Russ Rose Then (2004): “Melissa is a very fresh, young volleyball player who physically can play at a very high level because of her size. She has long arms and big hands and is going to be a formidable player at the net. In addition to that, she has nice ball-handling skills. She is a better blocker than she is offensive player, but with the rally score game, there are going to be opportunities to use her wisely and we might be able to generate some points. We worked with her as a camper and I really enjoy her. She is energetic, enthusiastic, and most importantly, she really wanted to be a Penn State volleyball player.”
Russ Rose Now (2025): “Melissa is a great example of a selfless human being, because she was an All-American middle blocker, and after Ari Wilson came in, and transitioned into that starting middle blocker position, the beauty of Mel is she was instrumental in helping Ari Wilson develop. Mel was All Big 10 and All American because she was a terrific blocker and hit for a high percentage — she was a Second Team All American as a sophomore. She was always battling a sore back, but she was durable, and she played hard. At times, she was at the top of our team and the Conference for blocking as well as attacking. But she was somewhat overshadowed by the future Olympians and National Team players like Christa Harmotto and Megan Hodge and Nicole Fawcett. So much of our success was based on the contributions and sacrifices that people like Melissa and others made for the benefit of the team. It’s really hard to find somebody that would go from being an All-American starting player to altering their position on the team. I have a warm spot in my heart for Mel.”
2004 Season (Freshman) Highlights and Awards: NCAA Seattle Regional All-Tournament team … led the Big Ten in hitting percentage with .407
Season Recap: Played in 26 matches and 70 games including 17 Big Ten contests and all three NCAA Tournament matches … averaged 2.29 kills per game and 1.24 blocks per game … ended the year hitting a team-best .418 … recorded an average of 1.50 blocks per game in conference-only matches to lead the league … twice posted 10 blocks in a match, including versus then-No. 1 Minnesota (10/2) and at Michigan State (11/26) … attacked at a .300 clip or better in 17 contests including a career-high .714 (10-0-14) against Maryland-Baltimore County (9/7), also the highest individual attack percentage on the squad for the season … posted at least one block in 22 matches including 14 of the last 15 … recorded 18 multiple-block matches including 13 of the last 15 matches.
NCAA Tournament: Tallied a career-high 15 kills in the 3-set win over Maryland in the first round of the NCAA Tournament (12/4) while attacking at a .636 clip (15-1-22) … tied career high with 15 kills in the 4-set loss to UCLA in the NCAA Seattle Regional (12/10)
Before Penn State: Four-time volleyball letterwinner at Pennsbury High School in Fairless Hills, Pa. … team captain during senior season for the Falcons … compiled a record of 82-12 during scholastic tenure … member of the Suburban One League championship team in 2000, 2002 and 2003 … team won the district championship in 2003 and was a AAA Pennsylvania state finalist in 2003 for the first time in school history … named the Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year and a Prepvolleyball.com All-American in 2003 … tabbed as a first team All-State selection in 2002 and 2003 … 2003 Philadelphia Inquirer Player of the Year … two-time Courier Times Player of the Year … named a Volleyball Magazine ‘Fab 50’ selection in 2003 … two-time District One first team selection, Courier Times Golden Team first team and Suburban One League First team … National Honor Society member … member of the high honor roll all four years of high school … named one of Pennsbury High School’s ‘Best and Brightest’ by the Trentonian … received the National Scholar Athlete Award from the U.S. Army Reserve.