"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. 

Latest Maxpreps Ratings

 

Drama Queens - You Have the Long Tradition of Melrose Volleyball with You

Note: Tickets are available both online and at the door for tonight's 6 PM match. 

Melrose faces a big challenge tonight in the second round of the All-State playoffs. But Melrose has overcome adversity before. 

Here are some examples from the past. For context, some came before all of the current players were born... 

In the State Championship game of 2005, Melrose rallied from 16-23 and 21-24 to win the third set. Jen Cohane (in retrospect) sustained a concussion during that rally. Adversity is your companion. 

Study former players like Sarah McGowan to see the versatility of their craft. 

Have something extra in your tank... 

Lagniappe (something extra). "Do or do not." 

Lagniappe 2. They say the cost of an Olympic gold medal in figure skating is 20,000 falls. In sport, you will always fall. But champions get back up.

 

Melrose Hosts North Quincy for a Trip to the Elite Eight

Melrose seeks a trip to the quarterfinals, hosting North Quincy tonight at 6 PM. The winner earns a match at Billerica on the eleventh at 6 PM as Billerica topped Wakefield 25-22, 25-18, and 25-13. 

Tickets must be purchased at GoFan

Star Struck - MAVCA Names Elena Soukos to All-State Team

Elena Soukos becomes the latest Melrose volleyballer to earn Division 2 All-State recognition from the Massachusetts Volleyball Coaches Association.

Elena led Melrose to a Freedom Division title and a ML best 15-1 record and was named Freedom Division MVP.  

Also named from the ML in Division 2 were Sophia Furxhi of Woburn and Abigail Farrell of Reading.  

(Dan Pawlowski photo) 

 

Thirty and Counting

Melrose Volleyball 2021 has no comparable season during a global pandemic. 

The "Fall 2" season saw Melrose go 11-1 en route to a Freedom Division title. The 2021 season stands at 19-2 with another Freedom Division championship. 

The 2021 edition has won thirty season and postseason games in a calendar year which eclipses any Melrose High team before or after. 

But there's continuity because the program refreshes with youthful experience. This team has four vital seniors - Elena Soukos, Autumn Whelan, Abby Hudson, and Ava Burns. But it also has underclassmen playing at a high level - juniors Chloe Gentile, Gia Vlajkovic, Ava McSorley, Emma Desmond, and sophomores Sadie Jaggers and Grace Gentile. 

"Do more to become more; become more to do more." Know your job and work to improve and you can expand your role. 

Perhaps anomaly, but the Western Massachusetts teams are all eliminated as we start the Division 2 Round of 16.  

An Alfred Hitchcock Moment

For classic film fans, this photograph illustrates an "Alfred Hitchcock" moment. 

 

Karch Kiraly Interview on Volleyball and Coaching

Hat tip: Nik Soukos

Interview with Olympic multiple Gold Medalist and Gold Medal Coach Karch Kiraly

• Authenticity
• Balance
• Focus on this play

How could I focus (as a player) on making the team (USA) better and win a medal? 

The exceptional player who becomes an exceptional coach is the exception not the rule. 

From Sandman to Springsteen

Many are unaware that Coach Scott Celli has been to about twenty Bruce Springsteen concerts. Which sometimes gets Bruce some airtime on the blog. 

Melrose's win last night advanced them to the round of sixteen in the All-State tournament against North Quincy (15-5) from the Patriot League. 

Stat Lines:

Elena Soukos officially had 17 kills. Perhaps the most spectacular kill came on a backset from Chloe Gentile. 

Middlesex League entries: The top ML teams in Division 1 (Winchester and Arlington) survived and advanced.

The four top ML teams in Division 2 (Melrose, Woburn, Burlington, and Wakefield) likewise advanced. I am not in the prediction business. 

Unsung Hero Award: Coach Ryan Schmitt for scouting Chelsea at Amherst. 

Postgame Interviews

 High school sports news

State Tournament: Round of 32 Melrose 3 Amherst-Pelham 0

Melrose parlayed a week of rest and focused practice into a convincing 25-8, 25-5, 25-13 win over visiting Amherst-Pelham. The win puts Melrose (19-2) into the Sweet 16 where they host North Quincy Tuesday night at 6 PM. 

Melrose roared out to 8-0 and 12-0 leads in the first two sets of their first match of the new All-State Tournament. Amherst (17-5) had the disadvantage of a long bus ride from western Massachusetts. 

Everyone played well. It's hard not to single out Elena Soukos who delivered (unofficially) sixteen kills, dominance at the net from junior Chloe Gentile and sophomore Sadie Jaggers, great service from seniors Abby Hudson and Ava Burns, and quality setting from junior Gia Vlajkovic.  

Melrose's offensive dominance gave the defense a relative breather, although the back row combinations of Autumn Whelan, Ava McSorley, Emma Desmond, and Grace Gentile all played their role. 

YouTube video from MHS-TV

Bracketology:

Four Middlesex League teams (Melrose, Woburn, Burlington, and Wakefield) advance to the Sweet 16. 

Melrose Weekly Outlook

 Post from Melrose Weekly 

Bracketology. It's On.

It's on. Tonight at 5 P.M. You never get a second chance to leave a first impression. 

Your Job Is Being Your Best Today

MasterClass's latest instructors are Metallica...a band, a team. 

"It's not all rainbows and unicorns..."

"It's taken a huge toll emotionally..."

"...a mantra for us is whatever's best for the project"

"...after a while you realize it's a real commitment to each other...we need each other to create great things."

Hall of Fame relief pitcher Mariano Rivera's walk-on song was "Enter Sandman." 

Entering the playoffs, your task, together, is to put the other team to sleep. Believe in each other. 

Middlesex Teams Off to Good Start

ML teams have shown mixed strength early on. 4-4 with only one .500 or better team out (Reading)

Division 1 -  Winchester advances, Belmont out, Lexington out

Division 2 -  Woburn, Burlington, Wakefield advance, Reading out, Wilmington out

Yet to play:   Arlington (D1), Melrose (D2), Stoneham (D3)

The Amherst look at the round of 32. 

Bracketology:

Wakefield (20) is the lowest seed to advance to the Sweet 16 with their 3-1 road win over Milford.

Printable brackets

Icebergs

 

Volleyball results are what we see above the waterline. Know that results are subordinate to process, what happens unseen below the surface. 

1. Build brand awareness. Entrepreneur Sara Blakely says, "make it, sell it, build brand awareness." Success feeds on itself, attracting talented athletes. Victoria Crovo was an elite soccer athlete who switched to volleyball and became an All-State player. 

2. Build skill. "Every day is player development day." The Navy SEALs have a saying, "Under pressure you don't rise to the occasion, you sink to the level of your training." Offseason training becomes the standard for top players. 

3. Unrequired work. Do 5 more. Run five more sprints. Do five more lifts. Watch five more minutes of video. 

4. Scouting. Nobody sees the scouting, preparation, and game planning that precedes game operations. "The magic is in the work." 

5. Sacrifice. Everyone wants court time, role, and recognition. But only six players can play at once. Others sacrifice their bodies playing hard in practice and waiting patiently for uncertain opportunity. Shared vision and shared sacrifice fuel shared success. 

Tournament action: Amherst-Pelham topped Chelsea 3-0 to set up their match at Melrose Saturday. John Fleming's Winchester club shutout always tough Acton-Boxborough to advance. 

Free Late Lunch?

Melrose opens its postseason run Saturday at 5 P.M. at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School. Coach Scott Celli shares that he thinks that admission is free until the round of sixteen. 

"This is your team." 

October photograph courtesy of Jen Gentile. 

Performing Under Pressure

Professional golfer Lee Trevino said, "Pressure is playing a five dollar Nassau with two dollars in your pocket." 

Pressure and sports are synonymous. Pressure degrades performance with adverse physiologic input from stress hormones and the "rapid response" center of the brain, the amygdala. But athletes can overcome pressure using proven techniques. 

What matters most?

• Use what works for you. What works for Michael Jordan is irrelevant for you.

Specific suggestions 

• Controlled breathing. "Box breathing" uses a count of four during inhaling, breath holding, exhaling, and breath holding. 
• Music for increased activation or calming. 
• Expansive positioning. "Assuming a big position" lowers stress hormones
• Mental rehearsal - visualize your previous success plays. "Confidence comes from proven success." 
• Think NOW. Next play. Play present. Be here now. 
• Focus on being excited at the opportunity not on outcome. 
• Mindfulness. (It's a learned skill.) 

Here's a summary I wrote from a few years ago of "Performing Under Pressure." 

And another on "Choking." 

Playoffs Kickoff Saturday at 5 PM

Melrose hosts the Amherst-Pelham versus Chelsea play-in winner Saturday at 5 PM. I have not heard whether ticket sales are exclusively online or can be bought at the door. 

The GoFan site currently has no listing

Strength of Schedule

Playing quality regular season competition is critical to postseason success. And Melrose has done that. 

Among the preseason and regular season opponents Melrose faced are:

Division 1

• Newton North (6th)
• Winchester (11th)
• Peabody (14th)
• Arlington (18th)

Division 2

• Woburn (10th)
• Burlington (14th)
• Marblehead (18th)
• Wakefield (20th)

Division 4

• Lynnfield (2nd)

Division 5

• Frontier (2nd) 

Restated, amongst its twenty-two preseason and regular season games, Melrose had twelve (Burlington and Wakefield twice) against top 20 teams in their respective divisions and four against top ten competition. Earning high seeds demands playing and beating top competition. 

Playoff Ball

Teams and players improve through athletic explosion, skill, game understanding, and resilience under adversity. 

When studying video, watch the complex interplay of positioning, the movement of the ball and players and decision-making during the "execution moment." Just as offenses look to create space, defenses look to condense space and time. 

Against better teams with more consistent players, winning points defines success. Good teams give away fewer points - they don't throw games away. They maintain focus to avoid cold streaks defensively and avoid service error streaks. 

Coaches have "pet peeves" like mental errors (balls hitting the floor via lack of communication) or not putting "get me over" hits into play. 

Lagniappe (something extra): keeping plays alive. 

Bracketology

 

Five Middlesex League teams appear in the top 22 of Division 2. 

A Plan Comes Together

The tea leaves are out. This presumes "chalk" except for Melrose...

Melrose is the five seed in Division 2, making this the pathway to the Final Four (I think)...

Round of 32 =  5 v 28 (winner of Chelsea at Amherst-Pelham) - home

Round of 16 =  5 v 12 (likely winner of North Quincy/Mansfield) - home 

Quarters = 5 v 4 (left side of bracket) at Billerica (if they survive Milford/Wakefield winner)

Semis = 5 v 1 (Neutral site, ? Newton)

Finals 

It's a jungle out there. 

12:45 P.M. Only Black Smoke

Postseason fans await the first puffs of white smoke to ascend from the Franklin chimneys of the MIAA. 

Translation: No brackets yet...

And Now We Wait

The regular season fades into cool days of fall and anticipation of the postseason. 

Melrose captures a share or outright Middlesex League division title for the fifteenth consecutive season. 

Freedom Division MVP Elena Soukos finished atop the kill leaders with a pair of All-Star teammates Chloe Gentile and Gia Vlajkovic in the top ten. 

But statistics reset for the postseason and what matters is playing well, staying healthy, and getting a favorable bounce from time to time. 

Game Changers by Fergus Connolly shares how to analyze possessions in any sport. In addition to structure, ball circulation, player movement, and resulting space and timing the final attack depends on:

1) Construction of the attack

2) Penetration of the defense

3) Execution 

The offense chooses how and where to attack and how to displace defenders by attacking the middle, strong side, back side, or from the back row. For example, more attacks from the middle may "pin" the middle defender and make double blocking harder. 

And now we wait for the MIAA rankings and resultant playoff schedule.