Former Barnstable star leads MMA volleyball team

October 30, 2015

By John Garner Jr., Cape Cod Times

After a splendid playing career at Barnstable High and Bridgewater State, Melanie Appleman is finishing her first year as women’s volleyball coach at Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

Although the Bucs are struggling with a 4-19 record, the Hyannis native sees light at the end of the tunnel.

“It’s an amazing situation at MMA,” said Appleman.  “Our kids have so many demands on them and we’re going against colleges with much larger female enrollments.  We’re trying to develop an inspired culture and enthusiastic environment that enables us to strive to get better every day, set goals and ultimately achieve them.”

Appleman helped lead Barnstable to a superlative 62-7 record as the Red Raiders, coached by Tom Turco, captured back-to-back state crowns in 2007-08 while advancing to the South final in 2009.

“Coach Turco is a great mentor and somebody I’m still learning from, working at his summer camps last summer,” said Appleman.  “He’s one of the best teachers of the sport and someone who’s been very supportive of me.”

A three-time Old Colony League all-star as setter and libero, Appleman was a four-time all-MASCAC performer and team captain for Bridgewater State, which played for the conference championship her freshman and junior seasons.

Appleman, who earned her degree in strategic communication and nutrition from Bridgewater State in 2014, was also a standout in lacrosse, earning all-conference accolades in 2012-13 while leading the Bears to four straight league titles.

She was inducted into the National College Athlete Honor Society, selected in Who’s Who Among College Students in America and earned MASCAC All-Academic team honors in volleyball and lacrosse while achieving a 3.86 grade point average.

A yoga instructor and strength & conditioning coach, Appleman has worked at the Osterville Fitness and Wellness Center since last year.  While a student at Bridgewater State, she was an intern for the Cape Cod Baseball League and implemented a strategic outreach campaign for the Bears’ athletics department.

Appleman took over for Christine Ratches, who retired from the position after a combined 10 years.  The Bucs are coming off a 3-0 non-league defeat at Bay Path, losing 25-16, 25-22 and 25-10 and finish their season Saturday with a home doubleheader against Westfield State.