VOLLEYBALL: BARNSTABLE 3, NOTRE DAME ACADEMY 0

Barnstable spikes win record

By Jack McCluskey, Globe Correspondent | September 22, 2007

HYANNIS - Notre Dame Academy coach Josh Shepherd popped "Miracle" into the bus's entertainment system on the way to Hyannis yesterday. The choice was fitting, since a miracle might be the only way anyone can beat the Barnstable Red Raiders.

With last night's 3-0 victory, the Barnstable girls' volleyball team set a state record for consecutive wins with 105, breaking the mark set by Swansea 's Case High in 1991.

With more than 500 fans watching and cheering, Barnstable endured a slow start to sweep Notre Dame of Hingham , 25-19, 25-6, 25-9.

Asked what the record-setting win meant, coach Tom Turco said, "It means we're 6-0. That's what it means."

The match was scheduled as a home game for Notre Dame, but at the request of Barnstable athletic director Steve Francis, Notre Dame agreed to play in Hyannis .

"It seemed like the right thing to do," said Shepherd.

The record Barnstable set? "It's pretty impressive," said Shepherd, before adding with a laugh, "I'll tip my hat to them and say that they're good. They're fantastic."

The Cougars, who practiced with simulated crowd noise to learn to play in a hostile environment, were not intimidated initially. After Barnstable senior Kara Cullen started the scoring with one of her 14 kills, Notre Dame used a hit by Rebecca Gwaltney and two errors by the Red Raiders to take the next 3 points. The teams exchanged runs, and Notre Dame led, 10-6, before a 5-0 Barnstable run put the Red Raiders up to stay.

Using strong hits from Cullen and Stephanie Bristol, strong passing by setter Amanda Parker - including several spectacular sprawling digs - and tight overall defense, the Red Raiders were never really threatened after the middle of the first game. Kathleen Colpoys, who led the Notre Dame offense in kills, had Barnstable scrambling early, but Cullen and the defense adjusted.

"They played a good game," said Cullen, a middle hitter and captain. "We were really nervous going into the game, and so it had to do with that. I think once the game went on, we got more confident and felt more comfortable."

There were nerves involved, Cullen said, but it was more about the crowd than the streak.

"For us, it was just our sixth game," Cullen continued. "We don't really think about the record that much."

Turco, who has compiled a 427-43 record in 20 seasons, said his team has been through this before. "We had a winning streak that was at 90, and the one thing I learned from that is that you play for this year.

"You don't play for anything that's in the past."

Parker, a captain, agreed. "It feels good to win, but all the other girls from all the other teams get a lot of credit. We just happened to be here for this win."

While the real reward for setting the streak may not sink in right away, a more immediate one was awaiting the Raiders: a congratulatory cake.

Victory is sweet.