After Up and Down 2009, Rams Poised to Learn from Mistakes

Play hard start to finish.

That's all Shawsheen Tech volleyball coach Chet Flynn asks of his players.

Following an up and down 11-9 2009 season, Flynn knows that his team needs to avoid the same "inconsistency" problems that plagued them a year ago.

But now that his team is more experienced, he knows that they're ready to step up and take on the challenges they will undoubtedly encounter in 2010.

Flynn has high hopes for the Lady Rams, a squad he sees as being a defensive stalwart with "enough offensive power to make a run at the league." He admits that as a whole, his team is a little undersized and might be outmatched at the net, but he remains very positive heading into the season.

And he has every right to be optimistic with the talent he has.

The Rams will be led by senior captains Jess Houghton of Billerica and Allyson Trayan of Tewksbury. Houghton is a CAC All-Star setter that Coach Flynn said "could be our best hitter if we didn't need her where she is." As for Trayan, she is a "natural leader that works hard, stays focused, and brings a great attitude along with her ability."

Along with Trayan and Houghton, Shawsheen has veteran leadership returning in seniors Katie Vultaggio of Tewksbury, Laura Sorensen, and Taryn Temmallo of Tewksbury. Both Vultaggio and Sorensen started in 2009, issuing steady performances throughout the course of the year. Temmallo, however, will be seeing her first heavy load of varsity action as the team's libero, or defensive specialist.

Flynn's squad also has two new promising newcomers in junior middle hitter Nicole Kakleas out of Wilmington and sophomore Kellsey Davey from Billerica, a middle hitter/blocker.

The Rams know they have their work cut out for them, though. Among other stiff competition, they'll have to go through rival Whittier Tech, who knocked them out of the playoffs last year after splitting their matches in the regular season. Flynn acknowledges that in order to beat Whittier, they have to take care of their 6'1" middle-hitter. If they can negate her, they have a good chance.

All in all, the team is looking to make a run in 2010 with the experience they've gained over the past few years. The seniors have been around since freshman year, and first-year assistant coach Jessica Cook is "very excited about the season." "The girls have already put forth an incredible effort already, and their energy is inspiring."

Shawsheen Tech begins their season on Sept. 14 at Chelsea at 3:30 p.m.

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