Melrose traveled to Wilmington and emerged with a straight set 25-16, 25-11, 25-20 win over an inspired Wildcat team.
Melrose remains without heavy hitters Elena Soukos and Chloe Gentile. Freshman Sadie Jaggers got her first varsity start and with seniors Emily Hudson and Grace Sanderson contributed 23 kills.
Wilmington came out strong in set three and led 16-11 before a key timeout from Coach Scott Celli took the air from Wilmington sails and Melrose rallied to even by the 2/3rds mark.
Down the stretch, Wilmington may have felt some underdog pressure and Melrose showed the resilience of a legacy franchise.
Also critical was the two-headed setting monster of senior Eva Haralabatos and sophomore Emma Desmond. They compensated well for occasional struggles off the back row passing.
Lady Raider Notes. Burlington (5-0) stayed unbeaten handling Wakefield its second defeat (3-1).
Melrose travels to Burlington Tuesday for the premier match of the Middlesex League to date.
Melrose remained undefeated (4-0) with a 25-14, 25-18, 25-1 win over visiting Watertown.
Every match informs lessons. Coach Anson Dorrance of the UNC Soccer Women's Team requires his team to read Michael Useem's The Leadership Moment. In the introduction Useem suggests readers remember four questions:
-What went well?
-What went poorly?
-What can we do better?
-What are the enduring lessons?
My themes for today were RESPECT, RESILIENCE, and RISING STARS. Melrose was without two linchpins of the team, Captains Chloe Gentile and Elena Soukos. And Watertown earned respect with a stout defensive effort and much improved serving. They came to play.
Despite missing Chloe and Elena, Melrose brings a stable of weapons to the match, with seniors Grace Sanderson and Sofia Centrella stepping up at middle and outside hitter. Both lead the young Lady Raiders throughout. And sisters Emily and Abby Hudson brought steadiness and power to the front line working side by side.
Dean Smith's UNC Tarheels started the "White Team" and substituted the "Blue Team" as potent reserves. Melrose's version, the "Red Team" included setter Emma Desmond, defensive specialist Ava McSorley, freshman middle Sadie Jaggers (career high three kills on her birthday), Ava Burns, and defender Grace Gentile. Watertown gave the Red Team all they could handle, trailing 15-14 until Melrose closed them out with a 10-4 run.
The third set saw the White Team restore order with a dominant performance led by Senior setter Eva Haralabatos, libero Autumn Whelan, Sanderson, Sofia, the Hudsons, and sophomore Gia Vlajkovic.
Video from MHS-TV via YouTube.
What qualities belong to elite hitters? They bring size, timing, athleticism and power, using the run-up to bring force to the attack. Notice how Gia starts the attack well behind the ten-foot line and thunders the attack cross-court.
Junior Abby Hudson shows her continued improvement and steadiness from the strong side.
Consistent programs develop young, productive players. Freshman Sadie Jaggers fits that description with a knack for attacking off the short ball.
Missing two of its top six challenged the young Lady Raiders. But they rose to the occasion against a feisty Watertown squad.
High achievement is a multiple of what you do and how long you do it. Exceptional teams play harder longer.
Do 5 more. Read 5 more pages. Do 5 more practice serves. Run 5 more sprints.
"You only get so many bites at the apple." Carpe diem...seize the day.
Miami Heat coach Eric Spoelstra says, "there is a pecking order on every team." Control what you can control by contributing in the best way possible. Contribute by practicing hard, by supporting your teammates, by knowing your role and the game plan, by eating well and getting enough rest.
In 2005 on a Saturday afternoon in Andover, Melrose faced a tough, division one opponent. In the middle of a set, setter Amanda Hallett's shoelace broke. Taylor Pearson came in cold off the bench and Melrose won six of seven points, ultimately winning a five set match 3-2. Taylor didn't have to get ready because she stayed ready. Be ready.
Melrose volleyball rolls on. No games for over two weeks meant practice not rust. Melrose hosted Wilmington and whitewashed the Wildcats, 25-8, 25-8, 25-6. The victory brings Melrose to 3-0 in the Middlesex League.
Melrose dominated from the opening point (video from MHS-TV).
Strong-side hitter Elena Soukos left her mark on the Cats.
All the world's a stage and every player played her role. Junior Abby Hudson seized her opportunity.
But she wasn't the only youngster to deliver punishing attacks.
Sophomore opposite Gia Vlajkovic with a gorgeous run-up and spike from the right side.
Setters Eva Haralabatos and Emma Desmond fed "cheddar biscuits" to attackers and Chloe Gentile, Emily Hudson, and Grace Sanderson dominated the middle.
The defense was seldom challenged.
But when called, defenders like Autumn Whelan stepped up.
Melrose plays two additional games this week, a make up against Watertown and rematch at Wilmington.
After a long absence of games, Melrose gets back into action today. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise as young players improve their defensive coverage and face good practice competition.
Follow Melrose Athletics on Twitter for the latest broadcast information and links.
Melrose's next game (against Watertown) is postponed for the second consecutive week. It's not rocket science during a pandemic.
The next match is scheduled for Tuesday versus Wilmington.
COVID-19 cases are rising (7-day average) in Massachusetts and in MORE THAN HALF of US states despite knowledge about public health measures and vaccination. Attending larger gatherings, crowding, and not using masks all contribute. It's your choice.
"But it's just old people ruining it for us." The Massachusetts COVID-19 Reporting Response data shows that OVER 40% of cases occur in people 29 and under and the single largest group of patients is 0-19 years old.
I am a huge fan of MasterClass an online educational platform.
Professors usually teach four to six hour classes (generally in 15 minute sessions) about writing, business, wellness, cooking, the arts, sports (e.g. Serena Williams, Steph Curry, etc.), and more. I've taken over 60 classes.
Make education a lifetime passion.
Some of the best include:
1) Bob Woodward (Investigative Journalism)
2) Sarah Blakely (Business Development)
3) Doris Kearns Goodwin (Presidential Leadership)
4) Malcolm Gladwell (Writing)
5) Thomas Keller (3 classes) Cooking
Currently, I'm taking a class from Joe Holder on personal fitness.
Abraham Lincoln suffered from crippling depression through much of his life. He lost family members to illness, lost elections, and controversy ensued with his Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863.
Near the top of the Pyramid of Success, two words, "FAITH" and "PATIENCE" flank "COMPETITIVE GREATNESS." It takes belief and time for players to grow into contributing roles.
Making the team is a start, the coach's endorsement.
Note the cornerstones of the pyramid are INDUSTRIOUSNESS (hard work) and ENTHUSIASM (energy).
At the center of the pyramid are CONDITION, SKILL, and TEAM SPIRIT. All three are the fuel that get you an increased role, the opportunity to contribute.
Moving forward requires you to believe in yourself. As that happens, more and more people will share the four words you need to know, "I believe in you."
Without interdivision regular season play, we can only assess the Freedom Division (Burlington, Melrose, Stoneham, Wakefield, Watertown, Wilmington).
History and film suggest that Burlington, Melrose, and Wakefield will fight it out for the top spots. Burlington and Wakefield collide on Tuesday 3/30/21 which should be a tell.
Melrose quickly dispatched Stoneham 3-0 in their rematch at Stoneham HS, 25-7, 25-12, 25-6.
The victory moves Melrose to 2-0 in the Middlesex League.
"Stars shine" with the customary top performances from Elena Soukos, Chloe Gentile, and Autumn Whelan. With senior attacker Emily Hudson out, Melrose got excellent production from senior Grace Sanderson and freshman Sadie Jaggers.
It's hard to single out others because once again everyone contributed. Abby Hudson also attacked consistently outside.
Lady Raider Notes: Years ago, a rival coach described Melrose as a "legacy program" because of their longstanding consistency. That hasn't changed as the program continues to progress youngsters through the system to perform at a high level.
The six major volleyball skills are serving, passing, attacking, blocking, digging, and setting. Melrose has veteran Eva Haralabatos as a top ten (in the state) setter and is developing Emma Desmond as one possible successor.
Thus far, the strengths of the team include solid digging/serve receive, passing, and excellent attack. Championship contenders need three dynamite hitters in the mold of Elena, Chloe, and Emily and they have a panoply of pummelers pounding the metaphorical door of playing time including Grace, Abby, Sadie and others.
Blocking and serving consistency often require more time for optimal timing and development.
In addition to former Melrose star Kayla Wyland running the Wakefield program, she has former teammates Jill MacInnes (MGVCA All-State 2013) and Cassidy Barbaro on her staff (hat tip: Coach Scott Celli).
Sometimes we twist ourselves in knots during comparison. Golf professional Rory McIlroy acknowledged as much discussing his swing. Seeking more length against Bryson DeChambeau, McIlroy said that seeking club speed had cost him consistency and results.
What does that have to do with volleyball? It's natural for people to compare players and teams from other years. Everyone is guilty of doing it, particularly long-time observers of sport. That will prove especially frustrating in 2021, with regular-season competition solely against the ML12 Freedom Division, no non-league opponents, and no state tournament.
The best advice for players remains to "control what you can control." You control your attitude, choices, and effort. That includes your academics, approach to practice (full effort on every repetition), and intangibles like sleep and nutrition.
Melrose reprises its opening day match today, traveling to Stoneham.
A few points about Kayla. She was an accomplished athlete at Melrose. She is the best "freshman team" athlete to become a varsity volleyball player.
She was a key member of the state title team and played two sports in college.
But above all, she is as nice a person as you could ever meet. And her parents told me that she was as genuinely helpful and pleasant at home as she was elsewhere.
Every season is different. The players and the player leadership are always different. The schedule is different and the competition is different.
But this season is unique by virtue of its calendar, protective equipment, and rules modifications. All are likely to be unique for a volleyball season.
What doesn't change? The way that teams come together, practice, work hard, and meet challenges defines the experience. Process defines us more than results, because of uncontrollable factors, like luck, and randomness.
On the right, Melrose winning the State Volleyball Championship with the arrow pointing to the little pumpkin, Grace Gentile. On the left, Grace is a back row player for Melrose with big sister, Captain Chloe Gentile.
Another "Sister Act" with Abby and Emily Hudson (left, center)
Maxpreps.com has a little scoreboard catchup to do.
From BostonGlobe.com
In a minor upset, the Arlington Spy Ponders upset the Woburn Tanners 3-2.
Former Melrose standout Kayla Wyland earned her first win at Wakefield with a 3-0 win over Watertown. For those JVb players wondering about opportunity and future, Kayla played on the Freshman Volleyball squad and became the most accomplished freshman to varsity player in Melrose history. She played volleyball and basketball in college and was part of the "Great Wall" of block with Rachel Johnson during Melrose's State Championship run. She is also the nicest person you would ever get to know.
Melrose hosted Stoneham at the MVMMS Gym, handling the Spartans 25-3, 25-13, 25-12. Everyone had a hand in the victory.
Senior setter Eva Haralabatos started strong with 21 consecutive service points. Because of 25 point games, nobody will ever eclipse Marianne Foley's record 28 achieved during 30 point scoring.
Melrose dominated and controlled the action throughout. Big hitters Emily Hudson, Elena Soukos, and Chloe Gentile owned the net and the defense did a workmanlike job.
Numerous players made solid varsity debuts.
Lady Raider Notes: Melrose earned a sweep with JVa and JVb also sweeping the Spartans.
There are no "ball retrievers" and the same ball is used throughout each set.
As usual, few balls "hit the floor" as the Melrose defense communicated well. The front row did an excellent job staying out of the net.
Overachievers? Everyone performed well. Locals expect the "stars" to be stars. Junior captain Autumn Whelan vacuumed everything in the back and Abby Hudson attacked well from the outside.
"You cannot lean a ladder against the clouds." - Japanese Proverb
Learning, growing, being happen in the present, not the past or the future. You live the most important volleyball day today.
Want a bigger role? Perform at a high level during practice.
Change is the constant of sports. Players seize opportunity through the daily grind, the competition, attention to detail.
"Technique beats tactics." Skill development - setting, passing, serve receiving, digging, blocking, attacking - is magic. Your PROCESS to translate fundamental growth into consistent play defines your RESULTS. Process > results.
Successful teams excel through their 1) consistency and 2) aggressiveness. The best Melrose teams never won through trickery of diversified offense but through being their best selves in the moment of execution.
Melrose opens its season Saturday, March 6th, high noon hosting Stoneham.
The Lady Raiders come off a 19-4 season with starters returning at setter (Eva Haralabatos), defensive specialist (Autumn Whelan), and attackers (Emily Hudson, Chloe Gentile, Elena Soukos). That core, by itself would be expected to compete for a deep playoff run.
Volleyball fans will be curious to see how Coach Celli and his staff restock the back row defense and opposite hitter. Next, we'll see how the depth emerges.
(Click photographs to enlarge. Images courtesy Jen Gentile)
