Rebecca Caballero Paces
Finley Volleyball
Rebecca Caballero turned in a sensational season for the J. Taylor Finley Middle School girls' volleyball team. The eighth grader led the squad in hustle, tough serves and spiking ability.
Finley compiled a 1-9 mark under head coach Lynn Hefele. Eighth graders Katherine Meyers, Leanne Daly, Shannon Maloney, Jessica-Rose Greene, Theresa Moreno, Grace Curran, Emma Pipolo and Sarah James and seventh graders Isabella Piccola, Rachel Moss and Amy Visser were counted among the top players on the Falcon roster.
Finley boasted 31 players, including 13 eighth graders and 18 seventh graders. "Only eight players were returning from the previous season," Hefele said. The seventh graders were divided into two squads and alternated games.
"This team was a pleasure to coach," Hefele said. "Every player on the team was respectful and hard working." The season began in November and ran into mid-January.
The highlight of the season came in a 3-2 victory over Hauppauge. "The whole team stepped up their serving and passing," Hefele said. "We were able to pass, set and spike and serve-receive. Everyone played without hesitation and communicated." Finley won at least one game in nine-of-ten meets.
Meyers, Daly, Pipolo and James displayed consistent serving throughout the season. Moreno, Maloney, Moss and Piccola "took the team to the next level at the end of the season with their developing setting skills," Hefele said. Curran and Visser emerged as leading middle hitters and "have the instincts to become strong blockers and hitters in the near future," the coach said.
Looking ahead to next winter, the Falcons are expected to be much more competitive. "There is a ton of talent at the seventh grade level," Hefele said. "If they are able to play in the off-season and go to camps, they could come back next season and surprise the league."
Hefele said that Moss and Piccola "who have solid skills and a great feel for the game," are among the "players to watch" for next year. The group also includes Visser, Isabella McGinniss, Katie Seccafico, Lindsay Saginaw, Charlotte Brosoff, Elizabeth Pawlak and Emma Greenhill.