Game 17: Freedom Division Title, Melrose 3 Wakefield 1

Melrose (12-5) faced a dramatically improved Wakefield team and won a hard-fought four set victory. 

Wakefield (6-12) rode a two game win streak into the match and got off to a fast start with a first set win. 

Throughout the match, Melrose got big production from Emma Randolph (24 kills) and double digit winners from Erin Torpey. Emily Hudson and Claire Albuja both chipped in with seven kills. 

Melrose's new alignment yielded two excellent blocking pairs, the M and M's (Emma and Emily) and a new pair in Grace Davis and Claire. 

Sophomore Sofia Centrella had key attacks off the bench in both the third and fourth sets. 

The back row was solid after struggling a little early with serve receive. Nicole Abbott was exceptional tonight with a number of spectacular diving digs. Emma, Erin, and Mary Kate Mahoney were all terrific in supporting roles and Marie Maher saw action in the clinching set. Leah Heafey was solid in a designated server role. 

Kiki Kiernan had a big effort with 35 assists. 

The win clinches the Freedom Division title for Melrose, which has captured fifteen league titles in the past sixteen seasons*. 

*File photo does not include last year's league and sectional championship. 

Belmont upset Reading today, extending its winning streak to eight and tying the Rockets for the Liberty Division lead. 

Sense of Urgency

Melrose heads down the stretch hosting Wakefield today. 

Excellence demands a sense of urgency every day in every action. 

Rankings

Polls are opinions. The only poll radiating truth occurs at the end of the season. In season polls yield temporary truths and trends. 

The MGHSVB poll is as reasonable as any. 

Melrose faces a trio of mentioned opponents down the stretch, Burlington, Westboro, and Central Catholic (Division 1). Next up? Wakefield. 

Never Give Up

Melrose teams have enjoyed success in the past. "Never let what you can't do interfere with what you can do." 

Game 16: Melrose 3 Watertown 0; Photoessay

Melrose (11-5) backed up its win over Stoneham with a three-set victory at Watertown. Emma Randolph put up 14 kills and both setters, Kiki Kiernan and Autumn Whelan had double digit assists. 

Bill Heafey shares photos. Click the image to enlarge the frame. 

"Always Forward"

The Red Sox won the American League pennant with a simple approach, "win this pitch." Choose your version of playing in the moment. Whether it's "next play" or "be here now" or "right here, right now," focus on doing the next right thing right. 

Few experiences satisfy more than overcoming adversity. Bowdoin Professor Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain won a Congressional Medal of Honor at Gettysburg, holding the southern border with a vicious counterattack at Little Round Top AFTER his troops were out of ammunition. When asked about his military success without formal military education, he said, "I can learn." 

Thomas Edison learned from nearly a thousand lightbulb designs what didn't work. But history remembers him for what worked. 

I share other examples of turning lemons into lemonade from my basketball blog. 

Coach John Wooden preached, "never let what you cannot do prevent you from doing what you can." Always forward. 

Conversation with the Coach

I had the pleasure to chat with Coach Scott Celli (MGVCA Hall of Fame 2011) yesterday. I've known Coach Celli since the 2002 season when my twin daughters entered the program. 

Earlier this season at Stoneham, Coach Celli asked the team, "who do you want to be?" And every season, the team responds differently. 

I asked pointedly, "where's the team's head at?" He answered that they've been positive and worked hard from tryouts to now. This isn't always easy, as frustration can set in from different directions over the course of a season.

He also noted that he's never had a team where each player has played as many sets as this one, partly because he's still searching for the most effective combinations of players. Every player has played at least 25 sets this season. 

Some of the best teams Melrose has faced this year are experienced, senior-laden teams (e.g. Reading, Arlington Catholic). The old saying goes that "the best thing about a freshman is that (s)he becomes a sophomore." Experience doesn't accrue overnight. 

Coach also mentioned the recent steadying influence of tri-Captain Erin Torpey who has a big role both offensively and defensively. That doesn't diminish the contributions of all the other teammates who are working hard. 

There's still a lot of volleyball left to be played, including some challenges ahead with Burlington, Central, and Westborough. Melrose can elevate its play and be ready for a long playoff run. 

Game 15: Playoff Bound, Melrose 3 Stoneham 0

Melrose (10-5) booked its ticket to the postseason with a convincing 3 - 0 win over the visiting Stoneham Spartans, 25-16, 25-11, 25-13. It also kept Melrose in contention for another Middlesex League Freedom Division title, where they trail Burlington by a game. 

Coach Scott Celli continues to adjust the lineup, with Emma Randolph full-time on the outside, and Emily Hudson and Claire Albuja holding down the middle. All three had solid first set action. Kiki Kiernan was back at the setter controls for the first two sets and the back row mostly saw Nicole Abbott, Mary Kate Mahoney, and Erin Torpey (also outside) on the defense. Grace Davis held down the opposite spot. 

Stoneham hung around for the early second set, leading 8-7. But Melrose rampaged with an 18-3 run, highlighted by a lengthy service run by Nicole. Emily and Emma dominated around the next, pairing up as a formidable blocking pair. 

Melrose substituted liberally for the final frame as everyone saw action. Sophomore Sam Dewey had several strong moments in the middle and Marie Maher looked solid in the back row. Freshman setter Autumn Whelan held the fort to the end. Leah Heafey spent time in the back row and unofficially Sofia Centrella had a pair of kills. 

Coaches Conversation:

I had a lengthy conversation with Melrose Coach Scott Celli. Coach Celli said that the team played competitively at Arlington Catholic yesterday in a well-attended "playoff type" atmosphere. "Sometimes our youth shows." 

I mentioned that the team still had a few weeks to build momentum for the postseason and he felt the team would be competitive in the North. We discussed the potential to clean up a few mistakes here and there and the value of more experienced players stepping up in big moments. 

Melrose Hosts Stoneham Today

The Lady Raiders are back in action today, hosting Stoneham. The Spartans put up formidable resistance in their first matchup this season. 

Melrose seeks its tenth win that qualifies them for the postseason. The locals have six games to build momentum for the playoffs and earns a few signature wins. 

The MIAA seeds the playoffs by record and the Lady Raiders want to have some home games during the second season. 

Game 14: AC 3 Melrose 0

Melrose (9-5) completed its two-game road swing with a 3-0 loss at undefeated Arlington Catholic (17-0).

Emma Randolph and Emily Hudson were co-leaders in attacking with seven kills while Erin Torpey added six. 

Nicole Abbott, Emma, and Erin Torpey were the dig leaders. 

Autumn Whelan had 20 assists for the Lady Raiders. 

Coming Attractions:

Melrose hosts Stoneham tomorrow. 

Melrose at Arlington Catholic: Catfight Monday

Melrose (9-4) travels to Cougartown tomorrow facing the Arlington Catholic Cougars, currently undefeated at 16-0. Melrose looks to build on momentum after a hard-fought win at Wilmington Friday night. 

The match is scheduled to begin at about 5:15 P.M. 

Game 13: Melrose 3 Wilmington 2

Melrose traveled to Wilmington and survived a five set nailbiter to raise its record to 9 - 4. The Lady Raiders travel to AC for a Monday game at about 5:15. 

Pictures courtesy of Bill Heafey. Click the images to enlarge.