Game 17: Melrose 3 Frontier 0

Melrose (16-1) hosted the Frontier Red Hawks in a major intersectional 'friendly'. Melrose players were not happy with what they saw as subpar performance against Wakefield and showed it with a 25-20, 28-26, 25-17 win.

Both teams seemed tight early but as play proceeded the quality of play improved as expected. 

Frontier had a dominant outside hitter, Jillian Apanell, who came in with 206 kills (4.0/set) and a .244 hitting percentage. They also had an outstanding libero and solid setter, but not as much overall offensive force as Melrose. 

After an exhausting second set win, 28-26, Melrose came out flat for the third, trailing 6-1. A Scott Celli timeout energized the team and the key play of the match, a brilliant dig by Autumn Whelan turned the match around. The play occurred with the score 7-2 and from that point Melrose outscored Frontier 23-10 to seal the match. 

Here's the play, trimmed from the MHS-TV YouTube feed. 

Once again, it was a total team effort led by Elena Soukos, aided by contributions from numerous teammates with Ava Burns outstanding at opposite, solid work in the middle from junior Chloe Gentile and sophomore Sadie Jaggers, and hitting from junior Gia Vlajkovic. Abby Hudson's return has added serving stability, and there's plenty of defense from Autumn, Ava McSorley, and Emma Desmond. 

Melrose notes: The game had a playoff feel to it with a pair of strong teams and an enthusiastic crowd. 

Bring Attitude to the Court, Be the Boss

 

"Pound the Rock" - The Rock Finally Gave Way Late in Set 3. "Showdown Saturday" Awaits

It takes courage to keep hitting. Athleticism, size, skill, and resilience define teams. In the third set, Melrose trailed 20-13, 22-16, 23-20, and 24-23 before putting Wakefield away.

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich says, "pound the rock" as "you can't skip steps." If it takes a hundred hits to break the rock, keep pounding until it splits. Gia Vlajkovic kept pounding the rock until it gave, unwavering in hitting intent in one of the elite sequences of Melrose Volleyball. 

It's always a team effort and Melrose got three late kills from Gia including staving off set point and a go-ahead winner from Elena Soukos to put Melrose in position to win. And don't sleep on key serves from Abby Hudson and Ava Burns down the stretch. 

Melrose notes: It's an East versus West Showdown Saturday as Maxpreps.com Western Mass leader Frontier invades Melrose (Boston Area #3) the MVMMS Gym at noon (JV) and @130 (Varsity). 

Legacy Program

A former Wakefield coach, Nicole Trudeau, described Melrose as a "legacy program." Here's why.

With the pandemic, the banner needs to be updated with more numbers, 2019, and maybe 2021* and 2021.

What happened in 2006? A pair of controversial (incorrect) fifth set calls against Melrose led to a loss. Broadcasting the game, we were positioned on the sideline behind the endline in perfect position. Two balls landed in after going wide of the 'antenna' and were called good by the lead official. It happens. 

Key Sequence of Second Set

Video trimmed from the WCAT YouTube feed. 

The capacity to win points defines the top teams versus those near the top. Trailing 22-19 in the second set, Melrose strung together a 6-1 run on a mixture of hitting, excellent serving, and maintaining composure to eke out a 25-23 win. 

Wakefield's back row was excellent in fending off a myriad of attacks but Melrose had enough firepower to win. 

Elena Soukos had a dozen kills including some key ones from the back row and Gia Vlajkovic added five. 

The win sets the stage for a postseason tuneup Saturday (JV 1200, Varsity 1330) against western Mass titan Frontier (14-3) which comes off a revenge win against 14-3 Westfield. One of Frontier's losses comes against the top-ranked Westborough Rangers. 

 

Game 16: Melrose 3 Wakefield 0

"Objects in the rearview mirror are closer than they appear." 

Melrose (15-1) scraped and clawed to survive Wakefield 25-12, 25-23, and 26-24 with a pair of epic comebacks. 

 

Fourth Quarter Starter: At Wakefield, Whale of a Contest

"That ain't no whale; that a great white god." - Charles Dickens, Moby Dick

Melrose (14-1) looks to build momentum headed into the postseason, starting the final quarter of the season at Wakefield.

Wakefield wrapped a Division 2 playoff berth with its recent tenth win. The Warriors had their first winning season in Spring 2021, with a 7-5 win under first year coach Kayla Wyland. They followed that with another solid season and are fifth in sets won differential in the Middlesex League. 

Meanwhile, Melrose challenges itself to be at its best blending commitment to hitting and consistent defense. Execute this play. 

Massachusetts Rankings, Maxpreps.com

Middlesex League Standings, Maxpreps.com

Rest assured that Wakefield views Melrose as its white whale coming into the match 0-17 against Melrose. 

Wakefield stands 22 in the Division 2 rankings (as of 10/17), one ahead of Reading. 

Here's a look back to March 2021 with a profile of Wakefield Coach Wyland. 

 

The Circle of Life

Seniors stepped onto the hardwood maple last night to earn their 25th win of the calendar year, a milestone, on Senior Night. 

All of them entered for the first time once, uncertain, unproven, beginning their journey of the Circle of Life...the young lion or lioness becomes the alpha.

Some from this group will earn All-State, All-Scholastic, and All-League honors. And yet all began humbly enough with those first steps on the court. 

Celebrate the journey. 

 

Stat Leaders, Middlesex League

Tack up some more numbers on the volleyball banner. In fact, the banner will have a pair of 2021s someday, with a pair of Freedom Division titles this calendar year.  

"Statistics that finish plays" (kills, assists, or defensively that prevent finishing, e.g. digs) have special meaning. 

Emma Desmond leads the ML in assists/set. 

Elena Soukos tops the list in both kills and kills/set. 

Autumn Whelan captains the Melrose defense with over a hundred digs. 

And with their win the 14-1 Melrose are sole owners of Freedom League title. They remain undefeated in Middlesex league where they have not lost a set. .⁦@BostonHeraldHS⁩ .⁦@MassGHSVB⁩ pic.twitter.com/5r7re9kvqz

— Melrose Weekly Sport (@MelroseWNSports) October 20, 2021

Game 15: Melrose 3 Watertown 0 Zooming, Blooming, and Grooming

Melrose (14-1) celebrated Senior Night with a 25-14, 25-14, 25-7 win against Watertown. Melrose stayed hungry for offense throughout. 

Before the game, Coach Scott Celli and local fans recognized the careers of Ava Burns, Abby Hudson, Autumn Whelan, and Elena Soukos. 

It was a total team effort with the usual zooming from producers like Elena and Chloe Gentile, growing confidence from bloomers Ava Burns and Sadie Jaggers, and grooming for the future including good performance from Ruth Breen in relief, Grace Gentile, and cameos by Anna Shoemaker and Ruth Breen. 

Melrose got its usual solid defense from Autumn Whelan and Ava McSorley. 

Soukos quickly went to work to pick up the first kill of the night. 

Even with the rare block, Soukos recovers and finds a hole down the line. 

Sadie Jaggers stayed strong at the net. 

Gia Vlajkovic finishes with characteristic flair.

Around the Middlesex League: Winchester avenged a previous defeat to Belmont 3-2 and Reading battles to make the postseason by beating Woburn 3-1. 

MHS-TV Live Stream

Volleyball Final : Melrose 3 Watertown 0. Melrose is now 14-1 & celebrated Senior Night honoring Ava, Elena, Abby and Autumn. .⁦@BostonHeraldHS⁩ .⁦@MassGHSVB⁩ pic.twitter.com/e3X3aeHbxq

— Melrose Weekly Sport (@MelroseWNSports) October 20, 2021

Time Update: Frontier. Saturday JV 12 V 130

Saturday’s epic match with Frontier moves up to noon for JV and 130 for varsity. 

Updated MIAA Rankings, Senior Night Is Here, More Peabody Highlights

Prioritize process over results because over time excellence in process leads to superior results. 

Achievement = EXCELLENCE x TIME 

That's why we celebrate Senior Night as the product of commitment over time. Darren Hardy wrote The Compound Effect including this quote, “A daily routine built on good habits and disciplines separates the most successful among us from everyone else.”

Hard work doesn't guarantee success, but laziness won't get there.

Three Middlesex League clubs are in the top fifteen in Massachusetts Division 2. 

Meanwhile, in the Middlesex League, there's no ice on Spy Pond

Arlington has been en fuego with five consecutive wins including wins over first division clubs Woburn and Burlington. 

Wakefield is one win away from a playoff berth and Lexington is in the hunt for post-season play. 

Middlesex League teams are 18-10 in non-league play. 

Highlights (Peabody)... second set

Improved blocking has been a defensive key. 

Finesse can be as powerful as force. 

Coordination of play leads to the classic "bump, set, spike." Hitters (on both teams) are looking for the "Goldilocks pass" neither too close nor too far from the net. 

Rankings and More

The Boston Globe has its own power rankings. 

The MIAA power ratings are provided for comparison (as of 10/13/21)

The Melrose Weekly News updates the latest volleyball information. The MIAA rankings determine post-season seedings and home court advantage. 

Senior Night Tuesday

Tuesday brings Senior Night where fans and teammates recognize the contributions of seniors graduating from the program. 

The MVMMS gym is decorated, Coach Celli introduces players and their parents, and a younger teammate reads a testimonial to her teammate. 

Seniors graduating include: 

• Ava Burns
• Abby Hudson
• Elena Soukos
• Autumn Whelan

This group had a unique experience, last year's season postponed and shortened during the spring and yet having the most games played in a calendar year. 

Burns has filled the opposite role well and a designated server with her lefthanded offerings. She's a great example of a player who forced her way into the picture.

 

Hudson is part of the "Sister Act" so commonly seen in the program, following in the footsteps of her sister Emily, a freshman at WPI. She's an excellent all-around player, a power hitter in the mold of Laura Irwin, and looks to come back from injury this week.

Soukos is one of the elite players in the history of Melrose volleyball, a powerful hitter and server who doubles as a stout defender. When long-time observers talk about the top players in Melrose history, she's in the conversation. 

Whelan is small in stature and big in skill and heart. She's among the top liberos in program history who also has a monster serve. 

The game is scheduled to start at 630 but the festivities occur before the game. 

Images courtesy of Jen Gentile. 

Final thoughts. Teddy Roosevelt said, "Comparison is the thief of joy." Our memories fade with time as we remember former teams and players. 

Jill MacInnes anchored the defense of the 2012 Title team, as J-Mac made stellar plays. 

The road win at Westborough was one of the team's signature wins. 

Melrose Players Among Massachusetts Leaders

Elena Soukos moves up to fourth among leaders in kills/set. 

Emma Desmond stands at seven among leaders in assists/set. 

 

More Melrose First Set Highlights Versus Peabody

With an astonishing fifty kills, Melrose overcame a stubborn Peabody defense. Here are another group of highlights from MHS-TV. 

With 17 kills, Elena Soukos struck early and often. 

"Thank you sir, may I have another?"

Sadie Jaggers throws up a wall for a "block kill." Blocking has improved dramatically as the season progresses. 

Sadie finds another hole in the defense. 

Relentless 'commitment' to hitting pressures the defense. Finally, three spikes and you're out. 

Sturdy defense by Emma Desmond leads to Gia Vlajkovic wiping the block.

 

Autumn Whelan's defense keeps a play alive for another Gia winner. 

Melrose Notes: Next week features three fascinating contests, Senior Night on Tuesday, a rematch with Wakefield on Thursday, and a non-league tilt with perennial powerhouse Frontier on Saturday. 

Standings and Stats

The Navy SEALs have a saying, "never bring a gun to a gunfight." They mean bring overwhelming force, like a tank. 

 

Emma Desmond had a career day with 38 assists. 

Elena Soukos brought the tank with 17 kills, ably assisted by Chloe Gentile controlling the middle (12 kills) and high volume winners from Sadie Jaggers (8) and Gia Vlajkovic (7). 

Arlington claws its way into the upper half of the standings with an upset 3-2 win over Woburn. Arlington has a three game winning streak now. 

First Highlights: Melrose - Peabody

Down the stretch Melrose scores first on short ball from Gia Vlajkovic and Peabody strikes back with a classic setter dump. Then Chloe Gentile responds by hammering home a short ball to go up 24-23. 

Chloe serves for set point. During an extended rally Ava McSorley and Gia Vlajkovic fight off winners and the closer Elena Soukos puts Peabody to sleep. 

Game 14: Melrose 3 Peabody 0

Melrose (13-1) held serve on their home court, defeating the Tanners (10-4) 25-11, 25-8, and 25-23. The win stopped a Peabody nine game winning streak and extended Melrose's win streak to five. 

Elena Soukos unofficially led Melrose with seventeen kills. 

I'll share stats and highlights as available.  

 

Streaks on the Line, Melrose Hosts Peabody Today

Bring the hammer and tongs today to the MVMMS Gym as Peabody brings a nine game winning streak to the hardwood maple. 

It looks as though the Tanners have their own sister act with the Bettencourts. 

The visitors are in a dog fight for a share of the Northeast Volleyball Conference title. 

Expect an enthusiastic crowd.