulldogs clawed back to 12-8 and 14-10, but another Melrose run ran the lead to 21-10 and Melrose handily took the set.
The Lady Raiders had ten kills including five from Sarah McGowan and a pair from Brooke Bell who was magnificent tonight at setter.
The second set would not be so easy. Canton raced out to a 6-2 lead, forcing an early Scott Celli timeout. Canton continued to dominate, extending the lead to 16-9. But Rachel Johnson came out of the phonebooth with an "S" on her uniform and had three massive kills near the ten foot line and Kayla Wyland and Jen Cain bombed away from the outside with a spectacular rally to tie the set at 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 before Annalisa DeBari put the cherry on top with a pair of kills and Cassidy Barbaro ran off another four service points. McGowan drove in a slide attack to win it of a pretty Bell backset.
Melrose had thirteen kills for the set, with four for Jen, three apiece for Rachel and Kayla, and a pair for Annalisa in a complete team effort.
The Bulldogs did not plan to go quietly into the night. After Melrose went up 3-1 in set three, Canton rallied to lead 10-6, only to have Melrose respond with some of their best volleyball of the season, an 11-3 run with four McGowan kills, a pair from Jen Cain, and a beautiful push from Brooke Bell. From 17-13, Canton got as close as three at 18-15, but diversified offense with kills from Kayla (two), Rachel (two), and Annalisa with a falling away cut shot got Melrose to 24-18. A final Canton attack soared long, and the celebration was on.
Game analysis: In the eleven years I've watched Melrose volleyball, it was the most complete and total team effort in victory. Aside from the expected terrific performances from All-State players Sarah and Brooke, the diversified offense from Jen, Rachel, Kayla, and Annalisa proved dramatically complementary. And in the back row, Amanda Commito, libero Jill MacInnes, and Allie Nolan were nearly flawless.
Frankly Melrose played "Secretariat" to Canton's "Sham" as far as domination in crunch time.
Melrose adds to its list of achievements:
- First Melrose team to win four sectional titles
- First Melrose team to go to two state championships
- First Melrose team to win twenty-five games
The girls will look to climb the summit Saturday.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Maxpreps.com Game Preview
Maxpreps.com preview of tomorrow's game. Undefeated Canton is led by All-State hitter Julia Murphy and Boston Globe player of the week setter Kaitlin Phillips. The Boston Globe also recognized Coach Pat Cawley for her 100th win in just her sixth season and profiled the Bulldogs in depth.
Bracketology
It starts with the players, coaches, and community support...like great photos from Don Norris.
Here's anonymous commentary from the Web:
856.1.
Tourney Contenders
I saw Barnstable once and they looked good. But, Lincoln-Sudbury or Newton North(who has already beaten Barnstable this year) could take DI.Melrose looks more polished this year than in the past. Their offense is very basic but they control the ball well and that is the key. This might finally be their year. None of the central teams look like they can pull it off. Have not seen Canton, looking at their schedule they only played one good team, Notre Dame, Hingham(they are a contender) and just got by 3-2. They have lost sets to a lot of middle of the road teams. I will say Melrose in D2.D3, Frontier has Cassidy Stankowski, end of story.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Soup
Jon Gordon's "Soup" is one of my favorite books. Gordon reminds us that it takes a lot to make a great 'soup'.
Here's a link to his blog with thoughts from his book. I hope you enjoy them and find them relevant.
Here's a link to his blog with thoughts from his book. I hope you enjoy them and find them relevant.
Class Act - NHS
Around the Net
Boston Globe
Melrose Free Press
Arlington Wicked Local
Sarah McGowan put her uniform number up, and it was lucky sevens after that in a balanced offensive attack where everyone played well.
Cassidy Barbaro ran the table in the game of nine-ball.
Melrose Free Press
Arlington Wicked Local
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Playoff Game 3*: Melrose 3 Arlington Catholic 0
*Fourpeat!
Click photo to see the full image. Photo by Ron Sen.
Melrose renewed its rivalry with Arlington Catholic in the Division 2 North finals and overwhelmed AC 25-21, 25-17, 25-9. It was Melrose's tenth consecutive appearance in the sectional title game and the Lady Raiders captured their fourth consecutive sectional championship and their seventh in the past ten seasons.
Melrose got off to a slow start in set one, as they went with a different rotation to match up against AC's biggest hitter. As the match proceeded, the decision proved an unqualified success. Melrose's blockers, Rachel Johnson, Kayla Wyland, and Sarah McGowan shut down the AC offense and Melrose, led by Brooke Bell's setting, pounded away on the Cougar defense.
AC went out 2-0 and had ties at four through eight. Melrose went up 10-8, only to see AC lead at 14-12 and 16-14, but Melrose assumed the lead at 17-16 and never trailed again in the MATCH.
With Melrose leading 21-20, perhaps the key point of the contest ensued with a Bell crosscourt set to Annalisa DeBari who delivered a down-the-line strong side kill to give Melrose a 22-20 edge. A McGowan-Bell double block followed to put Melrose up 23-20 and Melrose never looked back.
Melrose had fourteen set one kills, led by Jen Cain with five including the coup de grace and another five for Sarah McGowan. Kayla Wyland, who was outstanding on the match also added a pair.
Melrose carried the momentum into set two, going up 2-1, 9-2, and 18-8 behind a flurry of McGowan and Rachel Johnson kills. The Lady Raiders seemed to lose focus for a bit as AC rallied to 18-13...but a Scott Celli timeout re-energized the team, which then finished on a 7-4 run to capture the frame.
Sarah added another five kills, and Rachel, Kayla, and Brooke each pounded in three. The back row defense of Amanda Commito, Jill MacInnes, and Allie Nolan came on strong as well.
Set three was simply a rout. After leading 3-2, Melrose went on a 16-3 run to open a 19-5 edge, and the trip to the State Semifinals Tuesday in Billerica was booked. Cassidy Barbaro had a magnificent night serving, fired in a series of rocket serves including four aces to seal the Cat-astrophe for the Cougars.
Melrose was able to substitute out McGowan, Cain, and Bell for well-deserved curtain calls and Maeve Moriarty got a late kill on a great push to the corner.
Game analysis: "The race is not always to the swiftest or the battle to the strongest, but it pays to bet that way." - Damon Runyan
Melrose used more talent, more consistency, and relentless advantage at the net to seize a berth in the next round. As dominant as Sarah McGowan was, abetted by great setting and solid back row play, Jen Cain excelled in the first set, and Rachel Johnson and Kayla Wyland stepped up huge to declaw the Cougar offense.
Great credit goes to Cassidy, who has emerged as a key figure as a designated server in the latter half of the season, always working hard and remaining positive over three years of varsity play.
Melrose faces Canton Tuesday at Billerica as Canton defeated Medfield 3-2 to advance in the Central Division.
The Boston Globe interviews Sarah McGowan and Brooke Bell after today's win.
Melrose renewed its rivalry with Arlington Catholic in the Division 2 North finals and overwhelmed AC 25-21, 25-17, 25-9. It was Melrose's tenth consecutive appearance in the sectional title game and the Lady Raiders captured their fourth consecutive sectional championship and their seventh in the past ten seasons.
Melrose got off to a slow start in set one, as they went with a different rotation to match up against AC's biggest hitter. As the match proceeded, the decision proved an unqualified success. Melrose's blockers, Rachel Johnson, Kayla Wyland, and Sarah McGowan shut down the AC offense and Melrose, led by Brooke Bell's setting, pounded away on the Cougar defense.
AC went out 2-0 and had ties at four through eight. Melrose went up 10-8, only to see AC lead at 14-12 and 16-14, but Melrose assumed the lead at 17-16 and never trailed again in the MATCH.
With Melrose leading 21-20, perhaps the key point of the contest ensued with a Bell crosscourt set to Annalisa DeBari who delivered a down-the-line strong side kill to give Melrose a 22-20 edge. A McGowan-Bell double block followed to put Melrose up 23-20 and Melrose never looked back.
Melrose had fourteen set one kills, led by Jen Cain with five including the coup de grace and another five for Sarah McGowan. Kayla Wyland, who was outstanding on the match also added a pair.
Melrose carried the momentum into set two, going up 2-1, 9-2, and 18-8 behind a flurry of McGowan and Rachel Johnson kills. The Lady Raiders seemed to lose focus for a bit as AC rallied to 18-13...but a Scott Celli timeout re-energized the team, which then finished on a 7-4 run to capture the frame.
Sarah added another five kills, and Rachel, Kayla, and Brooke each pounded in three. The back row defense of Amanda Commito, Jill MacInnes, and Allie Nolan came on strong as well.
Set three was simply a rout. After leading 3-2, Melrose went on a 16-3 run to open a 19-5 edge, and the trip to the State Semifinals Tuesday in Billerica was booked. Cassidy Barbaro had a magnificent night serving, fired in a series of rocket serves including four aces to seal the Cat-astrophe for the Cougars.
Melrose was able to substitute out McGowan, Cain, and Bell for well-deserved curtain calls and Maeve Moriarty got a late kill on a great push to the corner.
Game analysis: "The race is not always to the swiftest or the battle to the strongest, but it pays to bet that way." - Damon Runyan
Melrose used more talent, more consistency, and relentless advantage at the net to seize a berth in the next round. As dominant as Sarah McGowan was, abetted by great setting and solid back row play, Jen Cain excelled in the first set, and Rachel Johnson and Kayla Wyland stepped up huge to declaw the Cougar offense.
Great credit goes to Cassidy, who has emerged as a key figure as a designated server in the latter half of the season, always working hard and remaining positive over three years of varsity play.
Melrose faces Canton Tuesday at Billerica as Canton defeated Medfield 3-2 to advance in the Central Division.
The Boston Globe interviews Sarah McGowan and Brooke Bell after today's win.
The Essence of Leadership
"The sword is always beaten by the spirit." - Napoleon
Leadership comes in a myriad of forms, but forceful, imperial leadership pales in comparison with leadership based on trust, loyalty, and respect. That separates great leadership from failed leadership.
Great teams have a culture supporting success...passion, unity, selflessness, humility, and thankfulness...where achievement dwarfs recognition.
At the end of the day, let everyone say that you play smart, play hard, play together, and have fun.
Armageddon
Looking backward, we see the seeds of success planted in the 2010 season.
This rivalry isn't new.
Best of the best...redux.
And most important...
"If the competition is good," Melrose coach Scott Celli said, "We play our best volleyball and tonight we did."
Game Day
Sometimes it's the chirping of the birds, the aroma of wet leaves, or lingering taste of "June Bars".
And other times, it's raining T.P. Game day. Be there.
Congratulations are in order...Sarah McGowan, Rachel Johnson, and Sydney Doherty recently received induction into the National Honor Society. Sarah McGowan and Brooke Bell were again selected to the Massachusetts Division 2 All-State team, rejoining a growing list of Melrose volleyballers so honored.
Congratulations are in order...Sarah McGowan, Rachel Johnson, and Sydney Doherty recently received induction into the National Honor Society. Sarah McGowan and Brooke Bell were again selected to the Massachusetts Division 2 All-State team, rejoining a growing list of Melrose volleyballers so honored.
Friday, November 09, 2012
The Ten Percent
There are 83 volleyball teams in Division 2 in Massachusetts. Eight survive and advance to Sectional Saturday.
In the West, Minnechaug faces Longmeadow.
In the Central, Medfield matches up against Canton.
In the South, Duxbury battles Fairhaven.
In the North, Melrose resumes its rivalry with Arlington Catholic.
I will no longer refer to the Maxpreps.com rankings, which are fatally flawed in their inability to account reasonably for head-to-head matchups. Their top ranked team in D2 (Westborough) has been defeated by both their #2 (Canton) and their #3 (Melrose).
Melrose faces AC tomorrow at 4 PM at cavernous Lawrence High School.
In the West, Minnechaug faces Longmeadow.
In the Central, Medfield matches up against Canton.
In the South, Duxbury battles Fairhaven.
In the North, Melrose resumes its rivalry with Arlington Catholic.
I will no longer refer to the Maxpreps.com rankings, which are fatally flawed in their inability to account reasonably for head-to-head matchups. Their top ranked team in D2 (Westborough) has been defeated by both their #2 (Canton) and their #3 (Melrose).
Melrose faces AC tomorrow at 4 PM at cavernous Lawrence High School.
Thursday, November 08, 2012
Melrose - Burlington Photoessay - Early Shots
Photos courtesy of Don Norris. Click to see full frame.
Playoff Game 2: Melrose 3 Burlington 0
Melrose (23-1) hosted Burlington (17-6) as they try to redraw the volleyball map...leaving with a 25-16, 25-11, 25-13 victory. Melrose will face Arlington Catholic Saturday in Lawrence for the Division 2 North title. Melrose appears in the championship game for the tenth consecutive season.
Burlington relies on a very stout back row defense led by an outstanding libero and hasn't yet developed the offense to play even with top teams.
The Red Devils took the opening point and was tied at four after a service error. But Melrose asserted itself led by Junior Annalisa DeBari who scored Melrose's first four kills and went out to a 12-4 lead. Burlington never seriously threatened from that point, trailing 22-11 before succumbing 25-16. Sarah McGowan had six kills and Jen Cain added a pair as Melrose had fourteen kills and a lone service error. Brooke Bell piled up the assists in the set.
Jen Cain slams from the strong side. (Don Norris photo)
Set two had more of the same with Melrose leads at 2-1, 7-2, 10-3, and 18-5 in a rout. DeBari again had three quick kills, and Rachel Johnson blasted in a trio of well, along with one apiece from Kayla Wyland and Jen Cain. Melrose simply dominated throughout.
Burlington's opposition stiffened in the third set, with ties at 5, 6, 7, and 8 before a nine point Melrose run ended the visitor's hopes of advancing. Kayla Wyland had three big kills with a pair from Rachel, Jen, and Sarah. And the back row defense from Amanda Commito, Jill MacInnes, Allie Nolan, and the rotations of DeBari, McGowan, and Cain were all excellent. Sydney Doherty had some fine defensive moments as well.
Game Analysis: Melrose simply excelled in all areas of the game after a sluggish start. Burlington played consistent volleyball and is working to improve as they had two cameras filming the game for development purposes.
Melrose will face AC which defeated Weston 27-25, 25-13, and 30-28 to advance to the championship game for the first time since 2003. Melrose seeks its seventh D2 North title in a decade and goes for an unprecedented four-peat.
Burlington relies on a very stout back row defense led by an outstanding libero and hasn't yet developed the offense to play even with top teams.
The Red Devils took the opening point and was tied at four after a service error. But Melrose asserted itself led by Junior Annalisa DeBari who scored Melrose's first four kills and went out to a 12-4 lead. Burlington never seriously threatened from that point, trailing 22-11 before succumbing 25-16. Sarah McGowan had six kills and Jen Cain added a pair as Melrose had fourteen kills and a lone service error. Brooke Bell piled up the assists in the set.
Set two had more of the same with Melrose leads at 2-1, 7-2, 10-3, and 18-5 in a rout. DeBari again had three quick kills, and Rachel Johnson blasted in a trio of well, along with one apiece from Kayla Wyland and Jen Cain. Melrose simply dominated throughout.
Burlington's opposition stiffened in the third set, with ties at 5, 6, 7, and 8 before a nine point Melrose run ended the visitor's hopes of advancing. Kayla Wyland had three big kills with a pair from Rachel, Jen, and Sarah. And the back row defense from Amanda Commito, Jill MacInnes, Allie Nolan, and the rotations of DeBari, McGowan, and Cain were all excellent. Sydney Doherty had some fine defensive moments as well.
Game Analysis: Melrose simply excelled in all areas of the game after a sluggish start. Burlington played consistent volleyball and is working to improve as they had two cameras filming the game for development purposes.
Melrose will face AC which defeated Weston 27-25, 25-13, and 30-28 to advance to the championship game for the first time since 2003. Melrose seeks its seventh D2 North title in a decade and goes for an unprecedented four-peat.
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