September 7, 2021 – By NJP
It’s Opening Night and the results are still being tabulated from today’s games. Wanted to give a few quick shout outs to start the year off right…
What an amazing start for Alexis Pavlinec at Red Bank Catholic. RBC squared off against a very solid Pinelands team and the match went to a tight 3 sets with the Wildcats winning 25-22 in the third. Pavlinec posted 12 kills, 6 blocks, 14 digs and an ace in just a stellar effort for the senior. Despite the loss, #91 RBC gave #45 Pinelands all they could handle and are probably better than the preseason rank. The Casey’s got 12 digs and 2 kills from sophomore Kailie Zebick as well 3 blocks, 5 digs, 2 aces, and 2 kills from junior Claire Cook. Nice win and opening match for Pinelands.
What a performance by Mirka Cordova of Plainfield who posted 15 aces in their straight set win over Hillside. Now that’s someone who knows how to serve!!
Hackettstown edges St. Elizabeth’s 25-23, 25-23 in a super close opening day match. #89 vs #202 would expected a bigger margin here. St. Elizabeth looks better than expected. Clare Farrell lead the way with 4 kills 3 aces, and 3 digs.
Toms River North jumps out of the block quickly with a solid win over Barnegat. NJP had Barnegat as a Top 50 and TRN just outside the top 100 so TRN will be a team to watch early on this Fall.
Woodbridge gets out to a 1-0 start with a three set win over South River. 9 kills from Julia Milevoi leads the way for the Barrons.
The game of the day at the shore pitted #5 St. John Vianney and #49 Donovan Catholic. The Griffins, led by Laine Kulpinski’s 24 assists and 12 kills and 5 aces from Dana Welch, upset the Lancers in three sets in front of the home crowd. Donovan lost so many stars to graduation but appear to have the depth waiting in the wings to keep their winning tradition going strong.
Sidney de Voogd had a super opening match with 7 kills and 2 blocks, leaving off where she started this Spring, but it wasn’t enough to take down Colonia as they battled to three sets. Angelisse Lopez posted 5 kills and 2 blocks and Morgan Williams had 15 digs in the win. Nicole Sullivan had 22 assists in the Colonia win.
Kingsway got 7 aces from Sarah Elliott and 4 kills each from Kennedi Avent and Kassadi Avent to blast by Cedar Creek 25-5, 25-20. The Dragons always have a great program and start their winning ways early.
Rahway looked impressive as they powered by Johnson in straight sets. The UCC will be very competitive this season but it will be tough for both of these squads to keep up with the top tier.
As expected, Jenna Czajkowski of Central Regional, had a dominating game against Mater Dei today with 10 kills and three aces. Ava Varano had 6 aces, Madison Lenox had 5 aces and three kills, and Giavanna Lloyd had three kills in the 25-4, 25-16 win.
In the battle of Gloucester, Tech beats Catholic in straight sets. Alexis Caltabiano had 7 kills and an ace and Kyla Sayson posted 11 assists and a kill. Gabriella Franco slammed 9 aces in the win as well. Great start for the Cheetahs!!
Nice win by St. Rose over Manasquan on opening day. St. Rose received 6 aces and 8 assists from Grace Toscano, 10 digs from Emma Keenan, and 3 kills each from Lauren Caswell, Genna DeLuca, and Kristen Boehmcke. Maeve Durkin added 4 aces as well.
And lastly, Jefferson looked awesome today taking it to Pope John in straight sets. Mackenzie Rock smashed 8 kills and 2 aces, and Emily Carcich had 18 assists and 3 aces, while Maggie Gesek had 4 kills and 7 digs and Gianna Favata had 5 kills and 11 digs. Super start for the Falcons!!
We will have our first ranking this Sunday after week 1. The daily game predictor will kick in soon after that. Looking forward to maintaining our 86% overall win percentage.