Game 6: Melrose 3 Wakefield 0

"All hands on deck." Everyone played at least two sets as Melrose tuned up for today, downing Wakefield 3-0.

Victoria Crovo led the way with a dozen kills.

Snaps

Photographs courtesy of Steve Karampalas

Maxpreps.com comes out with rankings when teams have played a minimum of six games. 

First Look: Pics

Steve Karampalas shares volleyball shots. I'll post a variety. Click to enlarge and see the entire frame.

Melrose looks to retain the grip they've enjoyed on the Middlesex League in volleyball since 2000.

Game 5: Melrose 3 Burlington 0

Melrose extended its unbeaten streak to five with a straight set victory over visiting Burlington.

Season Statistics

Melrose has upped both the quality and the percentage of serves.

Update

Melrose moved to 4-0 with a victory over Wilmington.

Middlesex League standings from Maxpreps.com

Division 2 standings from Maxpreps.com

Kills leaders Division 2.

Game 3: Melrose 3 Lexington 0

Melrose went on the road for the first time this season handling Lexington its first defeat as the Lady Raiders advance to 3-0 overall and in Middlesex League play. 

Junior co-captain Victoria Crovo delivered eleven kills and Hannah Mulcahey nine as Melrose racked up 32 kills. Setters Lily Fitzpatrick and Emily DiPietro each handed out double-digit assists, and the team put up a season high serving percentage of 97 percent. 

The Boston Globe ML volleyball scoreboard. 

Upcoming Schedule

Boston Globe Top 20

Imagine That

Some people play an imaginary game, "if I ruled the world." There's the guy who said, "If I ruled the world, everyone would have to be nice to cats. And if they didn't, ooh, they'd really have it coming. Pow." Not sure that I want to play THAT game. 

But imagine you had two weeks to prepare for the biggest TEST of your life, be it academic, emotional, athletic, psychological. How would you prepare and whom would you want in your corner? 

Whether we realize it or not, we're always preparing for that challenge. What resources are we using? How do we measure progress? What's your process? 

Whether you couldn't care less about basketball, this cross-post might help. A growth mindset, work ethic, and partnering (collaboration and mentoring) belong in your toolbox. 

Latest Update

Melrose defeated Arlington in straight sets, 3-0, at the Middle School Gym.

The team prepares for their biggest challenge to date Monday at Lexington. Melrose defeated Lexington 3-1 last season in their only matchup.

Statistics can be deceiving. The more competitive the match, the higher the number of kills likely. Many teams have played more games around the country as schools often start in mid-August.

Middlesex League statistics from Maxpreps.com.

Lady Raider Notes:  Who are they? The Boston Globe volleyball preview came out today. <crickets>.

Organizational Culture

On the primacy of culture...cross-posted.

Melrose hosts Arlington today sometime around 5:15, following the Junior Varsity game.

Stats from Wednesday's match against Belmont.

Game 1: Melrose 3 Belmont 0

Melrose opened the 2015 volleyball campaign with a 3-0 win over Belmont in the 90 plus degree heat of the Veterans Memorial Middle School Gymnasium. Melrose captured individual sets 25-13, 25-16, 25-8.

It's unfair to call a victory pedestrian amidst the heat and humidity. Belmont returned optimistic after a 16-6 season in 2014. Melrose debuted a new offense, brings youthful experience, and features a plethora of hitters both inside and outside. Any observer would require a much bigger sample size to project the season.

Wherever possible, a more 'macro' view of the match will follow. First, one can analyze the core 'paired skills' of volleyball - serve/serve receive, hitting/blocking, digging/passing (including setting). The opponent and game flow dictate what skills dominate. Tonight, Melrose served aggressively, winning points not only on aces but a host of 'free balls' converted into attacks.

The lions' share of attacks came from co-captains senior Marissa Cataldo and Victoria Crovo, and senior Hannah Mulcahey. The third senior, Meagan Leyne also presents a formidable offensive threat at the net. Setters Lily Fitzgerald and Emily DiPietro showed a lot of consistency setting the outside, middle, and back row. Cat Torpey and Saoirse Connolly chipped in from the opposite.

A host of Melrose servers racked up points for Melrose. Lily, Lydia Lombardo, and Meagan all looked strong on the service line.

The defense wasn't heavily challenged but K-Mac (Kaitlyn MacInnes) was solid at libero, Katie Donovan earned her first varsity start as a defensive specialist, and Victoria and Marissa added value in the back row.

Juniors Bella Federico and Julia Symonds saw action in the middle, and sophomores Jill Mercer, Lydia Lombardo, and Daniela Cataldo showed poise and potential.

Melrose Notes: Melrose hosts Arlington Friday. Sources say that in addition to a revamped offense, Melrose has ramped up conditioning at practice. At least for today, Melrose adopted the 'standing' bench posture. This can occasionally result in a more playable surface along the sidelines.

Here's the early season schedule from Maxpreps.com .

Opening Day for Melrose Volleyball

Melrose opens up the 2015 volleyball campaign today hosting Belmont at 5:15. Last week Melrose had a series of scrimmages including a successful campaign at the Medway play date where they faced some of the perennially tough area teams.

The Way of the Champion

Jerry Lynch writes an inspiring book called The Way of the Champion. He discusses techniques to center yourself, to develop MINDFULNESS, and has an excellent chapter about overcoming adversity.

In this executive book summary, Parin Patel highlights key points.

Scrimmages

Can't get enough volleyball? The rumor mill has it that Melrose scrimmages today and Friday (Lynnfield) at the Middle School Gym. Saturday they travel to Medway for the annual Medway play date where the team matches up in 20-25 minute games with some top area teams.

Thoughts on a New Season

I am not so close to either the players or the coaches to have any opinion whatsoever about the team. Certainly, Coach Celli and his staff return much of the core from last year's team, although valuable players always graduate. So it has ever been, so will it be. 

But certain immutable truths drive results. First, never doubt the importance of attitude - positive attitude, team spirit, and the capacity to fight through adversity. 

“What you really believe about the source of great performance thus becomes the foundation of all you will ever achieve.” 
― Geoff Colvin, Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else

Attitude encompasses your self-talk, visualization, goals, and ability to simulate in practice what you will face in matches.

Second, believe that character distinguishes great teams from excellent ones. 

Character drives your process which informs results. Sometimes you can be outscored yet do your best and claim success. Conversely, you will win matches where you have not done your best. The graphic above comes from Brett Ledbetter's What Drives Winning. 

Third, confidence, appearing as self-trust, defines success. I'm not talking about the fool's gold of selfish bad choices, but the willingness to take the shot when the opportunity arises. Great players make signature plays and have both 'go to' and 'counter' moves. Excellent teams win points. Championships are forged on action. Decision determine destiny. Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski says "basketball is about making plays not running plays." 

Finally, trust your leadership. The four most powerful words you can hear are "I believe in you." Channel that trust into commitment, decisiveness, sacrifice for the team, and persistence. 

Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.

Calvin Coolidge

Enjoy the season. Play hard, play smart, play together, and have fun. 

A Champion's DNA

This contains an excerpt from my basketball blog and a video called "A Champion's DNA" which is part of a basketball CoachingU DVD set. Everything within applies to volleyball, other sports, and your academic performance.

Enjoy.

Melrose Volleyball 2015

The 2015 roster is posted on Maxpreps.com

The team has the usual blend of youth and experience. 

• 3 Seniors
• 7 Juniors
• 5 Sophomores

Melrose has a lot of experience up front both outside (Cataldo, Mulcahey, and Torpey) and inside (Crovo, Leyne, and Federico). Lily Fitzgerald competes at setter with Emily DiPietro, and Kaitlyn MacInnes will be pushed in the back row by a host of youngsters and junior Katie Donovan. 

Opening Day, New Season

Lincoln, Abraham “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.”

Today, volleyball tryouts began. If Forrest Gump applies to volleyball, then "volleyball is like a box of chocolates, you never know for sure what you're going to get."

The summer program saw a large turnout at volleyball camps and four players play on the Bay State regional team - Marissa Cataldo, Victoria Crovo, Kat Torpey, and Kaitlyn MacInnes.

2015 Schedule

The 2015 schedule is out and offers games against battle-tested and highly regarded squads. The marquis home matchup may be NDA (Hingham).