Matchup Set for Tuesday, 7 PM at Watertown

Hot off the press, Melrose versus Westborough, 7 PM Tuesday via Coach Celli...

Source Material - Melrose.volleyball on Instagram

Melrose.volleyball on Instagram is another terrific site for pictures and more. 

And yes the natives are restless awaiting the details of the State Semifinals match. 

Having a Great Life, There Is Magic in Thinking Big. And the Science of the Final Spike

Stoic philosophy developed a following in the sports world. "Control what you can control" is a central theme for many athletes. 

We control our attitude, our choices, and our effort. We control our preparation and our self-care - sleep, exercise, nutrition, positivity. 

Imagine a world where you compete at a high level with your friends and teammates in a fabulous facility in front of an enthusiastic crowd. You don't have to imagine it; you live it. 

Many high school athletes never experience a winning season or play in a postseason game. Few get to experience playing deep in the postseason. 

Stack one good day atop another and another. Be excited about the process. Get to don't have to.

Lagniappe (something extra). "There is magic in thinking big."

Lagniappe 2. Sports science. Control space to control time. 

Set the playback speed to 0.25. Abby Hudson contacts the ball after 28 seconds and the play is over a fraction of a second later as the ball traverses perhaps 18-20 feet. The average speed of a volleyball spike is 50-70 mph. 60 mph is 88 feet per second. 

18/88 is approximately 0.2 seconds. Perfect execution reduces the defender's time to read and react to almost nothing. 

Sometimes we wish a play could be made, but the space-time relationship precludes it. 

Next Up: Westborough

Melrose faces Westborough in the state semifinal round at a site and time to be announced. I wouldn't be shocked if Newton were the venue. 

Here's a look at some recent video. 

Westborough holds the edge in the all-time series which Maxpreps.com tracks since 2006. 

"It's Chalk Except When It's Not"

We talk about "chalk" when discussing how the results follow the seedings or not. Historically, the seedings had little to do with the results, because top-seeded teams with great records against weak teams often never advanced past early rounds. 

The MIAA deployed a new system this year and four of the top five seeds made the Final Four. 

Westborough (1) advanced with a 3-1 win over Dartmouth (8). 

King Philip (2) punched their ticket with a 3-0 win over ML sisters Woburn (10). 

Hopkinton (3) cruised past Westwood (6) in straight sets. 

Melrose (5) was the lone exception with its 3-2 win over Billerica (4). 

This leads us to the newest rankings from The Boston Globe. 

That doesn't mean the system is perfect but it's a vast improvement on the old system. There is no "easy bracket" to the Final Four. 

Observations: 

1) Not everyone is a fan of the GoFan.com ticketing system and its surcharges. 

2) It pays to play a challenging schedule. In addition to the Middlesex League opponents, Melrose preseason and regular season opponents Newton North, Frontier, and Lynnfield are still alive in their divisions. Adversity late in the season helped propel Melrose's playoff run. 

3) Billerica's new facility had an electric atmosphere in an ultra-modern setting. 

4) You go where your stars take you and with senior leadership. Melrose leveraged both. 

5) And system replenishment with youthful experience helps teams get to the top and stay highly competitive. 

6) Never underestimate the role that coaches have in player and team development, scouting, and game planning. Coach Celli has been getting it done at Melrose for over twenty years. 

As of 7 A.M. the MIAA hasn't announced the venues and times for the semifinals. 

Another Angle on Match Point and Court Storming

 Hat tip: Jen Gentile

Boston Globe Summary, Comeback Context, and More

The Boston Globe adds their summary of the match, including an interview from Coach Scott Celli.

What is the context of this win? First, the victory launches the team into the "Final Four" for the ninth time since 2003, nine trips in the past nineteen seasons. That's about as often as the Patriots go to the Super Bowl during the same two decades. 

Second, trailing 10-3 in the fifth set, the team outscored Billerica 13-4 down the stretch, a remarkable achievement consider fatigue and pressure. What are the comparatives? In 2005, the State Finalists trailed Medfield two sets and 16-23 and rallied to win ten of the next thirteen points, winning 26-24 and forcing the match to five sets in defeat. I think it was in 2011 at Central Catholic when the team rallied from a deficit of something like 22-13 to win a set. Great rally but not in the playoffs...

Two keys include improvement within the Middlesex League with perennial strength from Winchester, Burlington, Woburn and Wakefield (a team on the rise) and willingness to play a strong non-league schedule. Competitive programs know that "iron sharpens iron." 

Never forget that it doesn't always go your way (2011, State Finals). 

But a lot of times...it does. Twenty-something win seasons have been the rule rather than the exception. From 2003 through 2012, Melrose went to the D2 North Final ten consecutive years and won seven times. They were thwarted twice by Central Catholic which was reassigned to Division 1. 

Brian McNally photo, Twitter

Bracketology

Around the Net.

Chris Hurley gives his take from The Lowell Sun

The Melrose Weekly pregame analysis

Match Point

Video Via Jen Gentile

Match point, Melrose wins the aggressiveness battle and uses the width of the court on an Abby Hudson smash. 

A lot 'went right' on this play:

• Autumn Whelan delivers another consistent serve.
• Billerica could be tentative facing match point. 
• Elena gets a back row attack in play.
• Billerica's dig off Elena's hit jams the setter at the net.
• The threat of middle attack pins the middle defender so there is no double block.
• Abby gets a quality set against the lone blocker who is "late" as Abby's attack goes past before she can get a full jump.
• Down-the-line attack gives the back row defender zero reaction time...literally a do or die play. 

Elite 8 Melrose Road Warriors Outlast Billerica 3 - 2, Advance to State Semifinals

 “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

― Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

Melrose rallied from an 'insurmountable' fifth set deficit to beat Billerica 24-26, 26-24, 15-25, 25-19, and 16-14. 

Melrose used most of its nine lives in besting the higher seed on their home court in a brilliant atmosphere for a high school playoff game. 

The first two sets were back and forth affairs with lead changes and action exhausting the oxygen in the room. Melrose had the edge at the net with Chloe Gentile and Sadie Jaggers in the fight and Billerica had exceptional defense and a breadth of attacks with back sets to the right side and back row hitting. 

After a comeback from 15-20 in the second set, Melrose came out flat in the third and Billerica had more energy during a 25-15 win. 

Melrose came out counterpunching in the fourth, the volleyball equivalent of delivering shots to the body. Melrose got an edge and held on.

And then the fateful fifth. Melrose dug a hole trailing 0-6 and 3-8 at the switch. I was texting with Winchester coach John Fleming.

Melrose fell to 3-10 before it’s epic rally to victory. Here’s video from Ralph Labella of the comeback fists of fury starting with Melrose trailing 11-14 (game to 15). 

Diversified Attack

Ferguson Connolly’s “Game Changer” shares wisdom of diversified attack. Challenge the defense to defend multiple players in multiple areas across the breadth of 'the field'. 

"You Feel It. Now Go Do It."

"You feel it. Now go do it." 

 

#5 Seed Melrose Excited to Travel to #4 Seed Billerica for Quarterfinal Tussle Tonight

Melrose is no stranger to deep playoff runs, including eight sectional championships and four trips to the State Finals including the 2012 Championship.

As Coach Scott Celli noted two months ago, key components include playing well, staying healthy, and having a little luck.

During the postseason, a premium on winning points arises as opposed to scoring. Teams are more consistent and aggressive offense with a minimum of three powerful hitters is essential. The emergence of Rachel Johnson as a third threat in the 2012 postseason put Melrose over the top. 

Melrose has the requisite hitters capable of delivering double digit kills including Elena Soukos and Abby Hudson outside and Chloe Gentile and Sadie Jaggers inside. Before moving to setter, Gia Vlajkovic had the same power hitting and adds blocking and a hitting threat at setter.

In Game Changer, Fergus Connolly emphasizes that analytics should have statistical meaning for outcomes. He might say for example that a "get me over" hit (free ball) should carry virtually no risk as it is unlikely to have any reward. Similarly, one could measure the attack efficiency of quick sets, back sets to opposite, slide attacks, and back row hitting relative to setting the outside. 

Years ago, during basketball tryouts, a little sixth grader came up to me before it started saying, "Hi, my name is Naomi, and I'm really excited to be here." She made the team. 

Be excited to be here and enjoy the moment. 

The Hall of Fame Committee will catch up on the numerals (2019, 2021... no season in 2020).

Billerica (green) versus Haverhill (white). 

"One Soul"

 

"One team, one goal."

Hat tip: Niko Soukos 

Correction: Win Count at 32

Correction! 

During the Fall 2 (spring 2001) season Melrose went 12-1.

Thus far they are now 20-2 so the win count is at 32, which presumably cannot be eclipsed.

This is not the only Melrose volleyball record that can't fall. In 2003, Marianne Foley had 28 consecutive service points at Hamilton-Wenham (30 point scoring). 

Bracketology: so far it's mostly "chalk". The top six seeds are alive and Westborough (1) faces Nashoba (16) tonight. 

The Middlesex League has the "Woolworth's" seeds alive (5 and 10). Woburn is the lowest remaining seed among the Final Eight (pending the Westborough-Nashoba contest).

Bracket Notes:
1. Westborough
2. King Philip Regional High School
3. Hopkinton High School
4. Billerica Memorial High School
5. Melrose High School
6. Westwood High School
7. Oliver Ames High School
8. Dartmouth High School
9. Canton High School
10. Woburn Memorial High School

Take Nothing for Granted

Melrose players and fans celebrate advancing to the Elite 8, notching yet another 20 win season, and the 31st win of calendar year 2021. 

Hat tip: Niko Soukos. (I suspect photo attribution to Raj Das...) 

Candor

The volleyball blog is not an official opinion of the City of Melrose, the School Department, the Athletic Department, or any other Melrose organization. All opinions are mine.

I've never seen, coached, or played in a perfect game. It's always better to win imperfectly than lose "moral victories." Do enough "right things at the right time" and you often come up victorious. Process determines destiny. 

Kevin Eastman writes in "Why the Best Are the Best" that the Celtics allowed 32 points to the Lakers from defensive mistakes and errors in a Finals game and won. Everyone makes imperfect plays.

I'm not here to hand out grades but to share the joy and the occasional sadness. As I texted someone today, "have you ever given up a pair of grand slams to the same player in one game?" At least I made that guy happy...

Sports helps write our narrative. Coaches take teams where they cannot go alone. Especially in the playoffs, where the opportunities are greater, we celebrate rising to meet new challenges. 

Enjoy the journey. 

 

Box Score

Melrose got contributions from everywhere in its win over stubborn North Quincy. 

Coming in, Melrose clocked in at #5 on the Maxpreps.com rankings. 

North Quincy, though not tall, did a good job of taking away the short game. 

Gia Vlajkovic piled up 29 assists. 

Three Melrose defenders, led by Autumn Whelan had double digit serve receives again hard hitting North Quincy servers. 

Milestone Victory for Coach Scott Celli

 

Reliable sources share that tonight's win was a milestone for Coach Scott Celli. Congratulations! 

Playoffs Sweet 16: Melrose 3 North Quincy 0

Melrose (20-2) Ousted #21 seeded North Quincy, 25-17, 25-21, and 25-17 in a defensive struggle. The visitors brought an exceptional defense but Melrose had too many guns and prevailed. Fifth-seeded Melrose travels to #4 Billerica Thursday for a six-o'clock showdown. 

 

Sadie Jaggers (10) got off to a fast start with a block. 

 

Abby Hudson finds a rare hole in the North Quincy defense.

North Quincy came out strong in the second period with exceptional defense including the "pancake dig" in this rally. 

 

With Melrose trailing 5-2 in the second, Sadie came up with another key block. 

 

With the score 23-21, Melrose finds All-State hitter Elena Soukos for the big winner. 

 

Melrose controlled the third set and Melrose moves on to the Elite 8.

Game Analysis: It was the potent Melrose offense against a stubborn North Quincy defense. Melrose didn't get as much offense from quick sets as usual and North Quincy made Melrose win points elsewhere. 

A stout performance from Autumn Whelan, Ava McSorley, and Emma Desmond in the back was another key to victory. 

Melrose's defensive plays of the game came on a losing point (below). 

 

d-time and loop don't work, due to YouTube limitations.

The Foundation of Mental Toughness

Learn across disciplines. Canadian basketball coach Dave Smart shares his insights as a championship coach.