By: Mohammed Ramzanali

The Westborough High School girls’ volleyball team has had a strong start to their season despite not having any captains or a lot of seniors. Going 3-0, with two of those matches being three game sweeps, the team looks forward to a successful season but one they have to really earn.

“Our defense is doing really well. I think if we work hard and don’t let up we can accomplish some great things,” says Becky Arena, a junior and starter for the volleyball team. Arena seems very optimistic about the rest of the season, “The team does a really good job of working with each other, especially with some new people out there on the court.”

Teammate Emma Smallcomb, a junior and starter for the team, also seems very hopeful for the rest of the season. Smallcomb states that their win against Shepherd Hill is going to be the main driving force for the team’s success against tougher opponents, “It [the game against Shepherd Hill] forced many different people to play outside their comfort zone and execute under big moments. It definitely prepared all the players on the team for upcoming games. I thought that whoever stepped out on the court tonight played smart and effective getting us the 3-0 win.”

Both Arena and Smallcomb mentioned their next game on Thursday, September 15 against Notre Dame academy as “one of the biggest matches of the regular season.” Last season, the Rangers lost to them in the state finals.

This season, Thursday, they believe that the loss will be a huge motivating factor for the game. “All the preparation we have done so far this year I feel has put us in a good place for Thursdays match,” says Smallcomb.

Arena adds “I think we need to go into this game with a clear head and leave it all out there on the court.”

With big three wins to open the season, immense amounts of preparation, and enough motivation, they believe that they can pull off the upset and not only beat Notre Dame but also any other opponent this season.