Russ Rose Then (2004): “Melissa is a very fresh, young volleyball 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):

2004 Season: NCAA Seattle Regional All-Tournament team … 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 … led the Big Ten in hitting percentage with .407 … 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) … tallied a career-high 15 kills in the three-game 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 four-game loss to UCLA in the NCAA Seattle Regional (12/10) … 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.

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.