In volleyball, Rangers play above the rest
By Ken Powers Contributing Writer

Westborough - The sport of volleyball doesn't receive the attention of some of its fall counterparts - football, soccer and field hockey - but the Rangers have quietly made it a sport of significance at Westborough High.

The Rangers have begun this season they way they finished the last two regular seasons - by winning. Westborough entered play this week having won 40 consecutive regular-season matches, a streak that dates back to Oct. 12, 2005.

Last year, after a 20-0 regular season, the Rangers lost to eventual Division 2 state champion Medfield High in a sectional final. In 2005, Westborough lost in the postseason to the eventual Division 1 champion that year, Marlborough High.

Including this season's 13-0 start, the Rangers are 50-3 in the regular season since the start of the 2005 season and 53-5 overall.

"In our team philosophy, having fun is at the top of the list," Westborough coach Roger Anderson said. "If we can combine that with winning some matches, too, then that's even better."

This year's edition of the team is led by six seniors - tri-captains Mina Baban, Christina Carr and Danielle Coffey, along with Caitlin Piper, Kristin Collins and Alexa Ebert. Baban is a setter, Carr and Piper are outside hitters, Coff ey is the middle hitter, Collins the right-side hitter and Ebert the defensive specialist better known as the libero. Baban and Coffey were all-state selections following last season.

Juniors on the roster are Jessie Bready, Gayle Heim, Austin Murray and Kayla Volpe. Bready is a middle hitter, Murray a right-side hitter, Volpe an outside hitter and Heim a libero.

Sophomores on the team are Sarah Barnes, Kasey Kraus, Aoife Feighery and Leah Ryan. Feighery and Ryan are outside hitters, Kraus a middle hitter and Barnes a libero.

"We don't have a feeder program, but we run summer camps and clinics for girls in grades four through eight through the town's Recreation Department, which is very supportive of the program," Anderson said. "Another big plus is that there's enough interest in the sport at the high school level that we're able to field a freshman, junior varsity and varsity team. In addition, the girls play a lot of out-of-season volleyball. They're certainly not mandatory, but it really accelerates their development."

On a team of talented players, Coffey and Baban stand out.

"Danielle is an exceptional player," Anderson said. "To begin with, she's tall, but complementing that is her vertical leap, which is as good as any player on the team. She does what she has to be successful. She works hard at making herself better. She's not just a tall kid who plays volleyball."

Anderson, who is in his ninth season has the Rangers head coach, said Coff ey plans to play the sport at the collegiate level as well, with Clark, Stonehill and the University of New Hampshire all possible college choices.

"As for Mina, she is, in my opinion, the best setter in the state," Anderson said,

and Danielle benefits greatly from that. Mina puts the ball in places that give her teammates the best opportunity to be effective. She seems to always know where the blockers are when she has the ball."

Anderson said New York University and Syracuse University are possible college options for Baban, who also plans to play the sport in college.