Shepherd Hill girls start with impressive 6-0

The Rams Jen Green on the net as Jess Schutrick (#21) looks on

By Steev Riccardo. More Patriot staff photos follow.

DUDLEY – One of the most exciting sports to watch is indoor volleyball and the Shepherd Hill girl’s volleyball team has been supplying much of that excitement locally.

The Rams are off to an incredible 6-0 start fueled by its super senior class, or if you will, “the magnificent seven,” which includes co-captains Jen Green and Julie Priessler along with Sonya Ugrinow, Danielle Watkins, Jess Schutrick, Johanna L’Heureux, and Sarah Zieminski.

Following a huge win over Doherty High School last Friday, the Rams now have a bit of a break with their next match coming October 4 against Tantasqua.  When they return they will be looking to finish strong in their final five matches and in the process lock down a playoff birth and then doing something they have yet to do in their first five seasons with a varsity team, win a playoff game.

“I am pretty happy with the way things have progressed here. There is a lot of interest in the sport in the school now,” said head coach Tom Cafelle, who has been running the program since its inception six years ago. 

“It’s such a great game. I knew once we got this sport here that it would thrive and it has.  We try to work hard every day and we try to grow everyday.  I am very happy to be part of the growth of this sport.”

“We have made the districts every year but have yet to get past the first round. I have seven seniors and they are the heart of the team and they all contribute and we are feeding off that. They are going to carry this team.”

“It’s an awesome experience; it helps me keep focused. I love the program, I love the girls, I love the coach, this is what I want to do in college,” said four-year senior captain Jen Green, who has been one of team’s key performers.

Co-captain and third-year varsity player Julie Priessler, who had never played volleyball ball before and started playing the sport in her freshman year because she thought it would be “fun,” also likes how the team is looking this season and pointed to a recent straight set win over rival Millbury as a key win for her team.  

Priessler hopes that other schools will add volleyball programs. “I think it’s growing as a sport not only in our school but everywhere, I think Bartlett (high school) is trying to get a team together.”

Following their key match-up with Tantasqua, the Rams will meet Algonquin and Shrewsbury and then play Sutton and Tantasqua once again.

The 6-0 Shepherd Hill Rams girls volleyball team

Jen Green with a big spike

Victoria Moriarty (#2) and Adriana Vesovski (#24)

Shepherd Hill volleyball action

For more on girls high school volleyball, check out View From The Sidelines every week in the Patriot and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ViewFromTheSidelines or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your feedback and comments.