Westborough High's volleyball star has had dad on the sidelines the entire time
WORCESTER - After every game and practice, Westborough coach Roger Anderson pulled his best player aside.
"I love to watch you play," he told Quinn Anderson, his daughter.
He had a front row seat for four years of one of the most remarkable volleyball careers Massachusetts has ever beheld. Quinn Anderson was named Division 2 all-state every year of her high school career. The 2022 Gatorade Massachusetts Volleyball Player of the Year submitted a strong case to repeat. She led the state with 443 kills (second place notched 382) against the toughest schedule in the commonwealth and powered the Rangers to a second straight state championship Saturday in Worcester.
With both Andersons in the program, Westborough won 75 games and the 2021 CMADA Division 1 championship.
"It's definitely something really special to have him there," Quinn Anderson said.
She's been there for him, too. Roger Anderson has coached the Rangers for 26 years. He won the program's first state championship in 2007 when Quinn was a toddler. Westborough returned to the finals in 2013 and 2015, losing to Notre Dame Academy of Hingham both times.
Quinn liked volleyball at a young age
Quinn found volleyball on her own but didn't need much pushing to take up the sport.
"It was definitely something that I just loved. I mean, I've grown up watching the Westborough volleyball program, and just coming to practices seeing them play," She said. "I've just always dreamed of like moments like these, and I'm so grateful to be able to do it."
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She attended the 2017 final where the Rangers broke through and captured title No. 2 with future teammate Addyson Moore.
"She was a gym rat," Roger said. "As little kids do, they were like, 'We're going to do that and be back here again.'"
Roger doesn't take any credit for Quinn's ability. The Stony Brook commit played club volleyball for most of her life and honed her skills and athleticism.
"That's all her. Quinn has gone out and gotten better. She's desperate to be a great person and a great player. Every coach she comes to, she listens and learns from," Roger said. "Everything she has done, she has earned. It's been all about her."
If he sounds more like a proud dad than a coach, that's intentional. Roger first coached Quinn at the club level when she was 10 or 11. They've learned to separate the court from home. He endeavors to treat her no differently than the rest of the roster.
"Sometimes you have a bloody tongue," Roger said, smiling.
When Westborough junior Georgia Tyrell's final swing hit the Worcester State floor to end Westborough's second straight state title run, it completed their time together on the court.
"I've thought about it, but when I think about it I just remember all of the amazing memories that I've made with him and this team," Quinn said. "I'm just so grateful that I got to have those opportunities."
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Volleyball will remain a part of their lives, of course. Quinn has a college career ahead of her. Roger and Westborough can aim for a three-peat.
He didn't think about the match against Canton being their last together until after it ended.
"Oh it hasn't hit me yet. I probably go up there and give her a hug," Roger said. "I’ll probably lose it."
It's about the only thing he lost with her.
Contact Kyle Grabowski at kgrabowski@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @kylegrbwsk.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Quinn Anderson has 'amazing memories' of volleyball with dad coaching
